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:

  1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;
  2. 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).
  3. Public Service employment experience. Students without public service employment experience must complete an internship before being advanced to candidacy.
  4. 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:

  1. Completed the Graduate Entrance Writing requirement through passing the writing intensive PA 6110 with at least a "B-" grade.
  2. 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);
  3. Completed an approved graduate program plan in consultation with an MPA adviser.
  4. Have evidence of Public Service employment experience or completion of PA 6750 Internship
  5. Secured the approval of candidacy from the MPA Graduate Director and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Requirements for Graduation

  1. 36 semester units consistent with the program plan, with at least 27 units completed at CSUSB;
  2. Successful completion of the required core, selected concentration and required elective courses as outlined in the curriculum section;
  3. 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;
  4. Completion of the Public Administration Capstone PA 6550 with a "B" (3.0) or higher grade.
  5. Satisfactory completion of two semesters of PA 6985 Professional Development Seminar. 
  6. 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.
  7. MPA students satisfy the graduation writing requirement through successful completion of the comprehensive examination.

Degree Requirements (36 units)

PA 6030Research Methods in Administration3
PA 6110Public Administration Theory and Practice3
PA 6620Human Resource Management in the Public Sector3
PA 6630Public Budgeting and Finance3
PA 6640 Management of Public Organizations3
PA 6800Public Policy Analysis3
PA 6985Professional Development Seminar0
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 below15
Total Units36

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 6550Capstone: Strategic Planning for Government and Nonprofit Organizations3
PA 6980Comprehensive Examination0
Total Units3

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 6090Information Systems and Technology Management3
IST 6470Database Management and Policies3
IST 6700Cybersecurity Policy and Risk Management3
IST 6730Cybersecurity Theory and Practice3
IST 6890Enterprise Architecture Planning, Strategy, Security and Policy3
Total Units15

Leadership Concentration (15 units)

(Program Code: PALD)

PA 5010Administrative Leadership3
PA 6500Government in the Digital Age3
PA 6720Administrative Regulation3
Two electives (6 units) selected from any 5000 or 6000 level PA non-core class.6
Total Units15

Public Financial Management Concentration (15 units)

(Program Code: PAFM)

PA 6150Public and Nonprofit Financial Management3
PA 6300Program Evaluation3
PA 6610Principles of Public and Nonprofit Procurement3
Two electives (6 units) selected from any 5000 or 6000 level PA non-core class.6
Total Units15

Nonprofit Leadership Concentration (15 units)

(Program Code PANP)

PA 5140Nonprofit Management and Leadership3
PA 5150Executive Nonprofit Leadership3
PA 5170Nonprofit Fundraising and Grantwriting3
Two electives (6 units) selected from any 5000 or 6000 level PA non-core class.6
Total Units15