Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
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 addition 6-10 units.
The MPA may be pursued part-time or full-time. Admissions are made in the fall and in the spring.
Questions?
Contact Distinguished Professor of Public Policy John J. Kirlin
Email | 916.520.7471
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 | Values, Roles and Skills | 3 |
| PUB 241 | Leaders, Organization Behavior | 3 |
| PUB 242 | Systemic Change | 3 |
| PUB 252 | Effective Public Professionals | 4 |
| PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| PUB 211 | Conflicted, Complex, Uncertain | 3 |
| PUB 214 | Budgets, Financial Management | 3 |
| ANALYTIC TOOLS | ||
| PUB 221 | Economic Concepts and Tools | 3 |
| PUB 233 | Public Manager Analytics | 3 |
MPA Concentrations
| Environmental and Water Policy - 9 Units | ||
| 1 course required, other may be elective | ||
| 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 |
| Select 6 or more units of the following: | 6 | |
| Environmental Practice | ||
| Water and Environmental Research Seminar | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| CA Enviro. Cases & Places | ||
| Special Topics in Environmental Law | ||
| Natural Resources Law | ||
| Directed Research | ||
| Capital Policy Making - 10 units | ||
| LAW 513 | California Lobbying & Politics | 2 |
| LAW 576 | Intro to Capital Lawyering | 2 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| Select 4 or more units of the following: | ||
| Election Law | ||
| California Initiative Seminar | ||
| Legislative & Public Policy Clinic * | ||
*LAW 853 requires students to register for 2 units in each Fall & Spring.
| Policy Change, Institutional Reform, Sustainability - MPA ONLY - 9 Units | ||
| PUB 242 | Systemic Change | 3 |
| Select 6 or more units of the following: | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Lawmaking in California | ||
| Enhancing Societal Capacity | ||
| Directed Research | ||
| Finance for Public Policies | ||
| Advanced Policy Analytics | ||
| Public and Non Profit Leadership - 9 Units | ||
| 1 course required, others may be elective | ||
| LAW 110 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| Select 5 or more units of the following: | ||
| Local Agency Practice | ||
| California Lobbying & Politics | ||
| Land Use Planning | ||
| Representing Local Agencies | ||
| Negotiation and Settlements Seminar | ||
| Lawmaking in California | ||
| Negotiating Disputes Into Deals | ||
| Enhancing Societal Capacity | ||
Total Units: You must complete 36-40 units, depending on concentration chosen
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.