MPPA Curriculum
Electives (6 units)

Students choose from electives that fulfill their particular needs and goals. Electives may be chosen from among PPA courses and classes in other departments. Currently the Department offers specializations in urban policy, higher education, and collaborative decision making. Following are current PPA offerings.

PPA 250, California Land Use Policy examines public policies that influence land use planning and development and applies them to issues that dominate California policy choices including urban design, fiscalization of land use, sustained growth, and the challenges of social equity. (3 units)

PPA 251, Urban Problems Economics, and Public Policy examines some of the most pressing problems facing central cities and urban areas in the United States (poverty, crime, urban abandonment/suburban sprawl, edge cities, deteriorating infrastructures, fiscal stress, etc.). (3 units)

PPA 260, Working with Legislatures aims to enhance students' policy effectiveness by increasing their understanding of how legislatures operate. Examples will be drawn from legislatures at all levels of government. The course will include an extended simulation of a legislative decision making process. Both academic readings and case studies will be used. (3 units)

PPA 270, Collaborative Policy examines the theory and practice of collaborative policy-making. (3 units)

PPA 271, Practice in Collaborative Policy provides participants with practical skills and knowledge of several collaborative methods in public policy. (3 units)
[Formerly PPA 296J]

PPA 272, Advanced Practice in Collaborative Policy is a participatory course geared toward mid-career professionals who desire to increase their skills in using collaborative methods. (3 units)
[Formerly PPA 296L]

PPA 280, Higher Education Policyexplores key topics in higher education public policy at the federal and state levels in their historical and contemporary contexts. (3 units)

PPA 281, Higher Education Leadership focuses on the various dimensions of leadership structures in higher education institutions. (3 units)

PPA 284, Urban Policy is an in depth exploration of the socio-economic problems of urban and metropolitan areas and evaluation of proposed political and governmental solutions. (3 units)

PPA 291, Court Governance and Operations is the first course in the Judicial Administration concentration/certificate. (3 units)
(rigid enrollment restrictions apply, contact department for details)

PPA 292, Court Management is part of the Judicial Administration concentration/certificate. (3 units)
Prerequisite: Court Governance and Operations
(rigid enrollment restrictions apply, contact department for details)

PPA 293, Court Leadership is part of the Judicial Administration concentration/certificate. (3 units)
(rigid enrollment restrictions apply, contact department for details)

PPA 294, Emerging Issues in Judicial Administration is the final course in the Judicial Administration certificate. (3 units)
(rigid enrollment restrictions apply, contact department for details)