Degrees & Programs
MPA Program
Welcome to the Masters in Public Administration (MPA) program.
The MPA program is designed with a professional emphasis; and provides graduate students with a broad knowledge of public administration as well as competency in the administrative processes of government. The program also develops the studen't ability to apply acquired knowledge and leadership techniques to the solution of public policy problems. Along with the general MPA degree, the Department offers the MPA with an option in Public Works Administration and Urban Affairs. There are also certificate programs in Employer-Employee Relations and Personnel Management, Public Management Analysis, and Public Sector Financial Management.
Five Core Competencies
- To lead and manage in public governance;
- To participate in and contribute to the public policy process;
- To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions;
- To articulate and apply a public service perspective;
- To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce end citizenry.
The application process consists of two separate application forms. One application is submitted online at Cal State Apply and the other to the Department. Both application processes must be complete before you can begin the MPA program.
University requirements for admission as a graduate student are listed in the CSULB catalog.
Visit Cal State Apply to apply to the university (there is a $55 applications fee). You will need to submit one official transcript from all colleges and universities attended. Transcripts are NOT required if you completed your undergraduate degree at CSULB.
For consideration for admission to the MPA program, you must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and have maintainedan undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of no less than 3.0 or 3.0 in your last 60 semester (90 quarter) units. If you do not meet these requirements, but do have management, technical, or professional experience your application may be reviewed by the Department's Admission Committee for special consideration. Your application will be evaluated in terms of your previous academic and employment performance, promise as a graduate student and as a leader in some field of public administration, and commitment to develop, pursue, and perform effectively in a career in public administration.
To be considered for admission to the MPA program, you must submit the following documents to the Department (in addition to any documents you submit to the University):
- MPA application
- Two letters of recommendation from former professors or from job supervisors
- Personal statement concerning your reasons for wanting to obtain the MPA degree and for pursuing a career in the public sector (one to two pages in length)
Letters of recommendation can be turned in with your application packet, mailed separately, or emailed to the Administrative Coordinator (there is no form). Your application file must be complete before you will be considered for admission tot he MPA program.
Applications
Application Filing Period
- Fall: October 1st - June 1st
- Spring: August 1st - November 1st
International Students Filing Period
- Fall: October 1st - April 1st
- Spring: August 1st - October 1st
The Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration does not currently offer assistantships within the department.
However, university financial aid is available through the Financial Aid Office.
The Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration awards the Pi Alpha Alpha scholarship to qualifying students annually.
The on-campus and distance learning MPA programs are accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) through 2023. NASPAA is the national accreditation body for graduate public affairs programs in the United States and internationally.
NASPAA Accreditation is a voluntary, peer review process, which signals that a program has undergone a rigorous mission- and outcomes-based process, and made a long-term commitment to providing the best in public service education. Programs seeking accreditation must be in substantial compliance with the standards of education for the field. The accreditation process is designed to foster continuous assessment and improvement, even after accreditation has been achieved.
Pursuing and earning a master’s degree in public policy, affairs, or administration is a significant investment in yourself, and your potential. NASPAA Accreditation verifies that your degree meets the standards of the public service education field, ensuring a foundation for future success.
Graduating from a NASPAA-accredited program:
- Confirms your education is based in field-wide standards of quality
- Assures future employers that you have been well-prepared for the profession
- Enhances employment opportunities
NASPAA accreditation ensures that students have received training and education in the following five competency areas:
- to lead and manage in public governance;
- to participate in and contribute to the policy process;
- to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions;
- to articulate and apply a public service perspective;
- to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.
A roster of NASPAA accredited programs may be found at: https://accreditation.naspaa.org/resources/roster-of-accredited-programs/
To Lead and Manage in Public Governance:
- Articulate the basic elements of the sub-fields of public policy and administration (PPA 500);
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional growth and career goals in public personnel management (PPA577);
- Critically examine organizational literature (PPA660);
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of program evaluation and the use of professional and ethical judgment (PPA696);
- In-depth exploration of selected topics in PPA 697 Case Studies or Project
To Participate in and Contribute to the Policy Process:
- Apply major theories of public administration and public policy (PPA 500);
- Demonstrate knowledge of the process of budgeting (PPA555);
- Identify basic concepts and techniques in policy analysis (PPA 670);
- Demonstrate competency in policy analysis (PPA 670);
- Apply policy analysis concepts and techniques to case studies (PPA 670);
- In-depth exploration of selected topics in PPA 697 Case Studies or Project
To Analyze, Synthesize, Think Critically, Solve Problems, and Make Decisions:
- Demonstrate proper budget formats and techniques of preparation and presentation (PPA 555)
- Apply knowledge of the history of pubic personnel systems to analyze human resource management issues (PPA577);
- Developing an analytical mind (PPA 660);
- Demonstrate competency in policy analysis (PPA 670);
- Apply policy analysis concepts and techniques to case studies (PPA 670);
- Demonstrate competency in techniques of program evaluation; logic models; application of techniques; and critiques of program evaluation reports (PPA 696);
- In-depth exploration of selected topics in PPA 697 Case Studies or Project
To Articulate and Apply a Public Service Perspective:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose and logic of public finance (PPA555);
- Understand contemporary personnel management (PPA577);
- Demonstrate competency in policy analysis (PPA 670);
- Demonstrate the importance of program evaluation in public management (PPA696);
- In-depth exploration of selected topics in PPA 697 Case Studies or Project
To Communicate and Interact Productively with a Diverse and Changing Workforce and Citizenry:
- Functional applications of personnel management (PPA577);
- Applied policy analysis presentation and recommendations (PPA670);
- Applied program evaluation proposal and presentation (PPA 696);
- In-depth exploration of selected topics in PPA 697 Case Studies or Project
