Program Overview

Master of Public Administration

The accelerated Master of Public Administration Distance Learning program is offered by CSULB's Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration in partnership with the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE). The convenient format of the distance learning MPA, which uses synchronous online instruction, allows working professionals to complete the program in a short period of time without career interruption.

Degree Program

This program is designed to provide a diverse student population with the professional competencies necessary for leadership and management roles in public service, and in community-based and nonprofit organizations. The program emphasizes the theory, practice, skills, and ethics necessary to promote excellence in public service management.

Program Structure

Program participants proceed through a sequence of pre-selected courses as a learning team. The course components are delivered online in weekly online synchronous sessions. In addition to these weekly synchronous sessions, students will also attend an online synchronous session on the first and last Saturday of each course. These synchronous online sessions are also complemented with asynchronous instruction via Canvas.

College and Department

• College: Health and Human Services
• Department: Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration
• Accreditation: Network of Schools of Public Policy Affairs and Administration

Application Period

• Spring admission only. For Fall admission, please visit the campus MPA website's Public Policy and Administration page.

Program Details

• Students enrolled in this program are eligible for some forms of financial aid, with the exception of the State University Grant (SUG) and Cal Vet College Fee Waiver.
• GI Bill benefits can be used for this program.
• Out-of-state students who do not reside in California are not eligible to enroll in this fully online program.

Ideal Candidates

• Professionals working in the public sector
• Public managers and administrators
• City managers and public officials
• Individuals who desire advanced management skills/knowledge and would like to have the ability to move up within their agency

Features and Benefits

• Accredited program
• Six-week sessions and courses offered in a sequential accelerated format
• Cohort learning team
• Courses taught by CSULB faculty with years of academic and professional experience
• Complete the program in as few as 22 months
• Degree offers a blend of leadership and management expertise
• Professional network of over 1,700 CSULB MPA graduates in Southern California and the nation

Learning Outcomes

• How to lead public and nonprofit organizations
• Skills and techniques to manage human resources
• Financial management and budget analysis techniques
• How to define and solve practical problems in the public sector
• How to communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups
• The roles of public and nonprofit sector organizations in American government
• How to structure and manage complex public and nonprofit organizations

Program Requirements

The MPA degree requires 39 semester units of graduate course work. Students are required to have a computer with web access (broadband access preferred) and a current web browser.

Required Courses

• A minimum of 24 units of 500/600 level courses in PPA, 15 units of elective course work, and the completion of the student learning portfolio.
• PPA 500, Foundations of Public Policy and Administration
• PPA 555, Government Budgeting and Finance
• PPA 577, Public Sector Personnel Administration
• PPA 660, Seminar in Organization Theory and Behavior
• PPA 670, Seminar of Policy Issue Analysis
• PPA 696, Research Methods in Public Administration
• PPA 697, Directed Research

Elective Courses

• PPA 535 Intergovernmental Relations
• PPA 570, Negotiating Dynamics: Strategies and Skills
• PPA 512 Urban Executive Management
• PPA 540 Grants Administration
• PPA 610, Seminar in Urban Affairs

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college.
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.0. An applicant not meeting this minimum requirement, but with managerial experience, may be given special consideration by the Center Admissions Committee.
• Official copy of all college/university transcripts (in addition to those provided to the university), including transcripts showing a BA or BS degree.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in public service, or a career goal of employment in government or nonprofit organizations.
• Two letters of recommendation from persons who are able to testify to the student's academic ability. Letters can be from a current or former professor and/or a current or former supervisor.

How to Apply

To apply to the MPA program, you must submit two applications. You will apply to both the University and the Department.

Instructors

• David C. Powell, Program Director, Master of Public Administration
• David Armijo, Adjunct Professor
• Adam M. Butz, Assistant Professor
• Phil Gonshak, Director of Public Safety Strategy, Skydio
• Edward J. Martin, Professor
• Melissa Mathews, Associate Professor
• Tina Zhao, Assistant Professor & Graduate Advisor, Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration, CSULB

Program Cost

• $500 per unit / $1,500 per course
• Total Program Cost: $19,500
• Location: Online
• Fees listed are for the academic year and are subject to change.