The MPA degree requires 39 semester units of graduate course work. Students are required to have a computer with web access (broadband access preferred) and a current web browser.

Broadly speaking, we study public administration to prepare for professional and administrative careers in the public or nonprofit sectors.

The Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration at California State University, Long Beach offers a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree.

The MPA is considered a gateway degree for a career in public service.

The MPA is specifically designed to prepare people for professional and administrative careers in the public or nonprofit sectors, while the MBA is more appropriate for those who are seeking careers in the private sector.

We are a fully accredited program by the Network of Schools of Public Policy Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).  All of our full-time faculty have the highest degrees in their fields from highly regarded universities, and have extensive experience in teaching and research. Our part-time faculty members are highly respected practitioners in the region. For over 23 years, many of our graduates have attained senior managerial and leadership positions in the public and nonprofit sectors. We have a flexible program that permits you to design a course of study that will help you achieve your particular career goals.

Yes, most of our students work full-time.

Since it is graduate school, this program can be very demanding of your time. It may take time for you to get used to being back in school. However, if you're willing to work hard and manage your time effectively, you should be fine. After all, we have hundreds of graduates who were in the same situation as you, and they were successful.

Generally, for each hour of class time, you can expect two hours of study time per week.

The DLMPA program is a cohort-based program. Students begin coursework in February and proceed through the program together as a group. Courses are six weeks in duration, and students take one class at a time. On-campus attendance is required on the first and last Saturday (9am-12noon) for each course. Weekly online meetings are conducted using Zoom software, and are scheduled for 6-9pm on either Mondays (odd-numbered cohorts) or Wednesdays (even-numbered cohorts). Zoom sessions are synchronous and require real-time attendance

To participate in the weekly Zoom sessions, students must utilize a computer, tablet, or smart device that is connected to the Internet. Students should also have a headset with a microphone to facilitate participation in the Zoom sessions.

Our program requires the completion of 39 units of coursework, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and completion of a Student Learning Portfolio.  Each course is three units, so there are 13 courses you must take. 

Yes, there are six required lecture courses and two directed research, independent study courses.

No, we have no thesis requirement or comprehensive exams, but we do require the completion of five case studies in PPA 697. Also, instead of formal comprehensive exams, we have a comprehensive Student Learning Portfolio requirement.

There is a two-part process. First, you must apply to the university. Second, you must apply to the MPA program.

All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants must file a complete graduate application as described in the graduate and post-baccalaureate admission materials at Cal State Apply.

Complete and submit the department’s Application for Admission, as well as a statement of career objectives and two letters of recommendation.

Two letters of recommendation are required from persons who are able to testify to your academic ability. Letters can be from a current or former professor and/or a current or former supervisor. 

The DLMPA Program admits for Spring semesters only. The application deadline is November 1.

You would need to apply to the next DLMPA cohort.

The process is the same for the department, but not for the university. First, you will need to contact CSULB’s International Admissions Specialist at CIE-Admission@csulb.edu.

You will need a 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate coursework from an accredited institution.

If you have at least a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 units of undergraduate coursework, you may be admitted by the university, but not by the department.

We look at a number of factors, such as where you got your undergraduate degree, the type of course you took, letters of recommendation, your statement of career objectives, and your work history.

It is very important. Prospective students who have clearly demonstrated substantial professional progress may be given extra consideration in the admission decision.

You have two choices if you want to continue to try to be admitted.  First, you may continue to work on your professional progress and re-apply in a year or two.  Second, you can take additional courses to increase your GPA.

They must be upper-level undergraduate or graduate courses from an accredited institution. Furthermore, you should take courses that are related to the study of public administration, such as social science courses.

No, but you may wish to take the quantitative, verbal, and analytical sections; and submit the scores to the department if you do not meet the GPA requirement.

If you have a graduate degree from an accredited graduate school, you automatically meet our GPA requirement, but you must still complete the other university and department requirements.

As noted above, the program requires 39 units. Each DLMPA course is six weeks in duration, with a typical one- to two-week break between courses. Coursework begins in February, and it typically takes approximately two years to complete the program.

The university requires that students complete graduate programs in seven years.

Yes, unless you take an educational or medical leave. Students who are not enrolled for one or more semesters without an educational or medical leave must re-apply to the university.

If you have completed your coursework, but still need to finish the Student Learning Portfolio, you must enroll in the GS 700 course to maintain your enrollment—up until and including the semester in which you wish to graduate.

The College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) registers students in courses.

Contact Jenny Sok Wisman in the PPA Department for more information.

All DLMPA students take one course at a time. This usually equates to a total of two courses per normal academic semester.

As stated above, you must take eight required courses and five electives. The electives in the DLMPA program are pre-selected by MPA faculty. Please refer to the most recent DLMPA course schedule to get an idea of the typical types of electives offered.

There are no prerequisites for DLMPA students.

DLMPA cohorts are “lock-step” in nature. This means that all members of the cohort will take the same courses in the same sequence.

Electives in the DLMPA program are pre-selected by MPA faculty.

Dr. David C. Powell (DLMPA Director) serves as faculty advisor for the DLMPA program.

No, there is no difference in our program between a 500 and 600 level course, although in some other departments there may be a difference.

First, you must make sure that you have satisfied all the program requirements as stated above for the MPA and university (see the University Catalog for details). Master’s degree students must have an approved advancement to candidacy on file. Second, at the same time that you submit your Advancement to Candidacy form, you should apply to graduate with Enrollment Services. DLMPA cohort members will fill out Advancement to Candidacy forms, and apply to graduate together as a group.

Please refer to the Advancement to Candidacy form found on the Student Handbooks & Forms page. This is your MPA program plan. MPA staff will complete your advancement to candidacy form, and the entire cohort will advance together typically during the summer of the first year in the program.

It will be provided by MPA staff.

The DLMPA cohort will advance together in the Summer semester in the first year of the program.