Online MPA Student Support

As a student in the Master of Public Administration online program, you have a team of people working hard every day to ensure your success. Each professional has a specific primary focus, but they are all valuable to interact with on a regular basis because they will help you navigate our program more successfully.

Our support services include academic counseling, mentorship programs, support for military service members, and accessibility resources.

Office of Academic Programs

Cyndee McDougal and Cole Yamada, program administrators, provide academic and administrative policy counseling. The Office of Academic Programs is the administrative hub for the master’s programs at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, and is primarily concerned with student progress, university compliance, and other matters.

Cohort Coach and Mentorship Program

Still thinking about applying? Cohort Coaches can answer any questions you might have about becoming an MPA online Trojan. Speak with an alum who has been through the program.

Once you enroll, our program pairs you with a Cohort Coach, a program alumnus who will act as your personal “go-to person” throughout your program. In many cases, our Coaches also act as a front-line professional mentor. Your Cohort Coach is an excellent resource for professional development as well as any questions, issues, or concerns you may have regarding your educational journey. The coach works alongside students in the first Residency as a type of TA, providing valuable tips on time management, communicating within the program, and communicating about the program as you work to organize your life for academic success. Following the first semester, your coach will host monthly meetings for your cohort to check in, ask questions, and learn more about certificates and career opportunities. Cohort coaches have assisted with job interview preparation, salary negotiations for new jobs, and dozens of introductions to the Trojan Family and our network of professional job leads. Alumni of the MPA online program frequently seek out new graduates to help grow their organizations, so staying in touch with the network, coaches, and their contacts is beneficial.

Connect with a Cohort Coach Today

USC Office of Student Accessibility Services

Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) is the unit at USC responsible for ensuring equal access for students with disabilities in compliance with state and federal law. OSAS serves undergraduate, graduate and professional students; on-ground and on-line students; and students in all credit-granting courses and programs of study.

Military Service Member Support

The USC Price MPA online program welcomes active duty, military dependents and veterans. Among our alumni (and faculty) are both active duty and veterans of military service. Many of the skills you developed in military training—navigating uncertainty, strategic leadership, effective decision-making, and more—are extremely valuable in the public administration field. Whether you are continuing to serve or transitioning out of the military, building on your experience with an advanced degree can be a path to becoming more versatile as a higher-ranking officer or to adapting your skill set to a civilian job. An MPA online degree from the Price school will rigorously prepare you for a career working in city/county management, emergency services, criminal justice, nonprofit management, shaping public policy, leading in the private sector, and more.

There are a number of dedicated resources available for military applicants and students. Active-duty military and veterans can request an application fee waiver from the graduate school and the USC Veterans Certification Office can assist with using your military tuition benefits. The USC Price School is also proud to partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide Yellow Ribbon benefits up to $5,000 for each award to qualified students. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work with a dedicated USC student success advisor who will support you throughout your time in the program, to assist you with scheduling courses, accessing funding, planning for deployment, and more. And you’ll connect to a worldwide network of Trojan alumni who have also served.