MSPA Vision
A Vision for the Future of Public Administration at CSULA
Master of Science in Public Administration
Our MS in Public Administration program was established in the 1950s and gradually evolved into today's program, which combines the study of both public administration and public policy.
The MSPA is a professional degree intended to train individuals for service in government or in the nonprofit sector. Graduate programs in this area, including ours, have a core in the knowledge and skills required for effective public management: planning, problem-solving, decision making, managing people, money and programs, and representing the public interest. We are a NASPAA-accredited program, and the basic program is as follows:
The Master of Science in Public Administration program at California State University, Los Angeles, seeks to educate students for professional public and community service within a diverse urban environment through the development of creative management and analytical skills, enhanced leadership capabilities, and clearer understanding of the issues of governance and institutional adaptation in a fast changing world.
Level 1. Prerequisites, 8 Units:
POLS 460 Foundations of Public Administration
POLS 462 Public Policy
Level 2. Management Core, 16 Units:
POLS 571 Intergovernmental Relations
POLS 572 Public Sector Organization and Management
POLS 573 Public Sector Human Resource Management
POLS 574 Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
Level 3. Skills Core Sequence, 16 Units:
POLS 578 Research Design for Public and Nonprofit Managers
POLS 579 Public Sector Information Management and Computing
POLS 580 Data Analysis for Public and Nonprofit Managers
POLS 594 Applied Research in Public or Nonprofit Administration
Level 4. Electives, 12 Units:
Three graduate electives with advisor approval
Level 5. Capstone Course, 4 Units:
POLS 590 Seminar: Philosophy of Public Service
Level 6. Comprehensive Examination or Thesis
A comprehensive exit exam is the last requirement you will complete before receiving your MSPA degree. Exit exams generally are given twice each year, in Fall and Spring quarters, between the 3rd and 5th week of classes. Comprehensive exam orientation sessions are held at the start of each quarter that the exam is given, and all students who register for the exam are invited to the orientation, and we encourage your attendance. In addition, the MSPA graduate advisor can answer any specific questions about the exams. To be exam eligible, graduate students must have completed their entire program of coursework with a 3.0 GPA.
MSPA Comprehensive Examination Dates
Fall 2012
Distributed Monday Oct. 22 at 9am, due Wednesday Oct. 24 at noon
Winter 2013
Distributed Monday Feb. 4 at 9am, due Wednesday Feb. 6 at noon
Spring 2013
Distributed Monday April 29 at 9am, due Wednesday May 1 at noon
Internship
Program Requirements
You can check course descriptions by searhcing them in the Univerity Catalog
MSPA Mission Statement
CSULA Political Science Department Mission
The mission of the Department of Political Science is to combine teaching, research, and scholarship to educate students to:
Think critically and systematically about government and politics across local, national, and global settings;
Prepare for successful careers and graduate study in law, public service, politics, international affairs, and numerous other fields;
Become active and informed citizens through an understanding of American politics and society; and
To contribute to the discipline of political science through professional participation and scholarly activities in academic and civic communities.
