Master of Public Administration

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

Admission to Program

Apply online through Cal State Apply. The Office of Graduate Admissions no longer accepts paper applications to graduate programs. 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 address the following prompts in a coherent essay of 3 – 4 pages, double-spaced: 
   • Life experiences that have contributed to your interest in public administration. We are especially interested in reading about any direct experience with one or more of the following: 
     • Civic engagement in any way (e.g., as an organizer, as a professional tasked with engaging constituents, or as a member of a community being engaged by public or nonprofit organizations) 
     • Issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in any setting (e.g., school, work, community). Experiences may include being subject to discrimination or exclusionary policies or practices, advocating or organizing for change, or working to adopt or implement DEIB initiatives. 
     • Working or volunteering in public or nonprofit agencies or other organizations that serve the public (e.g., auditing, consulting, law, government relations, program management).
   • Career goals and professional interests or aspirations, including what informs them. We are especially interested in reading about your goals, interests, or aspirations related to one or more of the following:   
     • Specific issues or policy areas (e.g., affordable housing, education, environment, immigration, workforce).   
     • Subfields within public administration (e.g., financial management, human capital management, nonprofit management, public policy, urban administration).   
     • Civic engagement, advocacy, or community organizing (e.g., initiatives, policies, programs, research).   
     • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, including any dimensions of diversity or equity (e.g., economic, environmental, gender, health, racial) that may be the focus of your interests.   
   • How the MPA degree will be helpful and consistent with your career goals and aspirations   
   • Why the SF State MPA degree program is a good fit for you and your career / professional goals. We are especially interested in reading about your alignment with any of the public service values SF State’s MPA Program elevates: accountability, civic engagement, effectiveness, equity, inclusivity, social justice, and sustainability.  
   • Why now is the right time in your career to seek an MPA degree. ​ 
2. Your current resume.
3. Two (2) letters of recommendation. These should be from individuals who know the applicant 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 applicant's work.

Important information and instructions on using the CalState Apply online application system. 

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 by completing courses in public administration, economics, politics, public policy, and research techniques. Those without relevant work experience can strengthen their application with related internships or volunteer positions.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Lead and manage in public governance.
   1. Apply a wide range of knowledge about public service.
   2. Apply a wide range of knowledge about an elective area within public service.
   3. Provide evidence of the professional skills necessary for 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. Work 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 requires that written English proficiency 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

Culminating Experience paper - a Master’s Thesis or the Strategic Assessment Memo from the Capstone course - 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 all courses with a grade of B- or better. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall.

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

Culminating Experience Requirement

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

Most students choose to take the capstone course (P A 890). The course challenges students to integrate and apply the full range of knowledge, skills, and abilities developed throughout the program. At its core is the Strategic Assessment Memorandum (SAM), a written comprehensive examination grounded in real-world case analysis.  Students step into the role of leader, dissecting complex situations and crafting sharp, actionable strategies.

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.

Program-Specific Fellowships and Scholarships

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 Scholarship

The Cho Public Service Scholarship is 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 https://financialaid.sfsu.edu/scholarships 

Public Administration (MPA) – 39 units minimum

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