Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

  1. How do I apply to the MPA program?
  2. Can I apply before I finish my BA?
  3. Are there any prerequisite courses?
  4. What are the entry requirements?
  5. How has the current financial crisis affected admissions?
  6. Can I transfer from another Public Administration program?
  7. When are the closing dates for applying to the program?
  8. What if I am an international student?

Admissions


  1. How do I apply to the MPA program?

    2. 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/catalog/admissions_and_registration/gradadm.asp  . Your transcripts should be sent directly to admissions and records. I would currently recommend that all applicants send me resumes and two letters of recommendation and GRE scores, if you have them, This is especially important for those with grades below 3.25 in their major.  These should be sent to Paul Peretz, Public Administration Coordinator, Public Administration Program, California State University, Fullerton, PO
     Box 6848, Fullerton, CA 92834-6848.

  2. Can I apply before I finish my BA?

    3. Yes you can but the BA must be in hand by the time you start graduate studies.

  3. Are there any prerequisite courses?

    4. The prerequisite courses are American Government, Statistics and either Micro-economics or Macro-economics. If you do not have one or more when you enter we allow you to finish them during your first year in the program.

  4. What are the entry requirements?

    5. We divide applicants into three groups. If you have a grade point average in your last 60 semester units over 2.75 (B-) and a grade point average over 3.25 (B+) in your major we would normally admit you unconditionally (but see next question.) If you got over 2.75 in your last 60 units but less than 3.25 in your major we may admit you on probation (but see next question.)  If you are in this group and either have a combined GRE score over 1000 or have been working in the public sector for at least four years and submit your resume and two letters of recommendation we may choose to admit you unconditionally. If your GPA in the last 60 units is less than 2.75, we will not admit you.

  5. How has the current financial crisis affected admissions?

    6. 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 2009 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.

  6. Can I transfer from another Public Administration program?

    7. Usually you can and often we will give credit for courses taken elsewhere. But 21 of the 39 units must be taken in our program.

  7. When are the closing dates for applying to the program?

    8. . Admissions for the Fall semester start October 1 and usually end May 15, but this year we may close off as early as March 1. We also admit for the Spring term beginning June 1 and usually ending October 15. In both Spring and Fall the closing date may be a little earlier or later. The best advice is to apply as early as possible.

  8. What if I am an international student?

    9. If you are an international student in addition to the other requirements you must have a score of 570 (paper) or 230 (computer based) on the TOEFL exam. 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 classes.