University of Southern California

MPA Curriculum

Prerequisites

The Masters of Public Administration (MPA) program has two prerequisites:

  • 12 units of undergraduate social sciences
  • statistics

These prerequisites must be satisfied within the first 12 units. Most students satisfy the social science requirement as undergraduates. Those who do not may take 12 units of social sciences at any accredited college or university.

» Statistics Prerequisite
» Social Science Prerequisite
» Contact Information

Statistics Prerequisite

SPPD faculty requires that all entering students demonstrate proficiency in relevant statistical methods. The statistics prerequisite can be satisfied in either one of two ways:
  • Statistics for Policy, Planning, and Development (PPD 404x)
    If this option is selected, students must complete PPD 404x with a grade of C or better. This course carries undergraduate credit and may not be applied to your degree requirements. Syllabi of current and recent sections of PPD 404x are available in Ralph and Goldy Lewis Hall 108.
  • Statistics Equivalency Test
    If this option is selected, students must pass the SPPD Statistics Competency Exam administered by SPPD. This test is given prior to registration each semester in Los Angeles and at the USC State Capital Center, but may be taken only once. Students who do not pass this exam must enroll in PPD 404x. The SPPD Statistics Competency Exam:
    • consists of 100 multiple-choice questions
    • is intended to call upon the student's conceptual understanding of basic statistics
    • requires some simple calculations, so students should bring a calculator
    • presupposes a preparatory knowledge of statistical notions (e.g., normal distribution, standard deviation, levels of measurement, continuous and discrete variables and assumptions required for certain statistical tests, etc.)

    The exam covers the following topics:

    • types of variables (levels of measurement)
    • descriptive statistics (central tendency, variability, association)
    • statistical inference (including sampling distributions, estimation and confidence limits, and hypothesis testing using Chi-Square, t-tests, and F-tests)
    • simple (one-way) analysis of variance (ANOVA) plus a conceptual understanding of complex (n-way) analysis of variance and covariance
    • simple least-squares regression plus a conceptual understanding of multiple regression
    • statistics information from statistics software (for example, The Statistical Analysis System)

Social Science Prerequisite

Students admitted to the MPA program are required to have successfully completed at least 12 semester units of undergraduate social sciences courses. Students who are deficient in social sciences are informed of that in their letter of admission. The social science prerequisite units may be taken at an accredited college or university. They must be completed with a grade C or higher and within the first 12 units of enrollment in the MPA program.

When this prerequisite has been completed, request that official transcripts be sent to Cynthia Clayton, MPA Student Services Advisor (see contact information below).

Contact Information

For additional information or to sign up for the Statistics Competency Exam, contact:

Cynthia Clayton, Student Services Advisor
University of Southern California
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
Ralph and Goldy Lewis Hall 108
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0626
Tel: (213) 740-0525
Fax: (213) 740-7573
E-mail