There is a point in a public service career where the work gets bigger than what you trained for. You are running programs, managing budgets, shaping decisions that affect real people and the gap between what you know and what you need to do to make a bigger impact starts to feel real. The California Lutheran University Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) is built to close that gap.

Two Skill Sets in One Program

The MPPA combines public policy and public administration into a single curriculum that’s built for professionals who want both sides of the equation: the ability to shape policy and the skills to manage what happens after it passes.

You graduate with the analytical tools to design and assess policy and the leadership training to implement it.

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Join a Community of People Who Know the Work

The students and faculty in this program are city managers, nonprofit leaders, policy analysts and advocates who are already working on the problems this program is built around. Many of them know Southern California’s policy landscape firsthand, the agencies, the local politics, the community dynamics, and that knowledge shows up in the classroom.

You learn alongside people who have sat in those meetings, managed those budgets and know what it takes to move something forward. The relationships that come out of that last, because they are grounded in shared purpose.

Why Choose the Cal Lutheran Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA)?

Build the Skills for Analysis and Action

The curriculum builds out two things in parallel: the policy expertise to understand what needs to change, and the writing and analytical skills to make it actually happen. More about the MPPA curriculum.

Real Projects, Real Connections

MPPA faculty are active in Southern California’s public sector, which means the issues you study are current, the projects are grounded in real communities, and the professional networks you build through the program have local roots. More about internships and institute trips.

Flexibility That Fits a Full Life

Evening classes, online options and a hybrid format give you real flexibility. Five start dates throughout the year mean you begin when the timing is right for you. Most students complete the program in about two years while working full time. See what you need to apply.

Work That Reflects What You Value

Public service means different things to different people. The MPPA is versatile enough to support a range of goals, but also highly personal with coursework you can customize to your goals and professors who get you where you want to go. More about what it takes to lead in public service today.

Sit In on a Class

See what it feels like to be a Cal Lutheran MPPA student. Prospective students are welcome to attend a class before applying, at no cost. To arrange a visit or attend an online session, contact Director and Associate Professor Sabithulla Khan at sabkhan@callutheran.edu.

“The knowledge and experience provided by the MPPA program increased my ability to understand and assimilate regulatory and policy changes within my industry, thus bringing more value to my clientele. The caliber of professors and the speakers introduced to us opened doors for me and strengthened my confidence in networking.”

Maryjane Macleod, Cal Lutheran MPPA alum

What Will You Learn in the MPPA Program?

In the Cal Lutheran MPPA degree, you will complete five core courses, choose seven electives with input from the program director and finish with either a capstone project or a thesis.

If you have fewer than two years of public or nonprofit sector experience, you’ll also complete an internship to bulk up your resume. Learn more about the internship requirements.

Core courses include:

  • Research Methods
  • Ethics in Public Policy and Administration
  • Public Administration Theory
  • Implementation and Analysis of Public Policy
  • Law and Public Policy

See our course descriptions and full list of course options →

MPPA Program Outcomes

  • Gain purpose-driven policy expertise while strengthening your skills in analysis and writing to address urgent community needs
  • Understand policy creation and public leadership through a program designed for those who want to both shape and implement change
  • Connect with change makers whose work transforms systems, advances equality and builds more resilient communities
  • Transform ideas into action through hands-on projects that develop real-world solutions for society’s most pressing challenges
  • Discover your unique contribution to public service through a program that helps you align professional growth with personal values and social impact

Want more information? Download our brochure or explore the curriculum page.

Talk To Someone Who Knows the MPPA Program

Our enrollment specialists are some of the best people to talk to when you’re considering Cal Lutheran’s MPPA. They know the program deeply and they genuinely want to help you make the right call.

Call Us: 805-521-9856 or Request a Call

Who Is This MPPA Program For?

The MPPA is for people who want to understand how public policy works from end to end: the analysis that shapes it and the leadership that carries it forward. Students come from government, nonprofits, advocacy and the private sector. Most are working full-time. All of them want to take on more responsibility in public service and need the tools to do it well.

This program is also for people who want a graduate experience that feels personal. At Cal Lutheran, you are part of a program where people know each other. Classes are small, faculty are invested and the relationships you build here carry into your career.

Ready to join us? See our admissions checklist and start your application.

Career Outcomes: What Can You Do With a Public Policy and Administration Master’s?

The MPPA sits at the intersection of two disciplines that are usually taught separately. That combined focus on policy analysis and public administration is what gives graduates the range to move across sectors and roles.

Our graduates have found success in California and beyond. Some work in the private sectors as public relations officers, college professors and insurance executives. In the public and nonprofit sector, they are serving in public policy and public administration jobs such as:

  • City managers
  • Public safety administrators
  • Lobbyists
  • Human resource managers
  • Police and correctional management
  • Policy analysts
  • Attorneys
  • Recreation directors
  • Mental health directors
  • Directors of philanthropic organizations
  • School administrators
  • Managers in federal, state and city offices

What Salary Can You Earn?

Salaries mostly depend on your experience, where you work and what you do, but having a sense of the range helps. The figures below are a useful reference point if you like to see the numbers early in your research.

Job Title
Salary

Fundraising Managers
$123,000.00

Legislators
$54,000.00

Public Relations Specialists
$82,000.00

Political Scientist
$139,380.00

Social and Community Service Managers
$79,000.00

Urban and Regional Planners
$105,000.00

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

See How the MPPA Supports Real Careers

Read about the experiences of three recent Cal Lutheran MPPA graduates who used their education to advance their careers across industries:

You can browse more posts on The Public Sphere blog.

MPPA Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Public Policy and Administration program is to produce leaders who are equipped with the analytical tools and real-world experience to deal with the challenges and opportunities of policymaking and public leadership in a diverse, ever-changing world.

To do this, our program provides:

  • Inspiration, academic training and an intellectual atmosphere that prepares students to enter public service careers, whether in government, the nonprofit sector or the private sector
  • Opportunities for mid-career professionals to advance through learning, networking and mentoring
  • A strong curriculum that focuses on local, national and international issues from both a theoretical and practitioner perspective, readying our graduates to make positive impact on society
  • Opportunities for advancing and building on research, engaging in public service and gaining a deeper understanding of civil society

Frequently Asked Questions: MPPA Degree

An MPA (Master of Public Administration) focuses on leadership and management in public organizations. An MPP (Master of Public Policy) focuses on research, analysis and policy design.

The MPPA combines both into one credential. You graduate with the analytical tools to design and assess policy and the leadership training to implement it. That combination gives graduates broader career flexibility across government, nonprofit and private sector roles. For a deeper comparison, read our full breakdown of MPA vs. MPP and how the MPPA incorporates both.

Most students complete the MPPA in 18 to 24 months, so about 2 years. The program is 39 credits, and both part-time and full-time options are available.

There are five start dates throughout the year. Classes are offered evenings, online, on campus in Thousand Oaks or a mix of both. Most students work full-time while completing the program.

You have three options for completing your MPPA: in person at our Thousand Oaks location, online at your convenience or a combination of both.

Cal Lutheran offers several ways to build your network and plan your next career move while in the program:

  • Classes of fewer than 15 students mean the relationships you build with professors and classmates are close and lasting. Faculty bring active professional networks into the classroom and often connect students directly with opportunities.
  • Optional faculty-led institute trips to Sacramento and Washington D.C. give students firsthand access to policymakers, advocacy organizations and government institutions.
  • Cal Lutheran’s Career Services office is available to all students, including those studying online. Services include one-on-one career counseling, resume and interview support, job and internship listings and regular workshops on topics like job search strategy and professional development.
  • The School of Management runs events throughout the year that connect students with business, civic and community leaders, including the Entrepreneur Speaker Series, the New Venture Fair and the PRiME Competition. See all upcoming events.

Your research has brought you here for a reason, so explore these resources to keep learning about the Master of Public Policy and Administration:

Explore on your own: Download a brochure, see the curriculum or review admissions requirements.

Talk with someone who knows the program: An enrollment specialist can answer questions and help you figure out if this is the right move for you. Call 805-521-9856 to talk one-on-one.