Question: What prerequisites do I have to complete to be admitted to the MPA program?
Answer: A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and previous work experience (at least two years) are required for admission if your cumulative GPA is below a 3.0. All students are required to upload a statement of purpose and resume when they submit their MPA application regardless of GPA. At this time, the program does not require any specific prerequisite courses before admission.
Question: Must I submit a transcript for every college that I have attended?
Answer: Yes, you must submit an official transcript from any institute of higher education that you attended (even if you did not graduate). Official e-transcripts may also be emailed directly from your previous college or university.
Question: If I received my bachelor's degree from CSUN, do I have to include transcripts with my application?
Answer: No, we have access to your CSUN transcripts.
Question: Would I have to submit letters of recommendation?
Answer: If your cumulative GPA is above a 3.0, you would not need letters of recommendation. However, if it’s below a 3.0, you will need to submit three letters of recommendation from current or former supervisors.
Question: What is the application deadline?
Answer: Application deadlines for different cohort sites and on campus vary. Please contact the MPA office at 818-677-3332 if you have any questions.
Question: Can I work while I'm in the program?
Answer: The MPA program is designed to accommodate working professionals. Classes are scheduled one night per week from 6 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. to facilitate success for working adults. Additionally, an online version of the program is also available each fall semester for those students wishing to study remotely.
Question: How long will the program take to complete?
Answer: On average, the MPA program takes from two to two and a half years to complete.
Question: What if I need to temporarily stop attending?
Answer: If, for compelling reasons, a student finds it necessary to miss either a complete course or a significant number of classes, he or she must consult with their regular cohort or on-campus contact, as soon as the student is aware that classes or courses will be missed.
Question: Will I have access to the University Library?
Answer: Yes. Students can take advantage of many resources through the University Library. Be prepared to show your registration receipt and a picture ID. Students in cohorts have full access to a large array of materials online.
Question: Are the cost of books included in the tuition?
Answer: No. The cost of books are not included in tuition.
For additional questions and answers, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
