MPA Program

Master of Public Administration
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is a broad program designed to prepare students for a career in administration in the public sector. The major objective is to provide the student with a generalist perspective of public administration, including tools of decision-making, an understanding of the total public administrative system, and a capacity for working within the public environment. The program is open to all students, regardless of undergraduate major.

The MPA at CSUSB is offered in both regular face to face and in online classes. [Some classes are offered through a hybrid format of both face to face and online.] All classes are offered each year in both formats so students can take their program completely online or completely face to face or a combination. While students may take all their classes online, the Comprehensive Exams must be taken on campus.

Each year, an annual schedule is posted which shows what classes are offered in each format. View the current AY 2011-2012 Course Schedule HERE

MPA Graduate Advisor:
Dr. Jonathan Anderson
jfanders@csusb.edu
(909) 537-5759
Jack Brown Hall, Room 456

 

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Requirements (48 units; 12 classes)

Degree Requirements (48 units)

General program structure (Fall 2011 and on):
1. PA 603. Research Methods in Administration (4)
2. PA 611. Public Administration Theory and Practice (4)
3. PA 615. Public Financial Management (4)

4. PA 650. Public Sector Management of Information Systems (4)
5. PA 662. Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (4)
6. PA 663. Public Budgeting and Finance (4)
7. PA 664. Management of Public Organizations (4)
8. PA 672. Administrative Regulation (4)
9. PA 680. Public Policy Analysis (4)
10. Twelve units of electives to be chosen from any Department of Public Administration 500- or 600-level courses in consultation with an advisor or from related fields with advance approval from the chair of the Department of Public Administration. No more than twelve units may be taken from 500- level courses.
11. PA 999. Comprehensive Examination (0) *

Students must successfully complete requirements 1-10 in order to register for the comprehensive examination.

*Students may petition for a graduate research project option through the graduate advisor. This option requires the production of an original applied research project and a paper of a minimum of 75 pages. Students should be sure to seek permission early in their program of study to avoid adding a year or more to their course of studies.

Advancement to Candidacy

To be advanced to candidacy, a student must have:

1. Achieved classified standing;

2. Completed at least 20 quarter units of applicable graduate-level course work at the university, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 ("B");

3. Completed an approved graduate program plan in consultation with an M.P.A. advisor after achieving classified status;

4. Secured the approval of candidacy from the M.P.A. Graduate Director and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Requirements for Graduation

1. A minimum of 48 quarter units of acceptable graduate-level work, consistent with the program plan (with a grade point average of 3.0), with at least 36 units completed at this university;

2. At least 28 quarter units of credit taken after advancement to candidacy for the degree;

3. Successful completion of the required core and elective courses within a period of seven years from the date of admission. No more than 12 units of graduate credit earned in unclassified/conditionally classified standing may be counted toward meeting the requirements for the degree.

4. Students are expected to be continuously enrolled in classes (Fall, Winter, Spring) until they complete their degree. If a student is not able to enroll during a quarter they must apply for a leave of absence or they will be dropped from the program.

5. A grade point average of 3.0 ("B") in all course work taken after admission to conditionally classified or classified status, and grades of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses in the program;

6. Students must pass an integrative comprehensive examination of their learning during their program of study. Click HERE for the 2011-2012 Comprehensive Exam Question Pool. The exams may be taken any Fall, Winter, or Spring term after advancement to candidacy. Students with a grade point average below 3.0 ("B") will not be permitted to take the examination.

A student who does not pass may repeat the examination, one additional time, with the written approval of the Department's MPA Graduate Director.

OR

A very small number of students choose to do a graduate research project in lieu of the comprehensive exams. If you are interested in this option, please contact the graduate advisor.

7. Students must apply for a Graduation Requirement Check for the quarter that they plan to complete all of their requirements up to 9-12 months in advance with the office of Records, Registration, and Evaluations. Click HERE for Graduation Requirement Check details.

8. Make sure you review the 23 points MPA advising letter. Download HERE