MPA Course Requirements

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Foundation Courses

Two courses (6 units) may be taken as an undergraduate student.

This seminar provides an introduction to applied research and basic statistical techniques for decision-making in public administration and the management of health care and nonprofit agencies. The course covers experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental research designs; measurement; data gathering techniques and sources, including survey research; and the analysis, evaluation, and communication of research findings. The course involves identification of a research question, secondary research, selection of an appropriate quantitative or qualitative design, and preparation of a research proposal. The course will also cover statistical analysis through linear regression. Serves as the undergraduate PPA statistics requirement and MPA and MSHCA foundation course. Students should have familiarity with interval level statistics. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.
This course examines the public policy-making process at the federal, state, and local levels. Students will explore problem definition, agenda setting, policy formulation, policy legitimation, policy implementation, and policy evaluation. The course allows students to explore individual policies across multiple writing assignments (for example, opinion editorials, policy memoranda, and research papers). Students receive instruction and constructive feedback in writing. Prerequisite: Junior or higher and completion of GE A2. Satisfies general education requirement GWAR.
This graduate seminar introduces and examines a variety of environmental forces, including social/sociological, micro/macroeconomics, political, constitutional/ legal, that shape public administration. It discusses and analyzes the essential theories, principles, structures and trends in those areas that affect American public policy and administration and provides a foundation for further graduate study of public administration and provides a foundation for further graduate study of public administration. May be taken as a senior elective with department approval.
This course deals with the application of research methods to the evaluation of social service programs, particularly in health and human service agencies. This form of research provides knowledge of and about services, identifies the intended and unintended consequences of service interventions, and contributes information for policy decisions. Furthermore, program evaluation is an action-based form of research and, therefore, this course is designed as an action-based learning experience. Prerequisite: PPA 4010 (grade of B or higher).

Core Courses

All 6000 level courses required CLASSIFIED standing.

This graduate core seminar provides an in-depth study of the personnel and civil service systems in the federal, state, and local governments and in nonprofit and health care organizations. Review of the methods of recruitment, promotion, discipline, and termination are explored through case studies, discussion, and simulations. Contemporary issues in collective bargaining and labor relations are extensively explored. Prerequisite: Classified standing.
This graduate seminar provides a survey of current public policies, principles, and issues in public and healthcare finance and budgeting. Topics may include economic functions and goals of public and healthcare entities; public and healthcare fiscal policies; revenues and taxation; debt; public and healthcare budgeting trends; and financial methods related to the management of public and healthcare institutions. Prerequisite: Classified standing.
In this graduate core seminar, the student will critically examine organization and management concepts and behavior. Emphasis will be on exploring the dynamics of planned organizational change as well as models of organizational development in the public management context. Prerequisite: PPA 5000.
This integrating MPA graduate seminar focuses on the policies in the public and health care sectors. Explores qualitative and quantitative policy models and policy analysis methodology. Selected contemporary policy areas such as energy, the environment, criminal justice, welfare, health care, and education are explored. Prerequisite: Classified standing.
PPA 6980:
This course is a practicum, which demonstrates competency acquired in the master’s programs. Each student will complete a thesis-like project that requires the application of both theory and methods. This is the capstone course in the MPA program. It is strongly recommended that students do not enroll in other courses while taking this course. Prerequisite: PPA 6530. Candidates for the MPA degree must complete a culminating activity in accordance with Title V of the California Administrative Code. The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate competency acquired in the graduate program. This includes mastery of knowledge in the discipline and in the ability to use theory and method in the preparation of an applied research project. Candidates must complete PPA 6530 before they may begin the culminating activity. The first and second reader must each assign a score of four or higher on both critical thinkings and writing to sign the final product. Prerequisites: Advancing to candidacy and approval by the MPA Director. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 9 units.

PPA 6990:
This capstone project is designed to help students integrate and apply the knowledge gained in the MPA program. It involves the study and analysis of a public management or policy case (assigned by the instructor). Student deliverables are a case report, a presentation based on that case report, and a reflective essay where students write about how their public service perspective has evolved during their study. Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy and approval by the MPA Director.

Should not be taken during the first semester.

An internship experience is required for all students that are considered pre-service (MPA Program) or have not had supervisory experience in a health care setting (MSHCA Program) or nonprofit organization. Requirements include at least 200 hours of supervised management level experience and leadership for and completion of an assigned project. Completion of the course follows a formal evaluation by the organization sponsor. This course is graded credit/no credit and does not satisfy the requirements of an elective. Prerequisite: Classified standing. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 15 units.

For more information, visit the internship page.

Elective Courses

All admitted students are required to take 3 elective courses in addition to the courses listed above (courses may be  5000 or 6000-level). These are TBA and may be taken in the Fall, Spring, or Summer.

Elective courses vary by semester.
More Course Descriptions

Course Load

Up to 6 units may be transferred from other institutions. Transfer courses require a course description and/or syllabus for evaluation before they can be applied as a course requirement.

MPA students may take courses at their own pace. To be considered a full-time student, you must enroll in at least two courses per semester. To graduate within 2 years (4 semesters) you should enroll in 3 courses per semester. MPA students may not take 4 or more courses (12 units or more) without expressed approval of the MPA Director.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

  • MPA students must maintain an overall 3.00 GPA per semester enrolled.
  • MPA Students must receive a grade of “B” or better in each foundation and core course.
  • Students must retake foundation and core courses with grades of B- or lower. The MPA
  • Director may approve exceptions to this rule in extenuating circumstances.