Overview

Key features

The Public Administration MPA program from San Francisco State University offers eight elective themes to guide course selection for student specialization. They are criminal justice administration, environmental administration, gerontology administration, nonprofit administration, public management, public policy, and urban administration. Students may also self-design a theme by choosing courses relevant to their professional interests offered by other departments and programs throughout the University.

Program Learning Outcomes

Meet challenges of rapidly changing world

Lead and manage in public governance

Apply a wide range of knowledge about the public service

Apply a wide range of knowledge about an elective area within public service

Evidence professional skills necessary for the public service

Participate in and contribute to the public policy process

Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions

Articulate and apply a public service perspective

Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry

Write effectively and concisely for an audience of professionals

Present effectively to small and large groups

Word effectively in groups and teams

Communicate and work to ensure social justice, equity and other public service values highlighted by the Program

Career paths

Well-trained, competent, and ethical professionals are in high demand in all sectors. Graduates from the MPA program emerge with proficiency in theoretical foundations of public administration, a combination of technical professional skills and soft leadership skills and high levels of analytical competency. They graduate with a portfolio of applied field projects that demonstrate those skills and competencies. Our graduates serve in a wide array of local, state, and federal government agencies, domestic and international nonprofit organizations, and research and consulting firms. A few pursue Ph.D.s at other universities to enter into a career in higher education.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Governance and Management

Design and Consumption of Research

Applied Data Analysis

Policy Process and Civic Engagement

Organization Design and Change Management

Performance Management and Planning

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-01-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-01 00:00:00

Language

English

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

39 SCH

39-42

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

San Francisco, United States

Disciplines

Public Administration View 604 other Masters in Public Administration in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Statement of purpose to the SF State MPA Program (in no more four pages, double-spaced): Life experiences that have led you to an interest in public service (public or nonprofit); Background in the public service, including any work or volunteer experience you might have in public or nonprofit agencies; Areas of specific interests in the public service, including what has led you to these specific interests; Career and professional goals and aspiration; How the MPA degree will be helpful and consistent with your career goals and aspirations; Why the program is a good fit for you and your professional goals.

Your current resume.

Two (2) letters of recommendation. These should be from individuals who know the candidate 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 candidate's work.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

9870 USD / year

≈ 9870 USD / year
Out-of-State

9870 USD / year

≈ 9870 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

9870 USD / year

≈ 9870 USD / year

Additional Details

Out-of-State and International students must pay $444.00 PER UNIT in addition to the tuition fees

Living costs

San Francisco

United States

2206 - 4119 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Public Administration.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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About

Overview

Key features

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

San Francisco

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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