Professional organizations are important because they promote the highest standards of the profession. Membership in these organzations is also valuable because they provide networking opportunities .
Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management: APPAM is dedicated to improving public policy and management by fostering excellence in research,analysis, and education.
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration: "is an institutional membership organization which exists to promote excellence in public service education. The membership includes U.S. university programs in public affairs, public policy, public administration and nonprofit management."
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis is a multidisciplinary research unit that promotes economic, social, and political development by providing research and technical assistance to client organizations.
Additional university and government sponsored policy study centers in Massachusetts
The Center for Public Policy and Administration is the hub of interdisciplinary public policy research, teaching, and engagement at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Boston Center for Social Policy (CSP) provides expertise on policies and practices that reduce social and economic inequities
The Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy Center conducts interdisciplinary research, in collaboration with civic leaders and scholars both within and beyond Northeastern University
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's New England Public Policy Center's mission is to promote better public policy in New England by conducting and disseminating objective, high-quality research and analysis of strategically identified regional economic and policy issues
