Top Online Master of Public Administration Programs in California (CA)
If you’re aiming for a leadership role in California’s public sector, earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) can open doors to higher-level positions. But balancing graduate school with professional and personal responsibilities can feel overwhelming. Online MPA programs offer a practical solution, providing flexible, high-quality education tailored to your busy life.
In this STEPS guide, you’ll discover California’s best online MPA programs, explore detailed information about each program, and get practical answers to common questions. We’ll also share valuable insights into career opportunities and salary expectations, helping you plan your next steps with confidence.
Inside California’s Online MPA Programs
As a large state with a wide variety of colleges and universities, California has many online MPA programs for you to choose from. Which program is right for you will depend on a variety of considerations. Is there a particular specialization you want to pursue? Do you want a program that’s 100% online, or are you open to hybrid programs, or programs with an off-campus mandatory internship?
Once you’ve identified your needs, you’ll want to look at admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, tuition costs, and more. To help you get started in your research, below are three profiles of high-quality online MPA programs in California for you to consider.
University of Southern California
The online MPA at the University of Southern California (USC) is a competitive program offered through the Sol Price School of Public Policy. This is an online program, although you will be required to complete some experiential learning as part of your final capstone project. As a selective, NASPAA-accredited program, the MPA requires applicants to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited school with a GPA of 3.0 or higher strongly recommended. Applications that are received before the first financial aid application deadline are eligible for an application fee waiver.
Duration: 2 years
Mode: Online
Cost: $94,160
Curriculum:
- Fundamentals of Public Administration
- Professional Residency in Public Administration
- Essential Statistics for Public Management
- Public and Nonprofit Organizational Behavior
- Economics for Public Policy
- Management Elective
- Analytic Elective
- Public and Nonprofit Organizational Behavior
- Public Financial Management and Budgeting
- Capstone Residency
- Elective Option
- Capstone in Public Administration
California State University–East Bay
The MPA at Cal State East Bay is a 100% online program, with both synchronous and asynchronous classes. Once enrolled, you will be able to choose a concentration in either public management and policy analysis or health care administration. While your concentration will impact your course requirements, you will be required to complete a final graduate synthesis. To apply, you should hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited school with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and you must submit a Statement of Purpose alongside your application.
Duration: Two to three years
Mode: Online
Cost: $9,688/year
Curriculum:
- Public Administration Philosophy, Theory, and Practice
- Research Methods in Public Administration
- Seminar in Human Organizations, Change, and Social Realities
- Seminar in the Public Policy Process
- Management, Human Resources, and Ethics in the Public Sector
- Public Budgeting and Finance Administration
- Health Care Management, Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Evolution of the U.S. Health Care System, Health Disparities and Policy
- Graduate Synthesis
- Issues in Public Administration
San Diego State University
The online MPA at San Diego State University is an accelerated program that can be completed in as little as 16 months of full-time study. Courses are offered in an asynchronous format for maximum flexibility. In addition to traditional public administration and policy courses, students must complete applied research and a capstone seminar to graduate. The majority of the curriculum is set before you enroll, although you will have the opportunity to choose electives. Applicants to this program should hold an accredited undergraduate degree with a GPA of 2.85 or higher.
Duration: 16 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $19,836
Curriculum:
- Scope of Public Administration
- Methods of Analysis
- Quantitative Approaches
- Public Personnel Administration
- Public Financial Management
- Policy Design and Analysis – Electives
- Administrative Theory
- Administration and Public Policy Development
- Seminar in Applied Research
- Capstone Seminar in Public Affairs
FAQs From California MPA Students
Where do MPA graduates in California work?
As a California MPA graduate, you’ll be able to pursue job opportunities from state government work in Sacramento to nonprofit and community initiative management in towns, cities, and rural communities across the state. You will also be eligible to apply for jobs out of state, including roles dealing with or working for the federal government. Consider using any internships or practical experiences in your program to get an idea of what job might be best for you after graduation.
How long will it take to finish my online MPA program in California?
As you can see in the school profiles above, a full-time MPA program in California can take anywhere from 16 months to three years to complete. This will vary from program to program, but you may also consider if your program offers a part-time study option. These programs can be great for working students or students with family responsibilities, but they’ll obviously take longer to complete.
Are California online MPA programs accredited?
It is vitally important that your online MPA program come from an accredited school. This means that your school meets certain academic standards and can legitimately award degrees. Some programs, like the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) accredited online MPA at the University of Southern California, also have programmatic accreditation, which can be an additional mark of prestige.
Can I get financial aid for my online MPA in California?
There are multiple ways to obtain financial aid for your online MPA in California. Filling out your FAFSA on time will make you eligible for federal aid, including both grants and loans, while your school may also have a separate financial aid application for school sponsored aid, either need-based or merit-based. Be sure to also look into any private scholarships, especially those specifically for MPA students.
Can I work while I study my online MPA in California?
Some students work over the course of their online MPA studies, whether for experience to boost employability after graduation, to financially support themselves, or both. This can be challenging for students in accelerated programs or those with a mandatory internships as part of their programs. So be sure that you can balance your studies with any professional responsibilities you may take on.
California Resources MPA Students & Professionals
As you pursue your online MPA in California, you may want to begin building your professional network–and you’ll likely be interested in funding opportunities. California is a large state full of resources for public policy students and professionals, but here are just a few to get you started.
California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators: This organization represents the needs of public administration professionals throughout California. Member benefits include access to legislative education, networking opportunities, and certifications. Members can participate in synchronous or asynchronous online training.
California State Office of Administrative Law: This is a state government office that controls the laws surrounding agency regulations. Future California public administrators may work directly with (or for) this organization after completing an MPA.
SoCal ASPA: The Southern California chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, which is a chapter of the national membership organization, holds an annual conference as well as regular networking events for Southern California public administration professionals.
USC Online Public Policy Scholarships: The University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy offers a variety of scholarships and funding opportunities specifically for online MPA students. These include grants and partnerships with public policy organizations.
William E. Neeley Public Administration Fellowship: This scholarship is offered by Cal State Stanislaus for public administration graduate students. Fellows must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled at least part-time.
Top Picks: Online MPA Programs in California
Which California online MPA program is right for you is a personal decision. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t objective factors to consider. That’s why we provided the following rankings of the best online California MPA programs. Rankings are based on a holistic consideration of factors including the availability and ease of online learning, student resources for online students, and cost and financial aid programs. For more information, check out the methodology tab below.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Private
California Baptist University
Riverside, California
Private
California State University-East Bay
Hayward, California
Public
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, California
Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, California
Public
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, California
Public
