Public Administration Graduate Program

A graduate Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is available for students who wish to continue their education beyond the undergraduate level. The MPA degree is a nationally accredited, professional degree offered by the School to qualified students. The curriculum provides a foundation of required course work and permits the selection of complementary courses and seminar work that may be oriented toward an emphasis in more specific areas of administration. For example, two formal concentrations in City Planning and Criminal Justice Administration are offered to the MPA student. Other informal specialization in areas such as Public Personnel and Labor Relations, Urban Administration, and Public Policy are also available. In addition, the School offers a joint MPA and MA in Latin American Studies in conjunction with SDSUs Center for Latin American Studies.  (The MPA is also offered at San Diego State’s Imperial Valley Campus, as well as at the main campus).


The MPA degree is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.


DEADLINE TO APPLY TO THE MPA PROGRAM - MARCH 1:  The MPA program does not accept spring applications. All supporting documentation including transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation must be received by APRIL 1. However, it is best to apply early!!

 

 

Eligibility

Students holding a bachelor’s degree in any major from an accredited university are eligible to apply for admission to the MPA Program. 

 

Prerequisites

Students should have taken an undergraduate quantitative course and be conversant with general social science statistics.

 

Admissions

In terms of admission standards, a grade point average of 2.85-3.0 (on a 4-point scale) is generally considered minimum with grades during the last two years of college given particular importance. Lower grade point averages may be acceptable in exceptional circumstances where other evidence of potential capacity is available.


Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation that should come from two persons familiar with the applicant’s ability and accomplishments.


Applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and can sign-up for the test through ETS at (http://www.ets.org/).  Effective August 2011 GRE changed their scoring system. The new MPA target score on the GRE is 294 (verbal and quantitative sections combined).  If the test was taken prior to August 2011, the MPA program target score was 950 (verbal and quantitative sections combined). GRE scores should be sent electronically from ETS and must be received by April 1st.


Admission to the MPA program is based on the SDSU application and on the following three factors:
1) Overall grade point.  A grade point average of 3.0 is considered desirable to graduate study in public administration but a 2.85 GPA may be acceptable for admission.
2) GRE Score.  The GRE must be taken (with acceptable scores) prior to being accepted into the MPA program.  An overall score of 294 (based on the verbal and quantitative scores combined) is considered minimum, but the minimum can be waived in certain circumstances.
3) Two Letters of Recommendation.  These letters should come from two persons familiar with the applicant’s ability and accomplishments.

 

Application Process

To apply, prospective students must file an official application with Graduate Admissions of San Diego State University. (Apply at http://www.CSUmentor.edu).  In addition, please submit official transcripts, test scores, and two academic letters of recommendation. 


Submit official transcripts and test scores:
One set of official transcripts of all previous post secondary academic work attempted and GRE Exam scores are to be mailed to the following address:
Enrollment Services
Graduate Admissions, Document Processing Unit
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416


And also submit the two letters of recommendation to the School of Public Affairs at the following address:
School of Public Affairs
Master of Public Administration

San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4505

 

International Applicants

In addition to the above application process, International Applicants for admission whose education has been in a foreign country must file an application for admission, official certificates and detailed transcripts of record from each collegiate institution attended. All documents, transcripts, and test scores must be received by Graduate Admissions no later than April 1st. The CSU Mentor On-Line Application and fee must be submitted by March 1st. Effective the Fall 2013 application cycle, all transcripts, including those with international coursework, will be evaluated internally at SDSU. International applicants are required to take the TOEFL (target score of 550 paper/80 iBT)  or the IELTS (score of 6.5).

International applicants please visit the International Student Center for additional application procedures for International Graduate Students

 

 


For information on Graduate Admission Requirements click here

 

 

Graduate Standing

Students are admitted to this program with a status of Classified or Conditionally Classified. Conditionally Classified students must meet the conditions noted on their program admission letter. When conditions are successfully met students must file a Change of Status form and submitted to the SPA Department office (PSFA 101).

 

 

Joint Master of Arts in Latin American Studies and Master in Public Administration


The School of Public Affairs and the Center for Latin American Studies offers a concurrent graduate program leading to a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Public Administration and a Master of Arts (MA) in Latin American Studies. For more information click here

 

 

Beginning the Program

Following admission to the program all students should schedule a meeting with the Graduate Advisor: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).


For detailed information about the procedural steps toward earning a MPA degree, please visit the Graduate Division’s website. Graduate students are individually responsible for complying with the procedures, regulations, and deadlines as set forth in the General Catalog and in the Bulletin of the Graduate Division.

 

The MPA Program


Students must pass the Screening Examination in the PA 600 - Scope of Public Administration course before taking any other courses, PA 604 Methods of Analysis in Public and Urban Affairs may be taken concurrently.


Students are admitted to this program with a status of Classified or Conditionally Classified. Conditionally Classified students must meet the conditions noted on their program admission letter. When conditions are successfully met students must file a Change of Status form and submitted to the SPA Department office (PSFA 101).

 

Completing your MPA Program of Study and Advancement to Candidacy


The Official Program of Study (OPS) form may be filled out in consultation with the graduate advisor. The OPS can be submitted following the successful completion of at least 12 units of graduate course work with at least a 3.0 GPA.  The OPS must be submitted no later than the semester prior to anticipated graduation.


Please attach your completed MPA Internship Waiver Request Form (see instructions below for completing the request form) to your OPS.  The MPA Coordinator will determine how many units of internship you will be required to complete based on submission of this form and its supporting documentation.  The MPA Internship Waiver Request Form can be found on the table in PSFA 100 or by clicking here.  If your internship requirement is not waived, you will be required to enroll in the PA 796 (Internship in Public Administration) course.  You will enroll in the designated number of units required by the MPA Coordinator.

 

With the successful submission and approval of the OPS the student will Advance to Candidacy.  Students cannot Advance to Candidacy and graduate in the same semester. You must be Advanced to Candidacy before you will be allowed to submit your thesis or the comprehensive examinations.

 

MPA Internship Requirement and Internship Waiver


The internship experience is a cornerstone of the graduate student experience in public administration. A public service internship is essential to a student’s ability to practically apply classroom theory, and in many cases is critical to a student’s successful job search after graduating with the MPA degree. The public service internship:

1) provides the student realistic exposure to an organizational-bureaucratic environment,
2) develop the student’s awareness of the internal dynamics of an organization and of the value and attitudes of public employees to both their clientele and their administrative-political superiors, and
3) gives the student the opportunity to become aware of his/her obligations as a professional and to the public. (NASPAA)

 

All MPA students are required to register for and complete 12 units of PA 796, which includes a minimum of 480 hours of internship experience. Students should begin planning their internship early in their degree program, and should meet with Prof. Frosio to discuss their interests and what they hope to gain from a public service internship. Prof. Frosio can be found in PSFA 164, and can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or 619-594-5576.


Our accrediting body does give us some room to grant waivers of internship requirements on the basis of “significant professional experience.” As such, students who have had considerable experience in the public sector, or who are currently in the public sector, may be permitted to waive the internship requirement by demonstrating equivalent experiential learning expected of an intern.

 

If you believe your past or current work experience may help you qualify for a full or partial internship waiver, you may submit an Internship Waiver Request Form, along with a letter from your supervisor on organization letterhead, to the MPA Coordinator Prof. Flanigan.  Please be advised that waivers will be granted only when one’s past experience demonstrates a clear leadership, management, and public service role.


Based on an evaluation of the Internship Waiver Request Form and accompanying documents, students may be required to complete:


Units of PA 796:            Number of Internship Hours:
    0 units—                        0 hours
    3 units—                        120 hours minimum
    6 units—                        240 hours minimum
    9 units—                        360 hours minimum
  12 units—                        480 hours minimum


You may consult the MPA Coordinator to request an internship waiver.  If you have not already submitted your MPA Internship Waiver Request Form, please submit the completed form, accompanied by a signed letter from your supervisor on the agency’s letterhead, to the MPA program coordinator. (*Please note- when seeking internship credit for work with multiple agencies, a separate form and supervisor letter should be submitted for EACH agency.)  Please attach your completed MPA Internship Waiver Request Form to your OPS.  The MPA Coordinator will determine how many units you will be required to complete based on submission of this form and its supporting documentation.  The MPA Internship Waiver Request Form can be found on the table in PSFA 100 or by clicking here.  If your internship requirement is not waived, you will be required to enroll in the PA 796 (Internship in Public Administration) course.  You will enroll in the designated number of units required by the MPA Coordinator.

 

Thesis or Comprehensive Examination Options


After advancing to candidacy the student may form her/his thesis committee and register for PA 799 Thesis or take the Comprehensive Examinations.


Thesis
Students choosing the thesis option should contact the Graduate Division for specific information on procedures for thesis.


Comprehensive Examinations
To be eligible to take the comprehensive exams the student must have completed 24-units of graduate work, have filed an Official Program of Study and been advanced to candidacy prior to signing up for the comps.  (No exceptions will be made.) Students must have completed the courses in which they plan to take the comprehensive examinations. (Exceptions to this rule will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the MPA Director.) The MPA comprehensive exams are given approximately within the 12th week of the Fall and Spring semesters.


Within the first four weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters all students planning to take the MPA comprehensive exams will be expected to attend the MPA Comp Exam meeting. (specific dates will be posted in the PA department and sent to all MPA students)


Each student will take two comprehensive examinations chosen from the following:

 

  • Personnel/Employee-Employer Relations (PA 630)

  • Public Policy (PA 660)

  • Organizational Theory (PA 642)

  • Public Finance (PA 650)

  • City Planning (Students with formal emphasis in City Planning must take the CP exam)

     

    Graduating from the MPA Program

     

    In order to graduate from the MPA program students will need to:

    —successfully complete all coursework;
    —pass the Comprehensive Exams or approval of Thesis by thesis committee;
    —file an Application for Graduation With an Advanced Degree

     

     

    Additional graduate program forms required can be found here.

     


    Stay in touch by e-mail with both the School .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and the Graduate Division. Always keep your home address and e-mail address current with the University.  Personal information can be updated at through Web Portal.  Important communications or changes in procedures that may be critical to your success will be transmitted in this manner.

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    School of Public Affairs
    San Diego State University
    PSFA 100
    5500 Campanile Drive
    San Diego, CA 92182-4505
    Phone: (619) 594-6224
    Fax: (619) 594-1165