Master of Public Administration

The current tuition rate is $2,354 per unit. Students should expect a moderate increase in tuition each academic year.

Credits Required: 40 (41 for pre-service)
Estimated Total Tuition: $94,160 ($96,514 for pre-service)
New student fee: $55
Student programming: $20 for online students
Norman H. Topping Student Aid Fund fee: $11
Mandatory Fees: $250 MPA Lab Fee*
*This is a one-time charge for first year MPA students split upon enrollment in each residency.

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U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens (e.g., permanent resident, refugee, asylee) can be eligible to apply for federal student aid. Additionally, some employers may offer tuition benefits, including tuition reimbursement and low-cost loans. The University of Southern California Financial Aid Office (FAO) will provide you with the details of applying for financial aid, understanding your financial aid award and properly securing your loans. Visit the FAO website for detailed information regarding dates and deadlines and to find downloadable forms that are needed to process the financial aid application.

• Types of Financial Aid
• Federal loans
• Private loans
• Eligibility requirements for financial aid
• Applying for financial aid

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Graduates working in the public service field may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. To qualify, you must have made 120 qualifying loan payments while employed by a qualifying employer. There is no income requirement for the PSLF program.

For more information regarding financial aid at USC, visit https://financialaid.usc.edu/.

City Year AmeriCorps Scholarships

USC Price is a proud partner with City Year. Any City Year member, staff, or alumnus admitted to the MPA Online program will receive a $5,000 per year scholarship, renewable up to a total of $10,000, as well as an application fee waiver. Click here to learn more.

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The MPA curriculum focuses on two areas of managerial competency: 1. institutions and organizations and 2. analytics. Within these areas, you will combine core classes with elective coursework to develop key skills relevant to your career goals.

You may select electives to develop your professional expertise and pursue a certificate in Public Policy or City and County Management.

The skills and knowledge you develop through your online courses and experiential learning activities will help you effectively lead institutions and organizations—across public, non-profit, and business sectors—that ultimately serve the global public good.

Course Sequence

Individual course plans will depend on course offerings, which vary by semester. Elective choices will vary depending on certificate track and course offerings for each semester.

Term 1 (5 total units)

• Fundamentals of Public Administration (4 units)
• Professional Residency in Public Administration (1 unit)

Term 2 (6 total units)

• Essential Statistics for Public Management (2 units)
• Public and Nonprofit Organizational Behavior (4 units)

Term 3 (8 total units)

• Economics for Public Policy (4 units)
• Management Elective (4 units)

Term 4 (8 total units)

• Analytic Elective (4 units)

Term 5 (9 total units)

• Public and Nonprofit Organizational Behavior (4 units)
• Public Financial Management and Budgeting (4 units)
• Capstone Residency* (1 unit)
• Elective Option (4 units)

*This course occurs in the summer term.

Term 6 (4 total units)

• Capstone in Public Administration (4 units)

For a detailed breakdown of each course, please view the course descriptions.

As a student, you may select electives to develop professional expertise and pursue a certificate in either Public Policy or City and County Management. Each certificate can be completed within the 40 total units (41 for pre-service students) of the degree program.

Public Policy

The USC Price Certificate in Public Policy exposes students to policy issues of global interest, while fostering analytical skills built around the most forward-looking methodologies useful for advocacy, legislative impact, government policy setting and implementation across a spectrum of institutions.

City and County Management

The USC Price Certificate in City/County Management is designed for students interested in acquiring the foundational training to advance a career in public service leadership. Working with top faculty and mentors, students gain professional skills and knowledge to achieve career aspirations managing and leading at the forefront of change.

Your Capstone is not just another course—it’s your gateway to making an impact. This is where theory meets action, as you collaborate with senior leaders in public policy and government to develop real-world solutions for communities in need. It’s your chance to apply everything you’ve learned and build hands-on, practical skills that will serve you throughout your career.

As the pinnacle of the Master of Public Administration online program, the capstone brings students together in teams of three to four to consult with real clients, delivering valuable research and strategic insights. You’ll have the opportunity to work with senior decision-makers from local and state governments, nonprofit organizations, criminal justice systems, federal agencies, private sector firms, and leading public sector service providers. Along the way, you’ll sharpen key “soft skills” like consulting, advising, and effective communication, all while expanding your professional network.

By the end of the course, you and your team will produce a comprehensive project report and a communications briefing for your client, where you’ll present your findings, answer their questions, and propose actionable solutions.

The most outstanding capstone project will be honored with the prestigious Haynes Award at our annual Price School Awards Ceremony—along with a cash prize and well-earned recognition of your hard work and innovation.

Our program features two immersive, in-person residencies—one at the beginning and one at the end—that offer you the unique opportunity to build practical skills while connecting face-to-face with peers, faculty, and alumni.

Held on USC’s vibrant Los Angeles campus, these residencies go beyond the classroom. You’ll engage in hands-on, intensive sessions led by expert faculty, collaborating with fellow students and alumni on real-world challenges. Outside of class, you’ll enjoy social events and networking opportunities, forging meaningful connections within the Trojan Family and our dynamic campus community. These residencies are your chance to experience USC firsthand, strengthen your professional network, and make lasting memories.

Get ready for an exciting, in-person experience at USC with our three-day Professional Residency! Held on campus each Fall, this event is not just an essential part of your MPA journey—it’s mandatory for graduation. Over the course of Residency, you’ll dive into educational seminars led by our expert faculty, including sessions on digital literacy, communication and writing techniques, research, and quantitative methods. Beyond the classroom, you’ll have unique opportunities to network with fellow students, faculty, and alumni, while enjoying USC’s vibrant campus life—including football games and other campus activities! This is your chance to meet faculty members, your advisor, your personal cohort coach, and connect with alumni. There is an opportunity to tour the campus, grab some Trojan gear at the bookstore, and soak in all that USC has to offer!

The Capstone Residency, held during commencement week, is the culminating event of your MPA journey—a time to showcase your skills and celebrate your hard work! You’ll collaborate with peers to prepare and present your best work, tackling real-world problems in front of expert judges. It’s a highly competitive and rewarding experience, where top-tier analysis and presentation skills are recognized with engraved USC medals, worn proudly at graduation. Beyond the competition, this is your final chance to deepen connections with classmates and alumni, reinforcing the powerful USC Price network that will support you long after you leave campus.

Professional Residency
Fall dates TBD in January 2025

All USC Price candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in order to apply. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is recommended to apply to the Master of Public Administration online program.

To complete your application, you must submit the following:

Resume

Your resume should include a summary of your academic background, your professional work history and any other relevant work or volunteer experience you’d like to highlight. Two years of relevant work experience are recommended, but not required, to apply.

Official Transcripts

We recommend that you request transcripts when beginning the application, as the turnaround time can vary from school to school. USC requires official transcripts from all postsecondary schools (including community colleges) you have attended, regardless of transfers or whether a degree was earned. Your application processing may be delayed if you fail to submit all undergraduate transcripts.

Transcript submission is a two-step process.

1. Upload scanned copies of official registrar-issued transcripts to the online application. Please note that these must be official transcripts printed on university letterhead. Printouts from online student portals are not acceptable.
2. Request an official registrar-issued transcript be sent to the USC Office of Graduate Admissions.

If your university is in the United States and offers e-transcripts, advise the university to send the e-transcript to [email protected]. The transcript must originate from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution. If your university does not offer e-transcripts or is located outside of the United States, advise the university to send a sealed official transcript.

If sending your transcripts via regular mail,
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

If sending your transcripts via courier service, such as DHL or FedEx,
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission and Financial Aid
3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

Statement of Purpose

Your statement should be approximately 1,000 words. You will be asked to address the following questions: Why are you interested in pursuing the Master of Public Administration degree? How will a Master of Public Administration degree affect or enhance your career aspirations and goals? Please share how your experiences, background, and/or interests have shaped you and will shape your engagement in the Price community.

Letters of Recommendation

We require three letters of recommendation. These should come from professionals in your field who can provide meaningful input on your previous work experience and career goals. A letter of recommendation from a professor, faculty member and/or academic adviser who can provide meaningful input regarding your academic record is also welcome. We only accept recommendation letters through the application portal. In the Program Materials section, enter the names and email addresses of the three people you would like to write your recommendation letters. The system will email a link to your recommender to upload their letter.

Test Scores

Price has discontinued the GRE/GMAT requirement for admissions review. Applications will be reviewed holistically.

Application Fee

There is a nonrefundable application fee of $90. USC offers several options for graduate application fee waivers including Military active-duty personnel, spouses, dependents or veterans. Click here to learn more and to determine if you qualify.

To learn about additional fee waiver opportunities, click here.

Pre-service Internship Requirement

Pre-service students are required to complete a 300 hour internship and a one-unit Internship Seminar course (PPD 543). Students may choose to fulfill their internship requirement with their current employer. Otherwise, students will be required to secure an appropriate internship location on their own or with the help of the USC Price Career Services staff.

International Students

Please refer to USC’s Office of Graduate Admissions website for additional items required for international students to apply. The USC Price Master of Public Administration online program is currently not authorized for students living in Puerto Rico. On this page you will find a comprehensive checklist to complete your application if applying from outside the US.

Are you ready to start your application?