Gain the Skills You Need To Build a Brighter Future
Master of Public Policy and Administration
Request Brochure
To download a program brochure and learn more about the Master of Public Policy and Administration offered by Cal Lutheran’s School of Management, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with a graduate enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 805-521-9856.
Quick Facts
Total units:
39 (13 courses)
Average completion time:
18–24 months
Format:
On campus, online, hybrid
Flexible schedules:
Full-time or part-time options
On-campus location:
Thousand Oaks
Program Benefits
Evening, online and hybrid classes that fit into your busy life and move at a pace that works for you
Small class sizes where faculty know your name and guide your learning through meaningful collaboration
Career-building skills you can apply immediately to benefit your organization
Develop purpose-driven policy expertise while developing the analysis and writing skills you need to address urgent community needs
Discover your unique contribution to public service through a program that helps you align professional growth with personal values and social impact
Cal Lutheran’s Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) is a unique hybrid of public policy and public administration education designed to nurture leaders who are ready to shape new policies and present bold ideas.
Gain a big-picture understanding of the challenges faced by the public and private sectors and hone specialized strategies to create and implement innovative solutions.
You set the pace with a choice of part-time or full-time coursework.
The Cal Lutheran MPPA program is designed with working professionals in mind, but is a great fit for anyone who wants the flexibility to balance their education with their lives and work. Enroll part-time or full-time, start courses year round and choose to take classes online, hybrid or on campus in Thousand Oaks and Oxnard.
Small class sizes taught by faculty who make a big impact.
With an average class size of 15 students, you’ll experience meaningful collaboration with dedicated faculty and like-minded classmates. Our instructors bring a wealth of real-world expertise from areas such as labor relations, law, public policy and health care. You’ll also benefit from one-on-one guidance from our advisors who work with you throughout the MPPA program.
Take your learning outside the classroom.
We provide our students with direct experience opportunities such as fellowships, internships, faculty-led travel seminars and immersive observation sessions. This is your opportunity to benefit from a myriad of learning experiences that show you how the theory you learn in class is applied in the real world.
MPPA Degree Program Outcomes
Graduates of Cal Lutheran’s MPPA program will:
- Gain a foundational knowledge of the structure, function and operational principles of administrative organizations
- Understand the legal processes that influence public policy decision-making
- Explore the ethical values essential for a public administrator’s work
- Study how government administrators should connect with and serve citizens
- Learn how to formulate a robust social strategy
- Develop broadly applicable leadership skills
- Conduct and present research pertinent to public policy and administration
MPPA Careers
Cal Lutheran’s public policy and administration master’s program is a catalyst for professional success. Our comprehensive, practical curriculum empowers our graduates to excel in a wide variety of fields in the public and private sector. These roles include:
- Director of philanthropic organizations
- Financial administrator
- Federal law enforcement officer
- Human resource manager
- Judicial administrator
- Lobbyist
- Manager of federal, state and city offices
- Marketing director
- Mental health director
- Military officer
- Museum director
- Policy analyst
- Public affairs officer
- Public relations officer
- Public safety administrator
- Recreation director
- School administrator
About the School of Management at Cal Lutheran University
About the School of Management
The School of Management is a community dedicated to producing graduates who are prepared to succeed in their personal and professional lives — our alumni think, communicate, and lead with sustained excellence and are guided by moral and ethical awareness. Our students do more than just acquire knowledge: they are empowered to question, create, and drive transformation through their actions.
MPPA Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Master of Public Policy and Administration program is to produce leaders who are equipped with the analytical tools and real-world experience to deal with the challenges and opportunities of policymaking and public leadership in a diverse, ever-changing world.
To do this, our program provides:
- Inspiration, academic training and an intellectual atmosphere that prepares students to enter public service careers, whether in government, the nonprofit sector or the private sector
- Opportunities for mid-career professionals to advance through learning, networking and mentoring
- A strong curriculum that focuses on local, national and international issues from both a theoretical and practitioner perspective, readying our graduates to make a positive impact on society
- Opportunities for advancing and building on research, engaging in public service and gaining a deeper understanding of civil society
About Cal Lutheran University
Founded in 1959 and formally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution in 2016, Cal Lutheran University is home to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate students. They’ve come to Cal Lutheran from dozens of countries and represent a wide spectrum of faith and spirituality.
Our dedicated, accomplished faculty work with small classes of students who are open-minded — about ideas, about people, and about faith — and are seeking to grow as individuals.
Both in and out of the classroom, everyone at Cal Lutheran is committed to helping each student pursue their passions, discover their purpose, and envision how to channel this purpose to transform their community and the wider world.