The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at McGeorge School of Law prepares students for leadership roles in public service, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Designed for working professionals and pre-service students alike, the program offers a dynamic curriculum focused on policy analysis, public management, budgeting, and leadership skills.
With a hybrid learning model, students benefit from the flexibility of online coursework combined with valuable in-person Saturday sessions on campus. The McGeorge MPA program in Sacramento is located near the California State Capitol—a prime location for networking and hands-on learning.
A combination of online instruction and in-person Saturday sessions accommodates working professionals.
Two required law courses—Law for Public Administration and Statutes and Regulations—equip you with essential legal analytical skills and a solid understanding of regulatory frameworks.
Hands-on simulations, networking events, and expert-led discussions enhance practical learning and career readiness as only an MPA program in California can.
A combination of online instruction and in-person Saturday sessions accommodates working professionals.
You can customize your education by choosing concentrations in Non-Profit and Social Capacity Management, Environmental and Water Policy, Public Policy Advocacy, Policy Analysis or Local Government. Through a blend of internships and dedicated policy projects, you’ll gain the practical, hands-on experience that only a California-based MPA program can offer.
The program features a 30-unit core curriculum and an optional 6-unit concentrations.
Two required law courses—Law for Public Administration and Statutes and Regulations—equip you with essential legal analytical skills and a solid understanding of regulatory frameworks.
Hands-on simulations, networking events, and expert-led discussions enhance practical learning and career readiness as only an MPA program in California can.
You can customize your education by choosing concentrations in Non-Profit and Social Capacity Management, Environmental and Water Policy, Public Policy Advocacy, Policy Analysis or Local Government. Through a blend of internships and dedicated policy projects, you’ll gain the practical, hands-on experience that only a California-based MPA program can offer.
Thirty (30) course units distributed across four areas of competency must be completed to receive the MPA. Optional areas of concentration require an additional six (6) units. A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher is required for award of the MPA. Core Courses – 30 units in four areas, including:
LAW – 6 units
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/LEADERSHIP – 9 units
PUBLIC POLICY – 6 units
ANALYTIC TOOLS – 6 units
ELECTIVE – 3 units
One elective from either PUB or LAW courses 3
MPA students can customize their learning experience by selecting from the following concentrations:
Environmental and Water Policy – 6 units
Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal frameworks that safeguard our environment and water resources and develop the practical skills to advocate for sustainable environmental and water resource management.
Environmental / Water Policy Concentration (Complete 6 or more units from among these courses)
Public Policy Advocacy – 6 units
Students conduct in-depth exploration of legislative institutions and lawmaking processes; develop practical skills in drafting statutory language, preparing and assessing bill analyses, commenting on legislation, and actively participating in the legislative process; and become proficient in advocacy, negotiation, and compromise within policy-making settings.
Public Policy Advocacy Concentration (Complete 6 or more units from among these courses)
Non-Profit & Social Capacity Management – 6 units
Students develop the knowledge and skills to create significant and sustainable societal change with an emphasis on the capacity required for effective public action, including legal authority, technical competencies, fiscal resources, political support, and networked relationships.
Non-Profit and Social Capacity Management Concentration (Complete 6 or more units from among these courses)
Policy Analysis – 6 units
Students learn sophisticated techniques for evaluating and crafting effective public policies, statistical analysis and data-driven decision-making tools, and innovative strategies to boost community resilience and capacity, ensuring sustainable and impactful policy implementation.
Policy Analysis Concentration (Complete 6 or more units from among these courses)
Local Government – 6 units
Local Government Concentration
Each concentration includes an optional externship component where students gain real-world experience in their chosen field, working under the supervision of industry professionals.
Graduates with a public administration master’s degree pursue leadership roles in government agencies, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and private-sector firms specializing in policy and administration. Common career paths include:
Graduates with a public administration master’s degree pursue leadership roles in government agencies, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and private-sector firms specializing in policy and administration. Common career paths include:
Alumni Network
Lacee Solis, ’21, took an interest in getting an MPA because she wanted to learn how to make a difference in her community effectively. She decided on McGeorge School of Law because she was impressed that an MPA was offered at an ABA-accredited law school and that it was built into the curriculum. Solis wanted to become an effective public servant and give back to her community.
Alumni Network
Lacee Solis, ’21, took an interest in getting an MPA because she wanted to learn how to make a difference in her community effectively. She decided on McGeorge School of Law because she was impressed that an MPA was offered at an ABA-accredited law school and that it was built into the curriculum. Solis wanted to become an effective public servant and give back to her community.
Alumni Network
In this video, Max Huynh discusses how earning an MPA degree from McGeorge School of Law helped him pursue the next steps in his career. Huynh, ’21, refined practical skills through his coursework. He is a program analyst at a non-profit organization called Physicians for a Healthy California.
Alumni Network
In this video, Max Huynh discusses how earning an MPA degree from McGeorge School of Law helped him pursue the next steps in his career. Huynh, ’21, refined practical skills through his coursework. He is a program analyst at a non-profit organization called Physicians for a Healthy California.
Phone:
916.739.7019
Email:
graduatelaw@pacific.edu
3200 Fifth Ave. Sacramento, California 95817
Phone:
916.739.7019
Email:
graduatelaw@pacific.edu
Location:
3200 Fifth Ave.
Sacramento, California 95817