Welcome
Students admitted Fall 2020 or after, will need to pursue a Concentration. Students may only have one concentration. You select the concentration when you apply to the MPA through CSU Apply. Students wishing to add/remove or switch concentrations must submit a Change of Concentrations form (found in the forms page) to the PA office for approval and then return to Records and Registration with a $6 Records charge
Concentration in Human Resources
The Human Resources concentration focuses on developing practical and theoretical expertise in public sector personnel management, including recruitment, labor relations, and performance evaluation. Offered in collaboration with the JHBC’s Management Department, this concentration prepares students to effectively lead and manage human capital in government and nonprofit organizations.
Concentration in Leadership
You deserve a solid education and a promising, secure career. The Leadership Concentration provides well-rounded instruction to students who are, or would like to be, managers and executives in the public service. Managing any public organization is a challenge, with calls for efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and due process. Mentored by our highly regarded faculty, students become leaders who have a thorough understanding of day-to-day management, and the knowledge needed to guide their agencies into the future. Graduates learn to inspire confidence in their followers, clients, and the general public.
Concentration in Nonprofit Management
The nonprofit management concentration analyzes the specific problems of management in nonprofit organizations and provides those serving in the nonprofit industry with the business knowledge and skills vital to leadership. Participants of this program are provided with an unparalleled educational experience.
Concentration in Public Financial Management
The public financial management concentration supports development of applied and theoretical public financial expertise and prepares graduates to make strong organizational contributions focused on public financial management. The Public Financial Management concentration supports development of applied and theoretical public financial expertise. It provides a skill set which is highly valued and in constant demand by public as well as nonprofit agencies. The concentration prepares MPA graduates to make strong organizational contributions focused on public financial management.
Concentration in Cybersecurity
The MPA with a concentration in Cybersecurity is a program that prepares students for one of the fastest growing fields. Students in this concentration take the regular MPA core curriculum, and then five additional courses. Please note that cybersecurity courses are offered in person and that you cannot earn the cybersecurity concentration entirely online.
In this concentration you will learn the basics of policy management in the area of cybersecurity, as well as the skills and applications for securing information systems and assuring the integrity of an organization's operational information.
Concentration in Community Planning and Management
The concentration in Community Planning and Management is for students who wish to work in the planning and management of places: including those who seek to work as public planners, city managers, parks and recreational area managers, federal, state and county land management agencies, economic development, housing planners, and community organizers.
The specialized course work in this concentration is centered on the general aims of planning for healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities.