Master of Public Administration
You Know How The System Works. The MPA Gives You the Authority to Change It.
Advance Your Career in Public Service
100% online program built for professionals ready to lead in government and nonprofit sectors
Cal Poly Pomona's NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration prepares public sector professionals to move from analyst to director, from coordinator to executive, from the people who implement policy to the people who shape it.
100% online. Evening and weekend scheduling. No GRE required.
At A Glance
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What NASPAA Accreditation Means for Your Career
NASPAA is the global accreditor for public administration, public policy, and public affairs graduate programs. Fewer than 200 programs worldwide hold this accreditation. When your application for a director-level role, a promotion panel, or a senior government position includes a NASPAA-accredited degree, the credential carries weight that non-accredited programs cannot match.
California civil service classification systems, government hiring panels, and nonprofit executive search processes increasingly recognize NASPAA-accredited programs as the benchmark for graduate public administration training. This is the credential public sector leaders carry.
Program Highlights
- NASPAA-accredited — the credential public sector employers recognize
- 100% online with evening and weekend flexibility for working professionals
- Applied curriculum built on real public service challenges
- Faculty with direct experience in government, nonprofits, and civic leadership
- Focus on ethics, equity, and evidence-based decision-making
- Capstone project addressing a real policy or organizational issue in your field
- Authorized for students in multiple states — check your state's eligibility
Who Should Apply?
The MPA is for public servants who are ready to lead. If you have been in government, nonprofit, or civic service for 3 or more years and want the credential that opens senior doors, this program was built for your career stage.
- City, county, and state government employees seeking director or management-level promotion
- Nonprofit managers and program coordinators who are ready for executive leadership
- Policy analysts who want the credentialing authority to shape decisions, not just inform them
- Public servants doing the leadership work without the leadership title — and ready to change that
What You’ll Learn
The Skills That Move You From Analyst to Director
The MPA curriculum equips you to analyze and evaluate public policy, manage budgets and organizational resources, and navigate human resources and labor relations specific to government and nonprofit organizations. You develop leadership skills, ethical frameworks, and strategic decision-making tools that drive career advancement in public service.
Where MPA Graduates Go
MPA graduates advance into roles including City Manager, County Program Director, Policy Analyst, Nonprofit Executive Director, Department Director, and Public Affairs Officer. Alumni serve across government agencies, nonprofits, NGOs, and higher education institutions in Southern California and beyond.
Important Dates for Domestic Graduate Applicants
| Term of Application | Application Deadline | Supporting Document Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | July 1, 2026 | August 1, 2026 |
Important Dates for International Graduate Applicants
| Term of Application | Application Deadline | Supporting Document Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | May 1, 2026 | June 1, 2026 |
Your Path to Enrollment
Bachelor's degree, transcripts, statement of purpose, and resume required. Work experience in public or nonprofit sectors is valuable but not mandatory.
Applications open October 1, 2026 for Fall 2027 admission. Deadline: July 1, 2027. Contact an advisor to confirm your entry term.
100% online with evening and weekend flexibility. Designed to accommodate working public servants without requiring career interruption.
Affordable CSU tuition. Financial aid available. Many government employers offer tuition support — ask your HR department or an advisor.
Where This Degree Can Take You
Leadership Paths in Public Service and Community Impact
Contact Us
Dr. Brady Collins
Department of Political Science