About This Program
The Public Sector Management and Leadership option within CSUN's MPA program develops and enhances management skills, enabling graduates to function more effectively within all types of public organizations. This option emphasizes both the quantitative aspects of management (i.e., decisions based on analytical data)
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and the human dynamics of leadership. By emphasizing conceptual and professional development, the program offers a well-rounded perspective of the field and develops leaders with a broad understanding at both the organizational and theoretical levels.
CSUN's Master of Public Administration
Most participants come to the program with highly specialized knowledge that reflects their experience within a particular area of expertise. The program's integrated curriculum provides graduates with a broader perspective as well as a conceptual vocabulary for leading agencies through increasingly complex issues. The program also emphasizes systems thinking, which gives participants an understanding of the external and internal forces that impact decision-making and problem-solving at their agencies.
To meet the needs of participants and the organizations they serve, this program is offered not only online but also on-campus and off-campus.
What do MPAs do?
Our courses are developed by experienced industry professionals and CSUN faculty, with each one thoughtfully designed to build on the knowledge gained in previous classes. This structure ensures a cohesive, cumulative learning experience that prepares you for real-world impact.
By completing this program, you’ll open the door to a variety of exciting career opportunities, including—but not limited to—the following roles:
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Chief Executive
- General and Operations Manager
- Legislator
- Administrative Services Manager
- Director of Social Services
- Director of Regulatory Affairs
- Regulatory Affairs Manager
- Program Manager
- Operations Manager
Meet your Faculty
Varouj Abkian
M.S.
Strategic Management
Lawrence Becker
Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Political Science
Suzanne Beaumaster
Ph.D.
Public Administration
David Cain
MPA
Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
Shauna Clark
MBA
Public Sector Personnel Management
Ariane David
Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Management
Jonathan Delgado
DPA (Doctorate in Public Administration)
Public Policy Analysis
Maurice Franklin
DPA (Doctor of Public Administration)
Ethics and Professionalism
Rhonda Franklin
Ed.D.
Seminar in Public Administration and Its Environment
Marc D. Glidden
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology and Justice Studies
Steven J. Golightly
Ph.D., MPA
Seminar in Organizational Theory and Human Behavior
Tom Hogen-Esch
Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Political Science
Paul D. Krivonos
Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor, Department of Communication Studies
James S. Larson
Ph.D.
Seminar in Public Administration and its Environment
Julio L. Lima
Ph.D.
Lecturer, Department of Criminology and Justice Studies
Dean C. Logan
MPA
Intergovernmental Relations
Thomas D. Lynch
Ph.D.
Ethics and Professionalism
Sarmistha R. Majumdar
Ph.D.
Approaches and Methods in Program Evaluation
Deborah Martin
MPA, CPA
Strategic Management
Lauren McDonald
Ph.D.
Research Methods for Public Administration
Henrik P. Minassians
Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Urban Studies and Planning
Jason L. Morin
Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science
Philip M. Nufrio
Ph.D.
Seminar in Public Administration and its Environment
Patty Oertel
MBA
Program Implementation and Management for Nonprofit Services
David Powell
Ph.D.
Seminar in Public Administration and Its Environment
Ravi Roy
Ph.D.
Seminar in Public Administration and Its Environment
Mikayel Safaryan
Ph.D.
Strategic Management
Tatevik Sargsyan
Ph.D.
Public Policy Analysis
Talin Saroukhanian
Ph.D.
Lecturer, Department of Political Science
H. Eric Schockman
Ph.D.
Seminar in Effective Public Sector Management
Linda-Marie Sundstrom
DPA (Doctor of Public Administration)
Seminar in Public Administration and Its Environment
Ward Thomas
Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Urban Studies and Planning
Zeynep Toker
Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Urban Studies and Planning
Anaïs Valiquette L'Heureux
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology and Justice Studies
Steve Wantz
MPA
Public Budgeting and Financial Administration
Kim Williams
Ed.D.
Organizational Leadership
Mylon Winn
Ph.D.
Academic Lead, Master of Public Administration program
Bryce Yokomizo
DPA (Doctor of Public Administration)
Organizational Leadership
Career Connections
As a CSUN graduate, you become part of an extensive network of over 435,000 alumni—an invaluable source of support for your professional success.
CSUN's Master of Public Administration graduates have built successful careers in these organizations and many others: Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, City of Los Angeles, County of Ventura, University of California, Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources, California State University-Northridge, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.
Students Success stories
This degree has helped me do that more effectively, more efficiently and I really get to make a larger impact in my community.
Lauren Thomas
MPA
If you are looking for opportunity to broaden your horizons and create future options for yourself then this program is for you.
Todd Gooch
MPA
I really think that being able to put on my resume that I was getting my Master's in Public Administration really made me more competitive.
Aaliyah Hayes
MPA
There was a really nice connection between just my current work that I'm doing and even what I was learning in class.
Natalie Alvarado
MPA
