McGeorge School of Law offers Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) programs designed for professionals looking to enhance their leadership skills, deepen their understanding of public policy, and expand their network within California’s capital region. These programs provide a strong foundation in public administration, policy, and law, all within a supportive, professional, and connected community.
Our programs are taught by faculty who are deeply connected to the Sacramento policy and law community. Students engage in real-world projects and assignments that directly prepare them for careers in public administration and public policy. This focus on professional skills ensures graduates can immediately apply what they learn in their workplaces.
Our program emphasizes law as an inevitable foundation for public service; in keeping with this understanding, students are required to take two law courses that will teach introductory legal analysis and a strong understanding of statutes and regulations. These serve as drivers for program management and policy development.
The core curriculum between both programs focuses on 5 learning outcomes:
- Lead and manage in public governance
- Participate in and contribute to the public policy process
- Analyze and synthesize information in support of complex decision-making
- Articulate and apply a public service perspective
- Communicate and interact productively with diverse public stakeholders
Unlike other programs that might do research-oriented assignments and have you do a research-oriented thesis, all McGeorge assignments are geared toward the real products that students will be doing in the workplace. For example, instead of a thesis, students complete a capstone course, in which they bring together everything they’ve learned within one project. And this year, for the first time, students will be doing real projects for real clients.
McGeorge has a unique way of delivering classes: either synchronously online, in-person, or a combination of online and in-person. For the MPA and MPP programs, students attend 6 to 8 in-person Saturday sessions per semester, with the remainder of coursework conducted online in a synchronous format.
MPA vs. MPP: Understanding the Difference
- The MPA program is focused on management, implementation, and leadership
- The MPP program emphasizes policy analysis and evaluation, research, and data skills. data skills, research, policy analysis, and evaluation
Both programs leverage McGeorge’s unique location in Sacramento, allowing students to connect directly with public policy leaders, agencies, and decision-makers.
Concentrations and Specializations
The programs offer concentrations that allow students to tailor their degree to career goals:
- Water and Environmental Policy
- Public Policy Advocacy
- Non-profit and Social Capacity Management
- Local Government
- Policy Analysis (MPA only)
When deciding between the MPA and MPP programs and later choosing a concentration, students should consider their career goals and what they hope to achieve with this degree. Your future goals should guide your decisions.
The Best Environment For Success
Students have the opportunity to meet and learn from state and local government leaders through events like the Saturday Speaker Series, enhancing their professional network while staying local and balancing work and family commitments. Additionally, all students complete projects that prepare them for the workplace. These hands-on experiences allow students to apply classroom learning to real public administration and policy challenges, often working alongside local agencies and organizations.
Students join the MPA/MPP programs for varied reasons:
- Career Starters: recent undergrads entering public service.
- Career Advancers: mid-career professionals seeking leadership or management skills.
- Career Changers: individuals transitioning into public service or nonprofit leadership.
Classes include students from ages 22 to their 70s, fostering cross-generational learning and mentorship. Many students are first-generation college graduates, contributing to a rich, diverse academic community.
Why Students Choose McGeorge
Several factors make McGeorge the top choice for public administration and policy students:
- Location in Sacramento, California’s political hub
- Strong connection to local decision-makers and agencies
- Programs offered through a respected law school
- Flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals
- Focus on professional skills and practical application
If you’re ready to take the next step in your public service career, apply to the McGeorge MPA or MPP program today. Apply now