Master of Public Administration - DLMPA
Degree Program

ACCEPTING SPRING 2010 APPLICATIONS

Accelerated

The Master of Public Policy and Administration--Distance Learning program is offered by CSULB's Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration in partnership with the College of Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE). The convenient online format of the distance learning MPA allows working professionals to complete the program in a short period of time without career interruption. This innovative learning opportunity features web-based, real-time, interactive sessions with students and faculty.

This program is designed to provide a diverse student population with the professional competencies necessary for leadership and management roles in public service, and in community-based and nonprofit organizations. The program emphasizes the theory, practice, skills, and the ethics necessary to promote excellence in public service management.

Program participants proceed through a sequence of pre-selected courses as a learning team. The course components are delivered via the web and a face-to-face Saturday class meeting on the CSULB campus. One night per week, students will participate in a synchronous web-cast lecture/discussion with the course instructor. This real-time, interactive session will be conducted using Elluminate software. Students will also participate in one asynchronous class session using BlackBoard software. Students are not required to purchase software to participate in the program.

Accredited program

• Six-week sessions and courses offered in a sequential accelerated format
• Cohort learning team
• Courses taught by CSULB faculty with years of academic and professional experience
• Complete the program in as few as 22 months
• Degree offers a blend of leadership and management expertise
• Professional network of over 1,700 CSULB MPA graduates in Southern California and the nation

• Professionals working in the public sector
• Public managers and administrators
• City managers and public officials
• Individuals who desire advanced management skills/knowledge and would like to have the ability to move up within their agency

• Leadership roles in the public sector
• Management skills for public service and community-based organizations

The MPA Degree requires 36 semester units of graduate course work. The program consists of seven required courses and five electives, each providing three units of credit. Students are required to have a computer with web access (broadband access preferred) and a current web browser.

A minimum of 24 units of 500/600 level courses in PPA, 15 units of elective course work, and the completion of the student learning portfolio.

• PPA 500, Foundations of Public Policy and Administration
• PPA 555, Government Budgeting and Finance
• PPA 577, Public Sector Personnel Administration
• PPA 660, Seminar in Organization Theory and Behavior
• PPA 670, Seminar of Policy Issue Analysis
• PPA 696, Research Methods in Public Administration
• PPA 697, Directed Research

• PPA 554, Public Works Facilities and Urban Policy
• PPA 570, Negotiating Dynamics: Strategies and Skills
• PPA 571, Leadership Skills and Strategies in Public Sector
• PPA 575, Public Sector Employer-Employee Relations
• PPA 610, Seminar in Urban Affairs

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.0. An applicant not meeting this minimum requirement, but with managerial experience, may be given special consideration by the Center Admissions Committee.
• Official copy of all college/university transcripts (in addition to those provided to the university), including transcripts showing a B.A. or B.S.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in public service, or a career goal of employment in government or nonprofit organizations.

David C. Powell, conducts research in budgeting and finance, Internet taxation, and intergovernmental relations. His articles have appeared in Publius: The Journal of Federalism, The Justice Professional, and State Tax Notes. Former professor at Florida Gulf Coast University and Cleveland State University the M.P.A. programs and in the Political Science program at Eastern Illinois University.

For more information about the DLMPA program or to request an application packet, please contact Shawn Bauer, DLMPA Program Coordinator, at (562) 985-4179, sbauer@csulb.edu.