The MPA Program's diverse student body are current and future leaders in the public and non-profit sectors in the Southern California region. Most MPA students work full-time while pursuing their degree; thus, all MPA Program courses are held in the evenings to allow for an accessible and flexible education.
MPA Program Characteristics (Spring 2024)
Total Student Enrollment: 74
Percent Female Students: 65%
Percent Minority Students: 73%
Typical Core Class Size: 20
Typical Elective Class Size: 15
Program Completion Rate
The MPA program can be completed in approximately two years. The program completion rates for the 31 students initially enrolled in the 2017-2018 academic year are:
Within 2 Years: 23%
Within 4 Years: 84%
The majority of our students work full-time while completing the program, which affects the length of time to graduate. On average, more than 90 percent of our students are employed full-time while completing the program; thus, due to work and family commitments, many MPA students elect to take only one or two courses per term or not to take courses during a particular term depending on their schedule.
While the time to program completion is extended, our students appreciate the flexibility the program affords them. Per University policy and federal Title V requirements, graduate courses expire after seven years; thus, students must finish their program within seven years.
Internship Placements
MPA Program students without relevant professional work experience complete an internship before graduating. In 2022-2023, MPA students completed internships at several organizations, including:
City of Los Angeles
Ready to Launch
Pat Brown Institute (James R. Galbraith Public Policy Fellowship)
Career Placements
Our MPA Program graduates work in a diversity of settings, including local, state, and federal government agencies and national, regional, and community non-profit organizations. Following graduation, the share of our students who graduated during the 2021-2022 academic year employed in or pursuing opportunities in the public, non-profit, and private sectors is reported below:
| Sector |
Percentage of 2021-2022 Graduates |
Number of 2021-2022 Graduates |
| Federal Government | 6.1% | 2 |
| State Government | 9.1% | 3 |
| Local Government | 54.5% | 18 |
| International Government | 0% | 0 |
| Domestic Non-Profit | 21.2% | 7 |
| Private Sector Consulting | 3.0% | 1 |
| Private Sector Other | 6.1% | 2 |
| Military | 0% | 0 |
| Status Unknown | 0% | 0 |
| Total | 100% | 33 |
Organizations that employ our 2021-2022 graduates include:
MPA Alumni Association
The MPA Alumni Association serves as a resource for current MPA students and alumni. Visit the MPA Alumni Association's Facebook page for announcements and events.