The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree prepares professionals to capably manage public sector processes and effectively implement public policy decisions. Graduates will be ready to advance their careers in management and leadership positions in a wide range of public-focused organizations, including government agencies, non-profit and other nongovernmental organizations, private firms, and advocacy groups. As the only MPA program offered by an ABA accredited law school in the nation, special attention is given to statutes, regulations and strategic use of legal processes.
Thirty-six (36)-course units distributed across four areas of competency must be completed to receive the MPA. PUB 251 should be taken during the first semester and PUB 252 during the final semester. Optional areas of concentration require an additional six (6) units.
The MPA may be pursued part-time or full-time. Admissions are made in the fall and in the spring.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher is required for award of the MPA.
MPA Requirements
Thirty-six (36)-course units distributed across four areas of competency must be completed to receive the MPA. PUB 251 must be taken during the first semester, and PUB 252 during the final semester. Optional areas of concentration require an additional six (6) units.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher is required for award of the MPA.
| Core Courses - 36 units in four areas, including: | ||
| LAW - 6 units | ||
| LAW 201 | Introduction to Law and Public Administration (Introduction to Law and Public Administration) | 3 |
| LAW 517 | Statutes and Regulations | 3 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/LEADERSHIP - 15 units | ||
| PUB 218 | Professional Skills | 1 |
| PUB 241 | Leaders, Organization Behavior | 3 |
| PUB 242 | Systemic Change | 3 |
| or PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | |
| PUB 251 | Foundations of Public Administration | 3 |
| PUB 252 | Capstone: Strategy, Implementation | 4 |
| PUBLIC POLICY - 7 units | ||
| PUB 211 | Governance and Public Policy | 3 |
| PUB 214 | Budgets, Financial Management | 3 |
| or PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | |
| ANALYTIC TOOLS - 8 units | ||
| PUB 233 | Public Manager Analytics | 3 |
| PUB 221 | Economic Concepts and Tools | 3 |
Optional MPA Areas of Concentration
| Environmental and Water Policy - 6 units | ||
Complete 6 or more units from among these courses. | ||
| LAW 230 | Water Resources Law (This course is offered in a 2 and 3 unit format. If taken as 2 units, you must take 1 additional elective unit.) | 2-3 |
| LAW 235 | Environmental Practice | 3 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 507 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| LAW 509 | Special Topics in Environmental Law | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 510 | Natural Resources Law | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Capital Policy Making - 6 units | ||
Complete 6 or more units from among these courses. | ||
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 513 | California Lobbying & Politics | 2 |
| LAW 576 | Cap. Lawyering and Pol. Making | 2 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies (If not taken for core requirement.) | 3 |
| Public and Non-Profit Leadership - 6 units | ||
Complete 6 or more units from among these courses. | ||
| LAW 209 | Local Agency Practice | 2 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 802 | Negotiation and Settlements Seminar | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| LAW 826 | Negotiating Disputes Into Deals | 1 |
| PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity (If not taken for core requirement.) | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Policy Change, Institutional Reform, Sustainability - 6 units | ||
Complete 6 or more units from among these courses. | ||
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity (If not taken for core requirement.) | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies (If not taken for core requirement.) | 3 |
| PUB 234 | Advanced Policy Analytics | 3 |
Application for Graduation: Students in the semester prior to the final semester of their degree program must complete the Application for Graduation form no later than the Add/Drop Deadline of that semester via the online application for graduation link on Inside Pacific.
Questions?
Contact Director of Public Policy Programs and Professor of Public Policy Jeffrey A. Michael
Email jmichael@pacific.edu | 916.340.6084
Learning Outcomes
1. Lead and manage in public governance
Habitually use feedback and own self-assessments to identify and further advance the skills needed to master various aspects of Governance--including the use of formal authority and competencies of governments, roles of non-profits and businesses, and citizen engagement--in a way that addresses the particular demographic, economic, and cultural factors that shape possible actions.
2. Participate in and contribute to the public policy process
Identify, describe, and proactively engage in activities congruent with establishing a suitable career that contributes to public policy processes, which may include working in government agencies, non-profit and other nongovernmental organizations, private sector firms, and advocacy groups that connect with public service organizations.
3. Analyze and synthesize information in support of complex decision-making
Independently select and use appropriate qualitative and quantitative analytic tools to support effective decisions in socially and managerially complex situations that require integrating competing perspectives of diverse stakeholders
4. Articulate and apply a public service perspective
Across a wide range of issues and public administration settings, articulate how institutions, policies and programs support achieving central values of democracy and the role of public service professionals in advancing those values.
5. Communicate and interact productively with diverse public stakeholders
Communicate and interact productively across public, private and nonprofit sectors, and with a wide variety of stakeholders, to solve problems.
