The American Society for Public Administration is the largest and most prominent professional association for public administration. It is dedicated to advancing the art, science, teaching and practice of public and non-profit administration. ASPA’s four core values are Accountability and Performance, Professionalism, Ethics and Social Equity.

Professionalism is promoted through chapters and sections. Members have an opportunity to advance their careers by becoming involved in their local public administration community. Additionally, members gain exposure to major public service issues by joining ASPA’s 21 sections. These sections focus on finance, budgeting, human resources, health and human services, ethics and more. Sections provide additional networking opportunities through conferences and other professional development activities. They also have a variety of award and scholarship opportunities.

ASPA’s Center for Accountability and Performance (CAP) addresses the requirement for all levels of government to move to performance-based, results-driven management, through education, training, advocacy, technical assistance, resource sharing and research.
Additionally, ASPA provides three publications for its members. The PA TIMES is a monthly newspaper that focuses on issues in public management and the best practices in the field of public administration. The Bridge is ASPA’s biweekly newsletter that details the organization’s latest news as well as current news in the public service field. The Public Administration Review (PAR) is ASPA’s premier publication. It is a bimonthly scholarly journal that links theory and public management practice together.

ASPA promotes ethics and integrity in public service and governance worldwide. ASPA has a Code of Ethics in which it implores it members to adhere to while working in the field of public service. Also, through membership in ASPA’s Section on Ethics, members can access a variety of resources including the leading ethics journal in the field, Public Integrity, and Ethics Today, an award-winning electronic newsletter.

ASPA promotes dialogue on social equity issues in all areas of public service such as public budgeting, government hiring practices, diversity in academia and others. Additionally, each year at the national conference, ASPA hosts the Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Award Luncheon where it honors a public administrator who has distinguished him or herself in achieving fairness, justice and equity in government.