MPA Mission, Values, and Core Learning Objectives

The Price School Master of Public Administration develops collaborative and innovative leaders to manage complex organizations and serve the public good, at home and abroad.

This mission has at its core the following social responsibilities:

1. Serve the public good, advance democracy, and improve social justice through research, scholarship, and service.
2. Prepare competent administrators of integrity who engage with and advance the interests of diverse communities.

To accomplish the program’s mission and achieve its social responsibilities, USC Price commits to providing an education that prepares students with the following core learning objectives:

• The ability to lead and manage organizations that ultimately serve the public good.

• The capacity to work collaboratively across sectors and engage the policy process with integrity and empathy.
  
  
• The analytic skills to conduct research and apply evidence in making decisions that serve the public interest.
  
  
• An embodiment of ethical leadership and ability to articulate and apply public service values in daily work.
  
  
• The capability to engage productively with a diverse workforce and global citizenry.
  
  

The MPA mission applies within the field of public administration the broader mission of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy: “Improve quality of life for people and their communities, here and abroad.”