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 2022)

Total Student Enrollment: 67
Percent Female Students: 69%
Percent Minority Students: 85%
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 33 students initially enrolled in the 2016-2017 academic year are:

Within 2 Years: 21%
Within 4 Years: 94%

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 2021-2022, MPA students completed internships at several organizations, including:

City of Lakewood
City of San Gabriel
City of Temple City
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 2020-2021 academic year employed in or pursuing opportunities in the public, non-profit and private sectors is reported below:

Organizations that employ our 2020-2021 graduates include: 

Brilliant Corners
California State University, Los Angeles 
Cerritos Community College District
City of Glendale
City of Los Angeles
City of La Puente
City of Long Beach
Glendale Unified School District
International Institute of Los Angeles
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Los Angeles County Development Authority
Los Angeles County District Attorney
Los Angeles County Executive Office
Los Angeles County Health Services
Los Angeles County Public Health
Los Angeles County Public Works
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector
Los Angeles Department of Transportation
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
PATH
San Bernadino County Probation
Schools on Wheels
Southwestern Law School
Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County
U.S. Air Force
United Ways of California 

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.