Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a broad program designed to prepare students for careers in public and non-profit service. The degree provides the student with a generalist perspective of public administration, including tools of strategic planning, budgeting, decision-making, human resource management, an understanding of the democratic governance system, and a capacity to work in the public environment.
Admission to the Program
In addition to the general requirements of the university, specific requirements for admission to the MPA degree program are:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;
- A grade point average of 3.0 or above for the last 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) of course work including post-baccalaureate courses. Students with a gpa of 2.75-2.99 may be admitted after review of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- Public Service employment experience. Students without public service employment experience must complete an internship before being advanced to candidacy.
- Academic motivation and personal qualifications demonstrated through submission of a 500 word statement of purpose for pursuing the MPA at California State University, San Bernardino.
No more than 9 semester units of graduate credit earned in unclassified/ conditionally classified standing may be counted toward meeting the requirements for the degree.
Advancement to Candidacy
To be advanced to candidacy, a student must have:
- Completed the Graduate Entrance Writing requirement through passing the writing intensive PA 6110 with at least a "B-" grade.
- Completed at least 15 semester units of applicable graduate-level course work at the university, with a minimum grade point average of "B" (3.0);
- Completed an approved graduate program plan in consultation with an MPA adviser.
- Have evidence of Public Service employment experience or completion of PA 6750 Internship
- Secured the approval of candidacy from the MPA Graduate Director and the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Requirements for Graduation
- 36 semester units consistent with the program plan, with at least 27 units completed at CSUSB;
- Successful completion of the required core, selected concentration and required elective courses as outlined in the curriculum section;
- A cumulative grade point average of "B" (3.0) in MPA course work and grades of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses applied to the degree;
- Completion of the Public Administration Capstone PA 6550 with a "B" (3.0) or higher grade.
- Satisfactory completion of two semesters of PA 6985 Professional Development Seminar.
- Successful completion of an integrative comprehensive examination. Students who do not receive a passing grade may, with the written approval of the MPA Graduate Coordinator, repeat the examination, one additional time only. Only students who have been advanced to candidacy, have completed their core and concentration classes, and have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA may take the examination.
- MPA students satisfy the graduation writing requirement through successful completion of the comprehensive examination.
Degree Requirements (36 units)
| PA 6030 | Research Methods in Administration | 3 |
| PA 6110 | Public Administration Theory and Practice | 3 |
| PA 6620 | Human Resource Management in the Public Sector | 3 |
| PA 6630 | Public Budgeting and Finance | 3 |
| PA 6640 | Management of Public Organizations | 3 |
| PA 6800 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PA 6985 | Professional Development Seminar | 0 |
Students must take two semesters of PA 6985 | ||
| Culminating Experience (3) | 3 | |
| Concentration (15) | ||
| Students must satisfy the requirements of one of the concentrations listed below | 15 | |
| Total Units | 36 | |
Students may not include more than 9 semester units in transfer credit from other colleges. California State University, San Bernardino will not consider transfer credit course work from any institution which will not accept that work in its own advanced degree program.
Culminating Experience (3 units)
| PA 6550 | Capstone: Strategic Planning for Government and Nonprofit Organizations | 3 |
| PA 6980 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
| Total Units | 3 | |
Students must have completed all core classes and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in order to take the Comprehensive Exam. In addition to the exam, PA 6980 requires completion of an exit survey, a reflective essay and approved career development activities.
Concentrations (15 units)
Cyber Security Concentration (15 units)
(Program Code: PACS)
| IST 6090 | Information Systems and Technology Management | 3 |
| IST 6470 | Database Management and Policies | 3 |
| IST 6700 | Cybersecurity Policy and Risk Management | 3 |
| IST 6730 | Cybersecurity Theory and Practice | 3 |
| IST 6890 | Enterprise Architecture Planning, Strategy, Security and Policy | 3 |
| Total Units | 15 | |
Leadership Concentration (15 units)
(Program Code: PALD)
| PA 5010 | Administrative Leadership | 3 |
| PA 6500 | Government in the Digital Age | 3 |
| PA 6720 | Administrative Regulation | 3 |
| Two electives (6 units) selected from any 5000 or 6000 level PA non-core class. | 6 | |
| Total Units | 15 | |
Public Financial Management Concentration (15 units)
(Program Code: PAFM)
| PA 6150 | Public and Nonprofit Financial Management | 3 |
| PA 6300 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PA 6610 | Principles of Public and Nonprofit Procurement | 3 |
| Two electives (6 units) selected from any 5000 or 6000 level PA non-core class. | 6 | |
| Total Units | 15 | |
Nonprofit Leadership Concentration (15 units)
(Program Code PANP)
| PA 5140 | Nonprofit Management and Leadership | 3 |
| PA 5150 | Executive Nonprofit Leadership | 3 |
| PA 5170 | Nonprofit Fundraising and Grantwriting | 3 |
| Two electives (6 units) selected from any 5000 or 6000 level PA non-core class. | 6 | |
| Total Units | 15 | |