The MPA Program's diverse student body are current and future leaders in the public and non-profit sectors in the Southern California region. Most MPA students work full-time while pursuing their degree; thus, all MPA Program courses are held in the evenings to allow for an accessible and flexible education.

MPA Program Characteristics (Fall 2020)

Total Student Enrollment: 90
Percent Female Students: 61%
Percent Minority Students: 84%
Typical Core Class Size: 20
Typical Elective Class Size: 15

Program Completion Rate

The MPA program can be completed in approximately two years. The program completion rates for the 24 students initially enrolled in the 2015-2016 academic year are:

Within 2 Years: 46%
Within 4 Years: 79%
Within 6 Years: 83%

The majority of our students work full-time while completing the program, which affects the length of time to graduate. On average, more than 90 percent of our students are employed full-time while completing the program; thus, due to work and family commitments, many MPA students elect to take only one course per term or not to take courses during a particular term depending on their schedule.

While the time to program completion is extended, our students appreciate the flexibility the program affords them. Per University policy and federal Title V requirements, graduate courses expire after seven years; thus, students must finish their program within seven years.

Internship Placements

MPA Program students without relevant professional work experience complete an internship before graduating. In 2020-2021, MPA students completed internships at several organizations, including:

City of Lakewood
City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services
City of Temple City
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
Pat Brown Institute (James R. Galbraith Public Policy Fellowship)

Career Placements

Our MPA Program graduates work in a diversity of settings, including local, state and federal government agencies and national, regional and community non-profit organizations. Following graduation, the share of our students who graduated during the 2019-2020 academic year employed in or pursuing opportunities in the public, non-profit and private sectors is reported below:

Organizations that employ our 2019-2020 graduates include: 

AARP, Inc.
California State University, Los Angeles 
CATCH Prep Charter High School
City of Carson
City of Los Angeles
City of Los Angeles Fire Department
Day One
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Los Angeles County Public Works
Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
Los Angeles Metro
Magnolia Public Schools
Penny Lane Centers
Southern California Edison
The Center at Blessed Sacrament
United Way of Greater Los Angeles 

MPA Alumni Association 

The MPA Alumni Association serves as a resource for current MPA students and alumni. Visit the MPA Alumni Association's Facebook page for announcements and events.