Academics

The MPA curriculum consists of the following components:

Core courses: 33 units
Electives: 9 units
Total: 42 units

The MPA Program prepares students to accomplish the five following goals:

  1. to lead and manage in the public interest;
  2. to participate in, and contribute to, the policy process;
  3. to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment;
  4. to articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective;
  5. to communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large.

All MPA core and elective courses are three (3) credit units each. All bridge courses are two (2) credit hours.

The MPA program offers students the opportunity to specialize by completing units within a substantive subject area:

  • Public Management
  • Criminal Justice Policy and Administration
  • Health Care Policy and Administration
  • Nonprofit Management 

To earn the Master of Public Administration degree, all students must complete all required courses with grades of C or higher with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.