Our MS in Public Administration program was established in the 1950s and gradually evolved into today's program, which combines the study of both public administration and public policy.

The MSPA is a professional degree intended to train individuals for service in government or in the nonprofit sector. Graduate programs in this area, including ours, have a core in the knowledge and skills required for effective public management: planning, problem-solving, decision making, managing people, money and programs, and representing the public interest. We are a NASPAA-accredited program, and the basic program is as follows:

• Level 1. Prerequisites, 8 Units:
  POLS 460 Foundations of Public Administration
  POLS 462 Public Policy
  
  
• Level 2. Management Core, 16 Units:
  POLS 571 Intergovernmental Relations
  POLS 572 Public Sector Organization and Management
  POLS 573 Public Sector Human Resource Management
  POLS 574 Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
  
  
• Level 3. Skills Core Sequence, 16 Units:
  POLS 578 Research Design for Public and Nonprofit Managers
  POLS 579 Public Sector Information Management and Computing
  POLS 580 Data Analysis for Public and Nonprofit Managers
  POLS 594 Applied Research in Public or Nonprofit Administration
  
  
• Level 4. Electives, 12 Units:
  Three graduate electives with advisor approval
  
  
• Level 5. Capstone Course, 4 Units:
  POLS 590 Seminar: Philosophy of Public Service
  
  
• Level 6. Comprehensive Examination or Thesis
  
  
• Internship
  
  Frequently Asked Questions
  About Advisement
  
  

Admission to the Program
Admission to the University does NOT constitute admission to the Department of Political Science’s MSPA program. Students must apply separately to the MSPA program. Please also note that the MSPA program has different standards for admission than the University and different application deadlines

Click here for the university's graduate admissions standards. To apply to the University, go to CSUmentor.

The Department application instructions and forms are available as a PDF file that you can download and complete. Minimum requirements include:

1. A GPA in the last 90 quarter (60 semester) units of 2.75 or better (University 2.50)..
2. Two good quality letters of recommendation from supervisors at work and/or college instructors.
3. An excellent and appropriate (to our program) personal statement.
4. A current résumé.
5. Official transcript from all colleges and universities attended.

The Department application forms and instructions can be downloaded here.

MSPA applications are accepted twice a year ONLY:

• For Fall admission, your application file must be complete by April 10.
• For Spring admission, your application file must be complete by November 10.
• The University admits graduate students each quarter; we do not.
  

Scholarships
The Department, through the University Student Financial Services Office, recommends the award each year of several Hector Elizalde and Ake Sandler Scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students. You apply for the scholarships each fall through the financial aid office. There are also the John Houk and William Lloyd Scholarships for graduate students in history or political science. Again, you apply through the financial aid office.

Current information about special scholarships and internships is here.

The University's Office of Graduate Studies and Research has forms, financial aid information, thesis policies, policies regarding travel support for students attending conferences, and other information specifically for prospective and current graduate students.

MSPA Advisory Board
The MSPA Advisory Board meets annually to discuss the MSPA program in relation to the changing needs of the public and nonprofit sectors here in the Southland. The members of the Advisory Board include public and nonprofit organization officials and graduates of the MSPA program.

Comprehensive Exit Exam
A comprehensive exit exam is the last requirement you will complete before receiving your MSPA degree. Exit exams are given twice each year, in Fall and Spring quarters. All new students (admitted after Fall 2005) will be in the "new" program and will take a one-part exit exam. Continuing students who remain in the "old" program will complete a two-part exit exam. The graduate advisor can answer any specific questions about the exams. Students require a GPA of 3.0 or better for graduation.

Created by T. Dark; updated by S. F. Freyss, 9/17/07.