Washington, DC - U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Dan G. Blair, today announced OPM recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with American University (AU). The MOA formalizes the existing relationship between OPM and AU and allows for a joint sponsorship of a prestigious Executive Master of Public Administration degree.

"By joining American University in this effort, we are taking a bold new step in ensuring the best and the brightest go further in their service to America," said Blair. "Establishing a strong leadership core for the future of the civil service is vital to making sure the important work of the government gets done. It also offers significant opportunities to all those who complete the program."

The program is intended to improve the leadership and executive competencies of selected Federal employees and recognizes certain courses taken at OPM's Management Development Centers or Federal Executive Institute. OPM and AU will work jointly to provide a course of study for mid-level public sector managers to obtain a Master in Public Administration degree.

The MOA's initial term will last for five years and OPM and AU will collaborate in ongoing review and improvement efforts to ensure the program maintains the high standards of both institutions.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.