MPA Specialization Electives

Students are encouraged to specialize by completing 14 units of specialization electives within a substantive subject area. In the links below, we identify some of the more popular specialization areas, but students are free to self-design specializations, taking courses from anywhere on the USC campus.

*Courses taken outside of USC Price must be pre-approved by the Program Director, by means of an USC Price petition.

*Students interested in non-USC Price courses must contact the academic unit offering the class (if departmental clearance is needed) for registration. Contact information is located on the online Schedule of Classes, at the top of the scheduling page for each academic unit. Some schools prioritize their own student enrollment, granting permission to other interested students afterwards. If students would like a course reviewed for specific specialization relevancy, students may submit a course description or syllabus to the Program Administrator or Senior Advisor in advance. This course list provides a guide for courses relevant to the listed policy specialization areas, however, is not an exhaustive list.

» Civil Infrastructure
» Community and Economic Development
» Environmental Management and Land-Use Policy
» Financial Management
» Health Administration
» Intergovernmental Management
» International Policy and Management
» Local Government
» Nonprofit Management
» Political Management
» Public Policy
» Social Justice
» Urban Planning