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.
A 30 unit core of required courses must be completed to receive the MPA. 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.
MPA Requirements
| All core courses in four areas, including: | ||
| LAW | ||
| LAW 212 | Intro. to Legal Analysis | 2 |
| LAW 517 | Statutes and Regulations | 3 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/LEADERSHIP | ||
| PUB 218 | Professional Skills | 1 |
| PUB 251 | Pub Admin: Values, Roles and Skills | 3 |
| PUB 241 | Leaders, Organization Behavior | 3 |
| Elective: any PUB course(s) | 3 | |
| PUB 252 | Capstone: Strategy, Implementation | 3 |
| PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| PUB 211 | Pub Pol: Conflicted, Complex, Uncertain | 3 |
| PUB 214 | Budgets, Financial Management | 3 |
| Or | ||
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| ANALYTIC TOOLS | ||
| PUB 221 | Economic Concepts and Tools | 3 |
| PUB 233 | Public Manager Analytics | 3 |
MPA Concentrations
| 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.) | 3 |
| LAW 507 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| LAW 235 | Environmental Practice | 3 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative 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 513 | California Lobbying & Politics | 2 |
| LAW 576 | Cap. Lawyering and Pol. Making | 2 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| Legislative & Public Policy Clinic * | ||
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
*LAW 853 requires students to register for 3 units in each Fall & Spring.
| Public and Non-Profit Leadership - 6 Units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 101 | Contracts/Analytical Skills | 4 |
| LAW 110 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW 209 | Local Agency Practice | 2 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 513 | California Lobbying & Politics | 2 |
| LAW 560 | Land Use Planning | 2 |
| 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 | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Policy Change, Institutional Reform, Sustainability - MPA ONLY- 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 | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| PUB 234 | Advanced Policy Analytics | 3 |
Total Units: You must complete 36 units to earn the MPA with an area of concentration.
Minimum GPA: Your cumulative grade point average must be 3.00 or higher in those courses required for award of the MPA, MPA with concentration, or MPP.
Application for Graduation: Students in the final semester of their degree program must complete the Application for Graduation form no later than the Add/Drop Deadline of that semester and return completed forms to the Office of the Registrar.
Questions?
Contact Distinguished Professor of Public Policy John J. Kirlin
Email | 916.520.7471
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.
