Master of Public Administration Online (MPA-OL)

MPA Online Student Experience

Our students are a force for change.

Join us and advance your career — and the institutions we depend on — in the USC Price MPA Online program.

Graduate Scholarships

Michi Slaughter

“I like that the curriculum is catered to real world situations that you can use in public administration.”

Michi Slaughter has served the City of Los Angeles for nearly 20 years, primarily with the LAPD, where she was a Senior Systems Analyst.

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Vance Jarrard

“The MPA was a great way of enhancing my overall, well-rounded government background.”

Vance Jarrard is a legislative advocate for the North State Building Industry Association, representing more than 500 member companies in the home building industry in Northern California.

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Lynly Leeper

“At the end of all of the research I did, I came away with the fact that USC’s MPA program was far and away the best program in the United States.”

Lynly Leeper is Chief Financial & Operational Officer for Ysleta Independent School District – one of the top 30 largest school districts in Texas.

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Student Experience Stories View All

Balancing a Military Career with an Online Graduate Degree

By Becca van Sambeck From leveling up in the military to switching to a civilian career, here’s how — and why — active duty military personnel balance their careers with their graduate studies Balancing a full-time job with pursuing higher education can be a challenge for anyone, and this challenge can seem even steeper to…

MPAOL Capstone Research Shows ‘Safe Parking’ Can Help Homeless

In the search for shelter and privacy, some unhoused people turn to living in vehicles, lining the streets of cities. Many American cities impose harsh restrictions on these practices in order to appease nearby residents and businesses. In recent years, however, some cities have chosen to take a different approach. Rather than responding with restrictions,…

Capstone Projects

Navigating the First Generation Student Journey at USC

As a first-generation college student pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, you’re part of a growing community reshaping leadership in public service. With 22.5% of USC’s 2024 Class identifying as first-gen, the university has built robust support systems to help students overcome their unique challenges, access resources, and…

Student Experiences

The GI Bill, Explained: How to Finance Your Online Graduate Degree

If you’ve served in any branch of the U.S. military and are interested in a graduate program — or are the family member of a veteran — you should consider the benefits associated with the GI Bill. Members of the military make many sacrifices to protect our country. While service members may enlist for honor…

How to Build Connections in a Professional Setting: Tips from Price Alumni

By Kaitlyn McQuown Networking is an essential skill for career growth. At USC Price there are countless networking opportunities and resources provided by student-run clubs and organizations, school departments, and of course our extensive Trojan Network. At a Reboot Your Network workshop, USC Price students and alumni had the opportunity to connect, share advice, and…

The Power of the Trojan Family: Building a Network of Change

At the USC Price School of Public Policy, we’re not just educating future leaders, we’re cultivating a powerful network: the Trojan Family. This community extends far beyond our Los Angeles campus, and is made up of current students, alumni, and professionals who share a passion for driving positive change in public policy, public administration, health…

Student Experiences

Alumni Couple Finds Love, Career Success With Online Master’s

Gregory Smith and Lindsay Verber bonded during their Master of Public Administration (MPA) capstone project — and the rest is history. People often pursue a graduate degree to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge and advance in their chosen profession. For Gregory Smith and Lindsay Verber, enrolling in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program…

Ready to get started?

Whether you’re a working professional looking to make a social impact or a passion-driven individual looking for a career shift, our nationally ranked MPA Online program provides valuable education and experience that will help you advance in your career.

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