A Schedule That Works For You

The MPA is a 12-month program which kicks off each year in late May.  During the Summer Core, MPA students complete nine required courses taken in person and taught on the beautiful UC Berkeley campus. Over the fall and spring semesters, students may complete the program in residence at the Goldman School or by taking courses online.

Flexible Formats

Students can customize the program in two ways to meet their schedule needs.  By splitting the summer requirements over two summers, and by opting for online coursework in the Fall and Spring terms.

By spreading the summer requirements over two summers, students can choose an alternate schedule that integrates with commitments outside of school. Students who choose this option will increase their time to graduation from 12 to 14 months and will incur additional fees (inclusive of fee increases, summer Campus Fees, and Health Care).

Experience Berkeley In The Summer

The centerpiece of the MPA program is the summer core which emphasizes leadership skills, strategic thinking and multidisciplinary analysis. Students attend in-person courses with their cohort, which builds connections to the UC Berkeley campus, develops a strong sense of community among students and faculty, and enhances opportunities for networking. 

MPA summer core classes are full-time, required, and students must attend all classes in-person at the Goldman School. Running Monday through Friday for 6 to 8 hours each weekday, these courses also require additional out-of-class work. During Summer A, students complete 8 units and in Summer B, they complete 6 units.

Fall and Spring Core and Elective Classes

In the Fall and Spring semesters, students take two required courses: one that fulfills the Policy Analysis breadth requirement and the Capstone course. MPA students also complete a minimum of six units of electives over the course of the program, taken either online or in-person**. The average MPA student typically completes 6 to 7 units each semester, which is about 20 hours per week of combined in and out-of-class time. 

Minimum Unit Requirements For Degree Completion

Students pursuing their MPA at UC Berkeley are required to complete a minimum of 30 units over three or four consecutive terms (inclusive of summer). This breaks down to 21 units of core courses and at least 9 units of electives.

**International students enrolled at UC Berkeley (F-1 or J-1 visa holders) must enroll in at least three credits of in-person classes per semester.