In post-December Bucharest, during a period of institutional reconstruction and an urgent need for professionals who could understand the mechanisms of modern governance, the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) was founded in 1991. Inspired by models from France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, SNSPA was never intended to be a “classic” university. It was conceived as a training ground for a new administrative and political elite.

The first programs were exclusively postgraduate, designed for professionals already working in administration, diplomacy, and the media — people drawn to the idea that politics and governance could be treated as serious professions grounded in research, ethics, and academic rigor. The institution’s founder, Vasile Secăreș, served as rector for more than a decade, laying the foundations for a solid academic structure.

From a reform project to a comprehensive university

In 1995, SNSPA obtained the right to run undergraduate programs in political science, public administration, and communication and public relations. Over the years, new specializations were added — international relations, management, advertising, as well as English-taught programs designed for international students.

Today, the university is structured into four faculties — Public Administration, Political Science, Communication and Public Relations, Management — and a Department of International Relations and European Integration. SNSPA offers all three cycles of higher education: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies. Its academic programs are widely recognized for their relevance to current political and social realities.

A modern campus with an international outlook

Since 2014, SNSPA has operated in a modern headquarters on Bulevardul Expoziției, close to the Romexpo complex. The building houses spacious lecture halls, multimedia rooms, IT labs, and facilities for extracurricular activities, reflecting the institution’s focus on providing education in line with European standards.

International openness is one of SNSPA’s strategic priorities. The university is an active member of European academic networks, maintains numerous Erasmus+ partnerships, and regularly hosts major events such as the CIVICA European Week, international conferences, and honorary doctorate ceremonies for figures such as Frederick Kempe of the Atlantic Council.

A university connected to real-world practice

Unlike many other institutions, SNSPA has built a profile where theory is consistently complemented by practice. Many of its lecturers are active professionals — current or former public officials, diplomats, journalists, and consultants — who bring real-world case studies and firsthand experience into the classroom. Students benefit from internships in government institutions, NGOs, embassies, and consulting firms, both in Romania and abroad.

A role in shaping society

In over three decades of existence, SNSPA has trained thousands of graduates who now hold key positions in ministries, European institutions, international organizations, and the private sector. The university has taken on the mission of preparing leaders capable of driving change, communicating transparently, and contributing to the consolidation of a democratic and efficient state.

SNSPA remains a significant presence in Romania’s academic landscape — a relatively young institution compared to the country’s traditional universities, yet mature in its vision, connected to the present, and oriented toward the future.