Admissions to Our Program
Applying
To apply to the MPA program, you must submit two applications. You will apply to both the University and the Department.
To apply to the University, visit Cal State Apply (there is a $70 application fee). You must submit one official transcript from all colleges and universities attended. You do not need to submit transcripts if you received your undergraduate degree from CSULB. To apply to the Department, download the application below.
You can upload your Department application documents to Cal State Apply. The Department application documents are the following:
1. MPA application
2. Two letters of recommendation from former professors or job supervisors
3. Personal statement--express your reasons for wanting to earn an MPA degree (one to two pages).
Cal State Apply has two options for letters of recommendation.
- You can upload letters in Cal State Apply.
- Send a request to your recommenders through Cal State Apply.
If you have issues uploading application documents to Cal State Apply you can email them to: CHHS-PPA@csulb.edu
The GRE is not required.
University requirements for admission as a graduate student are listed in the CSULB Catalog.
For consideration for admission to the MPA program, you must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and have maintained an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of not less than 3.0 or 3.0 in your last 60 semester (90 quarter) units. If you do not meet these requirements, but do have management, technical, or professional experience your application may be reviewed by the Department’s Admission Committee for special consideration. Your application will be evaluated in terms of your previous academic and employment performance, promise as a graduate student and as a leader in some field of public administration, and commitment to develop, pursue, and perform effectively in a career in public administration.
Application Filing Period
- Fall: October 1st - June 1st
- Spring: August 1st - November 1st
International Students Filing Period
- Fall: October 1st - April 1st
- Spring: August 1st - October 1st
