USC Price Blog

Florida MPA student Trina Uy works for the City of Clearwater as an administrative assistant in the City Manager’s Office. Trina, who had never been to California let alone set foot on USC’s campus, applied for the Master of Public Administration online program after a two year commitment with Teach for America. After her experience…

During his time in the Army, Nicholas Brands held multiple leadership roles and had the opportunity to travel the world. While he appreciates the experience he gained throughout his military commitment, he was drawn to re-enter the civilian workforce. So, Brands enrolled in the USC Price Master of Public Administration (MPA) program online to complement…

USC Executive Master of Urban Planning (EMUP) alum Frank Byrd recently began working as the coordinator of unit acquisitions for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Originally a scholar of philosophy and fine arts, Byrd shifted his studies to the real estate and urban planning sector during the pandemic. Seeking to expand his knowledge…

In addition to earning her Master of Public Administration degree online, Hannah Wills spent the last two years moving between states, switching jobs, getting married, and having a baby – all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. “She’s an exceptional student,” said Dora Kingsley Vertenten, professor and faculty director of the USC Price MPA Online. Hannah…

Master of Public (MPA) program online student Veronica Frazier has long been passionate about public service, entering the world of politics and governmental campaigns soon after she completed her undergraduate studies.  The birth of her first child altered her career path, with Frazier becoming an entrepreneur to have more flexibility in raising her children. “I…

Architect Colin Montoute works for the New York firm W X Y + architecture + urban design. He graduated from the USC Price Executive Master of Urban Planning program online in 2021. Montoute discusses how the EMUP degree provided a collaborative environment, helping him to learn the necessary skills to help boost his career to…

When it comes to pursuing an online master’s degree, the benefits seem obvious: more flexibility, access to global perspectives, and classes designed for working professionals. Still, prospective students often worry that by joining a remote learning environment, they won’t have the same opportunity to immerse themselves in the wider university community. For graduate students at USC that’s not the case.

Over the past ten years, the County of Houston has been able to rehome over 25,000 unhoused individuals, many of whom have been able to stay in housing after 2 years. Working with county agencies, local health providers, and nonprofits, Houston reduced its number of unhoused individuals by a stunning 63% since 2011. Lance Gilliam,…

Jannatara Zaman is an Employment Development Department liaison for an Assemblymember’s office in District 21. She graduated from the USC Price Master of Public Administration program online in 2019. Zaman discusses how the MPA degree helped her become an industry expert in the field of public administration, which ultimately led to her serving for the State of California.

In her Q&A, Beth Zollars discusses the most impactful skills she learned and why she believes, both as an alumna and professor, that the program is so unique.