Master of Public Administration

Graduate Advisors: Gen, Joaquin, Shea, Stowers, Wang

Admission to Program

Apply online through Cal State Apply. Submit the following materials by uploading them to the Cal State Apply online application:

1. Statement of purpose to the SF State MPA Program. This statement of purpose should describe the following information in a coherent essay (in no more four pages, double-spaced):
   • Life experiences that have led you to an interest in public service (public or nonprofit)
   • Background in public service, including any work or volunteer experience you might have in public or nonprofit agencies
   • Areas of specific interests in the public service, including what has led you to these specific interests
   • Career and professional goals and aspiration
   • How the MPA degree will be helpful and consistent with your career goals and aspirations
   • Why this is the right time in your career to come into an MPA program and seek the degree
   • Why the SF State MPA degree program is a good fit for you and your career / professional goals
2. Your current resume.
3. Two (2) letters of recommendation. These should be from individuals who know the candidate well and can address their potential for succeeding in graduate school. The letters do not have to be from faculty members at an academic institution; they can be from supervisors or others familiar with the candidate's work.

Applicants must meet all university admission requirements to be accepted into the MPA program. Applicants are judged on a competitive basis.

Potential applicants who are still completing their undergraduate work should strengthen their preparation for the program with courses in public administration, economics, politics, public policy, and research techniques as well as experience working in either the public or nonprofit sectors.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Lead and manage in public governance/Meet challenges of rapidly changing world
   1. Apply a wide range of knowledge about the public service
   2. Apply a wide range of knowledge about an elective area within public service
   3. Evidence professional skills necessary for the public service
2. Participate in and contribute to the public policy process
3. Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions
4. Articulate and apply a public service perspective
5. Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry
   1. Write effectively and concisely for an audience of professionals
   2. Present effectively to small and large groups
   3. Word effectively in groups and teams
6. Communicate and work to ensure social justice, equity and other public service values highlighted by the Program

Written English Proficiency Requirement

The University has a requirement for written English proficiency that is to be assessed at two different levels.

Level One

Satisfactory performance on the Statement of Purpose should be achieved to gain admission to the degree program.

Level Two

Master’s thesis or strategic assessment memo from P A 890 must be written at a level commensurate with professional standards in the field. 

Advancement to Candidacy

Approval of a student’s proposed course of study advances a student to candidacy. Completion of the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) requirements qualifies the student to apply for the award of the master’s degree. Besides meeting University requirements for advancement to candidacy, students are required to:

• Complete any other conditions specified by the program.
• Consult regularly with a program advisor.
• Complete required core courses, management perspectives courses, and the capstone course with a grade of B- or better. Complete elective courses with a C or better. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall.

Upon advisement, upper division and graduate courses in other disciplines may be accepted if they contribute to a coherent program related to the student’s educational objectives.

Culminating Experience Requirement

Students in the public administration program can choose between two options for their culminating experience:

Students may choose to take a capstone course (P A 890) and complete a written comprehensive examination, the Strategic Assessment Memorandum (SAM). The capstone course focuses on synthesizing the knowledge, skills, and abilities learned in the program through the analysis of case studies from the field. Students complete their portfolio, analyze case studies, and present their strategic assessment of what managers operating in those cases should do to resolve them. The strategic assessment memo is the written presentation of each student’s analysis and plan for that case.

Students may also choose to undertake a traditional social science research project, the Master’s Thesis (P A 898) option. Working with a faculty committee, students write a prospectus, have it approved the semester before undertaking the research, and write the thesis. After initiating this option, students must maintain continuous enrollment until the thesis is completed.

Public Administration Program Portfolio

San Francisco State University Public Administration students graduate with a portfolio of work products and evaluations of that work, which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired in the public administration program. The required components of the portfolio are core competencies and skills crucial for the success of nonprofit and public administrators. Students summarize selected coursework along with explanations of their accomplishments in the degree program, and use it to connect with others in the field.

Willie L. Brown, Jr. Graduate Fellowship

Eugene I. Pearl Memorial Scholarship

The Eugene I. Pearl Memorial Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to students specializing in urban administration. 

Cho Public Service Scholarships

Cho Public Service Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis for incoming and continuing students. Students are selected on the basis of outstanding academic achievement, outstanding community service, and potential for excellence in the public and nonprofit sectors.

For more information regarding scholarships, visit AcademicWorks.

Public Administration (MPA) - 39-42 units

Core: Foundations (12 units)

Core: Management Perspectives (12 units)

Select 12 units:

Internship Requirement (0 - 3 units)

Internship requirement may be waived upon evidence and approval of previous or concurrent educationally appropriate work experience in public policy or administration.

Electives on Advisement (12 units)

Select 12 units from the lists below.

Culminating Experience Requirement (3 units)

Elective Emphases

Nonprofit Administration

Public Policy

Public Service Management

Urban Administration

Environmental Administration

The electives in Environmental Administration are offered jointly by the Public Administration Program (School of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement) and the Department of Geography & Environment. It's recommended that students interested in this area take P A 776, one other course from the list of MPA courses below, and two courses from the list of Geography courses below.

Criminal Justice Administration

Gerontological Administration

A variety of 1-unit courses can also be taken as electives. A total of three 1-unit courses may count toward the degree requirements.