MPA Program Admissions

Students applying to San Francisco State University’s Public Administration Program should familiarize themselves with its prospective student information in addition to the admissions process requirements and relevant deadlines for admission set by the Graduate Division

There are lots of reasons why potential students should come to the SF State MPA Program — check them out!

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Admissions Information

General Requirements for Admission

Minimum requirements for admission to graduate study in the California State University are in accordance with Title 5, Division 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations. 

To meet minimum eligibility standards for graduate study at San Francisco State, an applicant must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authority
  2. Be in good academic standing at the last college of university attended
  3. Have a 3.0 GPA in their earned undergraduate degree or in the last 60 semester (90) quarter units completed, or have earned a post-baccalaureate degree
  4. Meet additional departmental requirements

Requirements by the Program for Admission

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Public Administration degree program, students must have at least a 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 units of their previous coursework. The GRE is not required for admission. There is no prerequisite coursework required for admission. Successful candidates should have one to two years of work experience in the public or nonprofit sectors.

International applicants should consult the Graduate Division's International Applicants information.

Application Deadlines

  • For admission to Fall: May 1, with the review of completed applications to begin on April 1
  • For admission to the Spring semester: November 1, with the review of completed applications to begin on October.  

Application Process

Apply online through Cal State Apply. Submit the following materials by uploading them to the Cal State Apply online application:

  1. Statement of purpose to the SF State MPA Program. This statement of purpose should address the following prompts in a coherent essay of 3 – 4 pages, double-spaced: 
    • Life experiences that have contributed to your interest in public administration. We are especially interested in reading about any direct experience with one or more of the following: 
      • Civic engagement in any way (e.g., as an organizer, as a professional tasked with engaging constituents, or as a member of a community being engaged by public or nonprofit organizations) 
      • Issues related to diversity , equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in any setting (e.g., school, work, community). Experiences may include having been subject to discrimination or exclusionary policies or practices, advocating or organizing for change, or working to adopt or implement DEIB initiatives. 
      • Working or volunteering in public or nonprofit agencies or other organizations that serve the public (e.g., program management, consulting, auditing, law, government relations).   
    • Career goals and professional interests or aspirations, including what informs them. We are especially interested in reading about your goals, interests, or aspirations related to one or more of the following:   
      • Specific issues or policy areas (e.g., affordable housing, education, environmental, immigration, regulatory).   
      • Subfields within public administration (e.g., financial management, human capital management, nonprofit management, public policy, urban administration).   
      • Civic engagement, advocacy, or community organizing (e.g., initiatives, policies, programs, research).   
      • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, including any dimensions of diversity or equity (e.g., economic, environmental, gender, health, racial) that may be the focus of your interests.   
    • How the MPA degree will be helpful and consistent with your career goals and aspirations   
    • Why the SF State MPA degree program is a good fit for you and your career / professional goals. We are especially interested in reading about your alignment with any of the public service values SF State’s MPA Program elevates: accountability, civic engagement, effectiveness, equity, inclusivity, social justice, and sustainability.  
    • Why this is the right time in your career to seek an MPA degree. ​ 
  2. Your current resume.
  3. 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.

Applicants must meet all University admission requirements to be accepted into the MPA program. Applicants are judged on a competitive basis.

Potential applicants who are still completing their undergraduate work should strengthen their preparation for the program with courses in public administration, economics, politics, public policy and research techniques as well as experience working in either the public or nonprofit sectors.

Learn more about PACE programs and admissions, by meeting our faculty and learning about the admissions processes.

 

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