Semester Credits Required
Total credits in the program: 55
- 33 credits of core courses
- 9 credits of concentration and electives
- 4 credits for the applied policy research project
- 9 credits of internship and research seminars
Credits at CSUMB: 55 (Note: With the approval of the MPP Program Director or designee, up to 9 units may consist of approved coursework completed at other institutions.)
Internship Requirement
Students design their required internships working with an advisor so that these experiences fit each student's individual needs and interests within the required academic framework. You may complete the required 400-hour policy internship through an intensive full-time summer experience or part time during your course of study. Some students may complete their internship at their place of work.
Outcomes, Courses and Assessment
You officially begin the program by enrolling in the MPP 500: MPP Masters Seminar Masters Seminar. The course instructor will work with you to design an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that maps out how you will achieve the Learning Outcomes (LOs) designated below.
You conclude the program by completing your Applied Policy Analysis (APA) Project, which begins with the internship in an agency or organization and includes a significant research component. APA projects are presented publicly at the Spring MPP Policy Forum prior to graduation.
LO1 Collaborative Leadership ~ Demonstrate the ability to involve community stakeholders and key decision-makers in developing, articulating and sustaining a policy vision.
- Complete: MPP 540: Collab Ldrship & Ethic Policy Collaborative Leadership & Ethical Policymaking
LO2 Communication ~ Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex policy ideas to a variety of individuals and groups and an understanding of the elements, dynamics and mechanics of personal and professional communication.
- Complete both of the following: MPP 500: MPP Masters Seminar Masters Seminar; MPP 600 A & B Applied Policy Analysis Research Seminars
LO3 Critical Thinking ~ Demonstrate appropriate care and deliberation whether or not one should accept, reject or suspend judgment about a claim and decide the degree of confidence with which one can make that determination.
- Complete: MPP 600 A & B Applied Policy Analysis Research Seminars
LO4 Cross-Cultural Competence ~ Demonstrate an understanding of the role diverse cultural values and attitudes play in political participation, and the development and implementation of public policy. Demonstrate capability of communicating and negotiating with individuals from racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds different than one's own.
- Complete: MPP 510: Intr Pol Anlys & Public Action Introduction to Policy Analysis & Comparative Public Action
LO5 Economics ~ Demonstrate an understanding of market economies, market institutions, the strengths and limitations of markets on public policy, and the rationale for government intervention.
- Complete both of the following: MPP 610: Economic Analysis of PublicPol Economic Analysis of Public Policy I; MPP 620: Econ Anlys of Public Policy II Economic Analysis of Public Policy II
LO6 Ethics~ Demonstrate the ability to articulate the values and ethics that are inherent in the roles of those who develop, promote and implement public policy and apply them appropriately; adopt an ethical approach when participating in activities to develop, promote and implement public policy; support those policies that allow responsible parties to respond with care to those who need it; and support those policies that promote social justice and inclusivity.
- Complete: MPP 540: Collab Ldrship & Ethic Policy Collaborative Leadership & Ethical Policymaking
LO7 Information Technology/Management ~ Demonstrate the ability to use information technologies to support public policy development and implementation; to define requirements for improved information systems and information management methods; and to manage information collection, analysis, and dissemination in support of public policy process.
- Complete: MPP 530: Appl Policy Res & Quant Analys Applied Policy Research & Quantitative Analysis Methods
LO8 Knowledge & Skills in Multiple Disciplines ~ Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze the major public policy issues in a variety of the major fields including but not limited to the following: public health, social welfare, medical care, business, government, environment, land use, watershed resources, marine science resource protection and demonstrate competence in two selected areas of concentration.
- Complete the following: MPP 696 A,B,C Professional Policy Internship Seminars
- Complete two concentration courses and one elective course from among the following:
Health and Social Policy Concentration: HSP 650: Social Policy Analysis Social Policy Analysis; HSP 651: Health Policy Analysis&Advocac Health Policy Analysis & Advocacy
Government Politics and Policy Concentration: GPP 650: Money, Media & Policy Making Money, Media & Policymaking; GPP 651: Budget Policy Budget Policy
With the approval of the MPP Director or designee, you may select a graduate-level elective other than those listed here and/or create additional concentrations according to your specific areas of policy interest.
LO9 Legislative Processes ~ Demonstrate an understanding and ability to communicate across the various bodies and interrelationships in the legislative process.
- Complete: MPP 520: Congressional & Pres Politics Congressional & Presidential Politics and Policy
LO10 Policy Analysis ~ Demonstrate the ability to identify and analyze a policy issue and present well-informed policy recommendations; identify and work with all actors in the policy review and approval process; and secure approval and implementation of recommended policies.
- Complete: MPP 510: Intr Pol Anlys & Public Action Introduction to Policy Analysis & Comparative Public Action
LO11 Political Institutions and Processes ~ Demonstrate an understanding of the formal and actual processes of democratic policy making and the changing institutional context influenced by culture and events over time.
Complete: MPP 520: Congressional & Pres Politics Congressional & Presidential Politics and Policy
LO12 Program Planning, Budgeting, and Evaluation ~ Demonstrate knowledge of public sector finance and the budgeting process, and skill in financial planning, budget preparation, monitoring, analysis and program and policy evaluation.
- Complete both of the following: MPP 630: Strategic Mgmt & Sys Analysis Strategic Management & Systems Analysis; MPP 640: Fin Mgmt & Public Nonprof Budg Financial Management & Applied Public & Nonprofit Budgeting
LO13 Research and Data Skills ~ Demonstrate the ability to analyze trends in the economy, technology, sociocultural issues, and political issues at various levels and sectors of society.
- Complete: MPP 530: Appl Policy Res & Quant Analys Applied Policy Research & Quantitative Analysis Methods