University of San Francisco Masters Degrees in Public Policy

Our MA in Urban and Public Affairs program trains students in public policy, urban studies, and grassroots organizing, examining ways policy and community engagement can effect positive change.

Our program combines graduate seminars in urban studies, politics, sociology, and public policy with hands-on experience in community-based research, policy design, policy analysis, advocacy and implementation. Graduates are uniquely equipped to formulate policy and initiatives for more equitable and vibrant urban areas, inspired through thoughtful engagement with the theory and practice of social justice.

Internship - gain hands-on experience in the field and build a network of professional contacts

Career Opportunities - supported by academic and field mentorship, and leadership development

Distinguished Faculty - comprised of both leading academics and accomplished professionals and practitioners in the field

Learning Outcomes

Student will:

• Master foundational concepts of urban history, sociology, and politics, and demonstrate the capacity to apply these ideas in real-world settings
• Demonstrate expertise in one or more areas of urban public policy
• Contemplate models of social change and social justice while developing the requisite skills and knowledge to actuate change
• Apply knowledge gained in the classroom in various and diverse community settings
• Apply knowledge gained in the community to inform classroom learning and scholarship
• Build networks through interactions with professionals from fields including public policy, advocacy, community organizing, and public service
• Engage in meaningful career planning through both self reflection as well as through interactions with colleagues and professionals in the field
• Contribute to the public discourse around contemporary urban policy issues
• Demonstrate professional skills in writing, urban and participatory research, and policy analysis
• Propose, design, and implement a research project that combines the conceptual and practical tools provided by the program

You can request more information by visiting our website

San Francisco Advantage

Our program is uniquely situated at the center of San Francisco Bay Area politics. The Bay Area is well known nationally for pioneering policy measures on environmental issues, gay rights, housing policy, and many other urgent social justice concerns. Students engage in the vibrant living classroom of the region, developing practical research and policy development

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Develop workable solutions for the common good while working toward an exciting career in public management.

Navigate the intersection of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Translate theory into practice and begin implementing policy that supports your community.

Our MPA program prioritizes hands-on experience that prepares you to address the public interest through the collection and analysis of evidence essential for implementing public service strategies.

A flexible class schedule helps working professionals balance their busy lives, while small class sizes promote one-on-one attention and deeper relationship building.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

- Typical program length is 21 months with 38 credits
- Classes offered on Saturday
- Preferred but not required - two years of professional work experience, including internships
- Wide range of scholarship and financial aid options. View our Tuition, Scholarship & Financial Aid page.
- Classes begin each fall at USF’s Downtown San Francisco campus. Also offered in a 100% online format.
- Accredited by NASPAA, the foremost membership organization of graduate programs in public administration, public policy, public affairs, and public & nonprofit management in the US and around the world.
- Ranked among the Best Public Affairs Programs by the U.S. News & World Report.

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As the world's cities continue to grow, USF's dual JD/MA in Urban and Public Affairs Program will equip you with the skills and knowledge to be an effective lawyer and leader in 21st century urban and public policy challenges.

With a Master of Arts in Urban and Public Affairs from the USF College of Arts and Sciences and a Juris Doctor from the USF School of Law, graduates are uniquely prepared to be effective and ethical leaders in urban and public policy and community organizing. This four-year program is designed to prepare law school graduates with the knowledge and hands-on experience of applied urban research and community engagement and organizing. A comprehensive background in urban history, political dynamics, and sociology is combined with tools for community-based research, policy design, policy analysis, and implementation.

The dual degree program leverages the advantages of USF’s location in one of the most dynamic urban environments in the United States. It provides students with the opportunity to build their legal and research careers through immersion experiences in San Francisco and other Bay Area cities.

The dual degree program provides a cost and time savings of more than a year. Students may begin their course of study in either program.

Curriculum

To receive the JD/MUPA dual degrees, students must earn at least 84 law units (including 42 units in required core law courses) plus 36 MUPA units. MUPA units equal 9 units in required MUPA core courses plus 15 units in elective MUPA courses (including 3 units of law externship or legal clinic and 3 units of law upper level research and writing) plus 12 units from approved law school electives).

Please see the website for further details:

https://www.usfca.edu/law/jd/mupa

San Francisco Advantage

Our program is uniquely situated at the center of San Francisco Bay Area politics. The Bay Area is well known nationally for pioneering policy measures on environmental issues, gay rights, housing policy, and many other urgent social justice concerns. Students engage in the vibrant living classroom of the region, developing practical research and policy development skills.

Read less