As a Master of Public Policy and Administration student, you will complete five core courses, then choose seven electives with input from the program director and finish with either a capstone project or a thesis.
Students who don’t have two or more years of public or nonprofit experience also complete an internship. For those who want to take their learning on the road, we offer faculty-led institute trips to Sacramento and Washington D.C.
This degree can be completed online, on campus or via a hybrid approach.
Core Courses (5 courses/15 credits)
All MPPA students take these courses. All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted.
Study of current methods of conducting research in public administration; problem definition, hypothesis construction, research design, sampling, collection, evaluation of data and interpretation of findings.
An examination of moral issues which arise within a public organization, e.g., privacy, obligation to obey the law, government responsibility and more.
Systematic analysis of the ideas and ideals which have influenced the study of public administration; exploring theories of public administration. Emphasis on state and local government.
A broad study of interactive processes which operate in the formation, maintenance and application of public policy. An opportunity to examine the policy process in selected public agencies. An examination of the relevant analysis as it relates to administration in the public sector.
An analysis of the impact of court and legislative decisions on public policy, with particular emphasis on public institutions; examining how public policy is shaped by law. Topics include: employment discrimination, managerial liability for negligence in hiring, training, supervision, etc., civil rights violations, employee rights in the workplace and more.
Electives (7 courses/21 credits)
You will choose seven elective courses with input from the program director. Students may also take graduate-level electives from other programs. Check with the program specialist for the current offerings for this year.
Examines the role of citizenry in our democracy and in the formulation of public policy. With a focus on local governance, this course introduces the student to the importance of engaging members of the public in decision making.
The course is intended to prepare students to think strategically about communication and to improve writing, presentation and interpersonal communication skills within a managerial setting. Professional and interpersonal dialogue and group communications will be explored. Managerial writing, public speaking, positive self-presentation and techniques for effective meetings will also be covered.
This course provides an in-depth perspective on crisis/emergency management and the preparedness process. Examining the study of crises in a political context and the key role of leadership, this course provides students with analytical tools as well as techniques to further critique and understand their own decisions. As a “hands-on” course, the class builds on real-life experiences and examples drawn from a variety of sources, both domestic and international, and offers students a refreshing and new perspective on emergency preparedness.
Taught by an experienced professional who has dealt with emergencies and crises, this course will open up new avenues for intellectual and practical exploration.
Environmental issues are critical drivers of policy creation and implementation. This course focuses on several important environmental topic areas and examines how they are addressed in local, state and federal government regulatory documents and decision-making processes.
The goal of this course is to provide an understanding of how environmental issues influence regulatory processes and outcomes, and how those outcomes shape the environment.
This course covers subjects such as governmental personnel systems, policies for classification, compensation, training and advancement, public employee unionization and developing strategies for collective negotiations in public organizations.
The course is designed to develop a set of core competencies and improve leadership practices. Topics covered include the historical development of leadership theories, communication, strategic analysis, leadership styles, organizational structure and teambuilding.
This seminar examines strategies employed in the pursuit of state and local economic development. It emphasizes practical application and implementation of economic concepts and strategies which address the challenges of competitiveness, growth, sustainability and community revitalization.
Introduction to principles and practices of management for nonprofit organizations. Includes surveys of important issues facing the nonprofit sector and best practices. Topics include governance, strategic planning, marketing, advocacy, public-private partnerships and fundraising.
This course covers subjects such as organization, leadership and decision theory. Contemporary developments in management and behavioral sciences are emphasized.
Professional city managers, much like executives running private sector corporations, blend together leadership, vision, and a focus on results in order to create better communities. From communications and strategic planning to performance measurement and fiscal acumen, successful city managers must master a wide array of core principles to achieve their goals.
Through a blend of case studies, text readings, journal articles and practical assignments, students will explore this diverse and challenging profession. The course will be taught through the lens of a practicing local administrator and give students a broad introduction to municipal management in the United States.
Topics covered in this course include: public budget planning, formulation, analysis and implementation; the fiscal role of government; and the problems of revenue and expenditure planning, administration and control.
Small group tutorial experience designed for in-depth exploration of a topic or problem.
This course is designed to introduce the student to the concepts and applications of descriptive and inferential statistics. The focus will be on developing a conceptual understanding of statistics and data analysis skills as well as their application to problems encountered by those in the public administration, management, policy analysis, public health and non-profit fields.
The course provides a multi-perspective examination of policy development processes through first hand observation of the policy process. Students travel to Sacramento for a four-day seminar at the state capital and interact with lawmakers, lobbyists, media, legislative analysts, regulators, political consultants and executive branch officials.
Topics of current and particular interest or concern in Public Administration, e.g., arbitration and collective bargaining, criminal justice policy, environmental policy and public healthcare policy.
- Immigration Policy
- Quantitative Methods for Public Policy & Administration
- Program Management & Evaluation
- Emergency & Crisis Management
- Urban Policy and Planning
- Independent Study
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of land use planning. It is intended to prepare students to make organizational decisions that require a base of knowledge in urban planning concepts and policies as well as an understanding of how land use decisions impact quality of life. The course instruction will focus on issues currently affecting Ventura County and its local municipalities, such as lack of affordable housing, a displaced work force, and attempts to implement policies that encourage smart growth and sustainability.
This course addresses contemporary theory and how it applies to community development. The course primarily focuses on the components of planning and the interaction of planning with different elements of government. Topics include policies relating to land use, growth management, redevelopment, property rights and other issues impacting urbanization and development.
Capstone or thesis (1 course/3 credits)
You choose the final project that works best for your goals.
A capstone is typically a group project where students work with an organization to solve a real world problem, gathering data, analyzing it and offering practical solutions to the policy challenge at hand. This can be with a local, state or national government agency or NGO.
In the thesis option, students undertake an in-depth study of a specific problem by collecting, analyzing and interpreting data. Their original research culminates in a thesis paper that contributes new knowledge to their field of study. This research should address a gap in existing knowledge and offer solutions or insights related to the problem investigated.
Internship
Students who enter the MPPA program with fewer than two years of public or nonprofit sector experience will complete a public administration internship as part of the program.
This typically involves at least 100 hours of supervised work in an approved position. The requirement may be waived under certain circumstances, but having an internship on your resume can support your career growth.
Institute Trips
MPPA students have ample opportunities to engage with policy work at the source. These faculty-led trips are available as elective courses.
Sacramento Policy Institute Trip
A four-day seminar in the state capital built around firsthand observation of California policy-making. Students interact directly with lawmakers, lobbyists, legislative analysts, regulators, advocacy organizations, political consultants and executive branch officials — the full range of people whose work shapes state policy.
D.C. Policy Institute Trip
A four-day visit to Washington D.C. focused on how federal institutions shape and implement policy. Past trips have included visits and conversations with representatives from Congress, the U.S. Navy, the Austrian Embassy, the Rumi Forum, the John Quincy Adams Society and the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization, among others.
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To learn more about the Graduate Degree Programs offered by the Cal Lutheran School of Management and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 805-521-9856.
