MPA Students and Graduates

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 2024)

Total Student Enrollment: 72
Percent Female Students: 65%
Percent Minority Students: 89%
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 34 students initially enrolled in the 2018-2019 academic year are:

Within 2 Years: 9%
Within 3 Years: 85%
Within 4 Years: 100%

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 or two courses 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 2023-2024, MPA students completed internships at several organizations, including:

City of Los Angeles
Department of Defense

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 2022-2023 academic year employed in or pursuing opportunities in the public, non-profit, and private sectors is reported below:

Organizations that employ our 2022-2023 graduates include: 

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.