Be a part of our innovative and rewarding professional program, geared for working adults. Our program is built upon high impact educational practices, traditional and hybrid courses, a convenient location in downtown San Francisco right over the Powell Street BART Station, and the best value for your tuition dollar in the Bay Area.
The SF State Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program offers students the opportunity to earn their MPA by taking a mix of in-person and hybrid courses in the heart of downtown San Francisco.
The MPA Program is home to five full-time tenured faculty members. In addition, between three and eight part-time affiliated faculty also teach MPA classes. Part-time affiliated faculty include colleagues from other PACE programs, professors emeriti, and practitioners.
Our courses are taught using effective, so-called high impact practices (HIPs) like collaborative assignments, community-based learning, and capstone experiences. All students in our Program complete an eportfolio highlighting the knowledge and skills they have gained over the course of the degree. Two examples of the eportfolios from recent graduates emphasize the types of learning in which our MPA students engage, the variety of assignments and course content they complete, and the quality of SF State MPA students' work.
C. Morales Eportolio
C. Pflaumer Eportfolio
B. Venerable Eportfolio
General Information
- Degree name: Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
- Accreditation: Nationally accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
- Organizational Relationship: The Public Administration Program is part of the School of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, College of Health and Social Sciences
- Program Delivery Modes: Courses are delivered face to face, hybrid, and online. For Fall 2020, all courses will be delivered remotely-- online and via Zoom
- Number of Credit Units: The MPA at SF State requires 39-42 credit units
- Elective Emphases: Public Service Management, Nonprofit Administration, Urban Administration, Public Policy, Environmental Administration, Criminal Justice Administration, Gerontological Administration, Self-Designed Emphasis
- Number of Students: 105-140
- Number of Full-Time Faculty: Five, with numerous part-time and contributing faculty (see Faculty Page)
- Cost of Degree
- Admissions
Mission
The mission of the SF State MPA Program is to enhance individual and organizational capacity to serve the public and nonprofit sectors through engaged and innovative teaching, research and service.
We teach effective public administration by enriching students with knowledge and skills to inspire innovation and motivate continuous improvement.
As faculty and students, we work to provide applied research and service to the community.
We instill an appreciation for public service values such as: accountability, civic engagement, equity, social justice, and sustainability.