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General
Admissions
Academic Progress
Advising
Practical Details
Please click here to download FAQs
GENERAL
1. What
do I gain from taking an MPA?
Aside from expanding your knowledge base in your desired field, most MPA graduates earn more than those with BA degrees. Employers are also more likely to hire or promote those with their MPA. [top]
2. Is
this a good MPA program?
It is nationally accredited by NASPAA, it is more rigorous than other comparable programs and 95% of our alumni say that it has been helpful to them in their careers. It is especially valuable to those working in Orange County, as it has been the only program in Orange County PA for the last 30 years. Many of our alumni can be found in higher management in the county, the cities and other public entities. [top]
3. I have an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field.
While a Bachelor's in public administration or business will benefit you in this program, it is not a requirement for admission. We look for intelligent people who have an interest in becoming managers in the public sector. However, we do have required prerequisites in American Government, Statistics and Economics. See course catalog for more details. [top]
4. Is this program designed for working professionals like me?
Yes! Most of our classes are once a week from 7:00-9:45pm, and others are offered in the late afternoon. We often encourage students to discuss their career experiences in class. [top]
5. How much does it cost per year?
For the most current information on student tuition and fees, please visit Student Financial Services at http://sfs.fullerton.edu/. [top]
6. I
have not been in school for a long time. Can I
do this?
We regard real world experience as a plus. Our program currently has many students who have been working or have been out of academia for some time.
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7. What
are the other students like?
The average student works full or part-time in the public sector or in a non-profit organization and is looking to further their career, gain new academic experience or become experts in their field. You can find out more about recent graduates of the program on our Students & Alumni page.
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8. How long will it take to complete my MPA?
The MPA is a 39 unit degree (13 classes). Since most students are enrolled part-time, it takes an average of 3 years to complete. Full-time students often complete the program in 2 years.
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9. Does the MPA require a thesis?
Nearly all of our students finish their MPA with a set of comprehensive exams, administered each January. A thesis option is only offered in rare circumstances.
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ADMISSIONS
1. What semesters are students admitted to the program?
Students are normally admitted in the Spring and the Fall. This year however Spring 2013 admissions have been cancelled, as they have at all the California State Universities so the earliest you can apply for is Fall 2013.
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2. How
do I apply to the MPA program?
The simplest way is to apply online at http://www.csumentor.edu/admissionapp/grad_apply.asp. You can also find information on graduate admissions at http://www.fullerton.edu/catalogprevious/catalog2003-2005/admissions_and_registration/gradadm.asp. An admissions checklist can be found here
MPA graduate admissions checklist.
In addition you are required to....
Send transcripts to Admissions and Records:A set of transcripts from all universities and community colleges you have attended. These should be originals sent from the institution.
Use the Admissions Checklist to confirm that transcripts and other required documents are sent to the Public Administration Coordinator: A set of transcripts from all universities and community colleges you have attended (can be unofficial but must be sent to the coordinator). Also required: a statement of purpose, a current resume and two letters of recommendation (if possible one from an immediate supervisor and one from a professor). GRE scores are not required, but should be sent to the department if you have them. GRE scores can be sent to: Public Administration Coordinator, Public Administration Program, California State University, Fullerton, PO Box 6848, Fullerton, CA 92834-6848.
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3. Can
I apply before I finish my BA?
Yes, but the BA must completed by the time you start the graduate program.
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4. Are there any prerequisite courses?
The prerequisite courses are American Government, Statistics and either Micro-economics or Macro-economics. IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD AMERICAN GOVERNMENT YOU MUST TAKE IT BEFORE TAKING ANY MPA COURSE. If you do not have the other prerequisite courses completed, we allow you to finish them during your first year in the program; they can be taken at CSUF, or any other accredited college or university. Prereqs do not show up on your graduate transcript
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5. What
are the entry requirements?
Our minimum requirement for GPA is a 2.75 in the last 60 semester units of your undergraduate degree. The average GPA of our accepted students is 3.5. For all students, we look at your grades in the last 60 units, how well you performed in your major, any experience in the public sector, your GRE scores (if supplied), and the quality of your written statement of purpose. The higher your grades, the less we will need to weigh your supporting documents.
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6. How has the current financial crisis affected admissions?
The current crisis has made it more difficult to get into the program. The number of people applying has increased and the financial resources allocated to the program have decreased. As a result we anticipate that in the Fall of 2012 we will not be able to admit all qualified applicants. We will not know for certain how many we can admit until late Spring, when the budgetary allocations have been made. We will not be admitting any students for the Spring 2013 semester.
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7. Can
I transfer from another Public Administration program?
In most cases yes, and often we will give credit for courses taken elsewhere. However, 21 of the 39 units must be taken in our program.
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8. When are the closing dates for applying to the program?
Admissions for the fall semester start October 1st and typically end by March 31st. We also admit for the spring term beginning August 1st and ending October 1st. In both spring and fall, the closing date may be flexible. The best advice is to apply as early as possible and check CSU Mentor for more details.
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9. What if I am an international student?
If you are an international student, you must have a score of 570 (paper) or 230 (computer based) on the TOEFL exam, in addition to the other requirements. The TOEFL code for CSUF is 4589. Students who feel their English is not yet up to this level often do a semester in our English as a Foreign Language Program before commencing graduate classes. More information for international students can be found at http://www.fullerton.edu/admissions/ProspectiveStudent/International.asp
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ACADEMIC PROGRESS
1. What courses should I take in my first semester?
If you are new to public administration, you should take the introductory POSC 509 course. Other first semester courses should include POSC 526 Organizational Behavior, POSC 572 Human Resources, and POSC 523 Research Methods.
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2. What is a study plan and when should I complete it?
In your second semester you should fill out a study plan with the public administration coordinator. This will involve declaring your concentration and filling out an anticipated list of the courses you will take in the program.
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3. How long will it take to get through the program?
Students enrolled part-time and working full-time should expect the program to take about three years. Students enrolled full-time and working part-time or not at all could complete the degree in two years.
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4. How
many courses should I take in a semester?
Students must take minimum of one course per semester, but may take up to four at a time.
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5. What
should I do if I cannot take courses one semester?
You will need to take a leave of absence for that semester. To do this, you will get a form from the graduate office in McCarthy Hall 108, fill it in, and get it signed by the program coordinator.
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6. Is
there a comprehensive exam or a thesis?
Everyone must either take a comprehensive exam, offered once a year in January, or write a thesis. Most students elect to take the exam, which consists of a week-long project answering two question - one related to your major, and one relevant to your concentration.
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7. Where can I find out more about the required courses for the program?
You can talk to your program advisor, or you can visit the course catalog at http://www.fullerton.edu/catalog/.
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ADVISING
1. Who is the graduate program advisor?
Our graduate advisor is Shelly Arsneault. You can reach her via email at sarsneault@fullerton.edu, or drop by her office in UH 535. You can also contact the program secretary Suzanne Collea at 657-278-3521 or scollea@fullerton.edu.
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2. Where
can I get general advice on careers?
The CSUF Career Center is located in Langsdorf Hall 208 and is open to all students. They provide assessment tests, career counseling services and research material to all students. You may call 657 278-3121 for more information. You will also find a list of jobs on the Public Administration board in the hallway.
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3. How
do I find out about jobs in the public sector?
Most local governments now post job openings on their websites. A list of these websites can be found on the resources page on this site.
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PRACTICAL DETAILS
1. How do I get a parking pass and what does it cost?
You must purchase your parking permit from Parking and Transportation Services. The permit may be purchased in person or online in conjunction with registration at http://www.fullerton.edu/titanonline/ . Student parking fees are currently $220 for a semester and $8 daily. There is also a “Park & Pay” option, which costs $4 for two hours or parking. Daily and “Park & Pay” passes can be purchased from permit machines located inside the parking structures?
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2. Where can I park on campus?
Student parking is available in the Nutwood, State College, and Eastside parking structures, as well as lot A, G, and S. After 4:00pm, your permit is valid in Faculty/Staff CP-South. After 6:00pm your permit is valid in Faculty/Staff lots A-South, C-West, and C-East. Parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays.
For further information,
please call 657.278.3523. [top]
3. Where is campus located?
The Fullerton campus is located at 800 N. State College boulevard, Fullerton, directly off the Nutwood exit on the 57 freeway. The Irvine campus is located at 3 Banting, Irvine, near the intersections of the 405 freeway and 133 toll road and the 5 freeway and 133 toll road, approximately one mile from the Irvine Spectrum. Detailed campus maps and directions can be located at http://parking.fullerton.edu/Maps/.
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4. Where will most of my classes be?
Most MPA classes are held in University Hall, directly off of Folino Drive, closest to the Eastside parking structure. A detailed campus map can be located at http://parking.fullerton.edu/Maps/.
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5. What if I have a disability?
Information for disabled students can be found at http://www.fullerton.edu/DSS/handbook/DSSGenInfo.htm.
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