Master of Public Administration
Requirements
Requirements for Graduation
1. A minimum of 48 quarter units of acceptable graduate-level work, consistent with the program plan (with a grade point average of 3.0), with at least 36 units completed at this university;
2. At least 28 quarter units of credit taken after advancement to candidacy for the degree;
3. Successful completion of the required core and elective courses as outlined in the curriculum section;
4. A grade point average of 3.0 ("B") in all course work taken after admission to conditionally classified or classified status, and grades of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses in the program;
5. Successful completion of the graduate research project. The graduate research project is defined as an advanced field study in public administration including both literary and empirical research. This requirement is met by the student's enrollment in PA 695 during the last quarter of work in the program and completion of the project to the satisfaction of the student's advisor.
OR
Successful completion of an integrative comprehensive examination which may be taken any fall, winter or spring term after advancement to candidacy. Students with a grade point average below 3.0 ("B") will not be permitted to take the examination. A "no credit" (NC) designation will be entered on the student's transcript if he/she fails the examination. Students who do not receive a passing grade may elect to:
A. Repeat the examination, one additional time only, with the written approval of the Department's M.P.A. Graduate Director;
Note: With the written approval of the Department's M.P.A. Graduate Director, students who do not receive a passing grade after repeating the examination may complete PA 695. Graduate Research Project.
OR
B. Complete PA 695. Graduate Research Project.
The examination will be offered fall, winter and spring quarters. Only students who are currently classified, have been advanced to candidacy and are not on probation may take the examination.
6. In addition to satisfactory completion of the graduate entrance writing requirement (MGMT 306. Expository Writing for Administration with a grade of "B" or better), classified MPA students must satisfy the graduation writing requirement by:
A. Successful completion of M.P.A. core courses, with a grade point average of "B" or better, which require students to write in a manner appropriate for the discipline; and
B. Preparation of an acceptable Graduate Research Project (PA 695);
OR
A. Successful completion of M.P.A. core courses, with a grade point average of "B" or better which require students to write in a manner appropriate for the discipline; and
B. PA 999. Comprehensive Examination (0) which requires acceptable expository writing skills;
7. Any additional general requirements not cited above and listed on Page 341.
Degree Requirements (48 units)
Comprehensive Examination Option
1. PA 603. Research Methods in Administration (4)
2. PA 611. Public Administration Theory and Practice (4)
3. PA 615. Public Financial Management (4)
4. PA 662. Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (4)
5. PA 663. Public Budgeting and Finance (4)
6. PA 664. Management of Public Organizations (4)
7. PA 672. Administrative Regulation (4)
8. PA 680. Public Policy Analysis (4)
9. Sixteen units of electives to be chosen from any Department of Public Administration 500- or 600-level courses in consultation with an advisor or from related fields with advance approval from the chair of the Department of Public Administration. No more than twelve units may be taken from 500-level courses.
10. PA 999. Comprehensive Examination (0)
Students must successfully complete requirements 1-8 in order to register for the comprehensive examination.
Graduate Research Project Option
1. Four units chosen from:
MGMT 603. Research Methods in Administration (4)
PA 603. Research Methods in Administration (4)
2. PA 611. Public Administration Theory and Practice (4)
3. PA 615. Public Financial Management (4)
4. PA 662. Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (4)
5. PA 663. Public Budgeting and Finance (4)
6. PA 664. Management of Public Organizations (4)
7. PA 672. Administrative Regulation (4)
8. PA 680. Public Policy Analysis (4)
9. PA 695. Graduate Research Project (4)
10. Twelve units of electives to be chosen from any Department of Public Administration 500- or 600-level courses in consultation with an advisor.
Students may take up to two courses at the 500- or 600-level from related fields with the permission of the College of Business & Public Administration graduate committee. Students who wish to take up to two 300- or 400-level courses must petition the college's director of graduate studies for approval in advance; for each course approved, they will be required to enroll simultaneously in a two-unit independent study course directly related to the course selected. These independent study units cannot be applied to any graduate degree unit requirements.
Only conditionally classified and classified students (or those who have the consent of the college director of graduate studies) may enroll in 600-level courses.
Students may not include more than 12 quarter units in transfer credit from other colleges. California State University, San Bernardino will not consider for transfer credit course work from any institution which will not accept that work in its own advanced degree program.
Please refer to the University catalog at http://catalog.csusb.edu for official information.