The Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) degrees offer a wide variety of policy & administration career pathways that gives students the opportunity to start a new career, change careers, or advance their career in public service.

Policy and Administration Careers

Policy design and administration take place in a variety of government, non-government, and private job sectors, including:

  • Federal, state, and local government
  • International government
  • Non-profit and Not-for-Profit organizations
  • Consulting
  • Environment and agriculture
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Business
Alumni Network
Mathew Olson, ’18 MPA

Mathew Olson received a Master of Public Administration from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 2018. In this video, he talks about what made McGeorge stand out to him during the application process, the hands-on experience he gained at McGeorge, and the school's professional network.

“McGeorge has a respected name and position in the policy spheres in Sacramento,” Olson said. “The program is really focused on your professional skills. We’re doing projects and assignments that are going to prepare us for the work place.”

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Career Opportunities

Many graduates find jobs or advance their careers within organizations that are most suitable to their policy interests. Organizations that have employed our alumni include:

Government Organizations

  • California Department of Rehabilitation
  • California Department of Justice
  • California Department of Social Services
  • California State Assembly
  • California State Senate
  • City of Sacramento
  • City of Stockton
  • State Water Resources Control Board

Non-Profit and Not-for-Profit Organizations

  • Adventist Health
  • Physicians for a Healthy California
  • Climate Action Reserve
  • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)

Private Organizations

  • The Highlands Consulting Group, LLC
  • WSP Consulting Firm
  • Sjoberg Evashenk Consulting, Inc.
  • Chevron
Alumni Network
Raina Ryan, MPA’20

Raina Ryan came to Sacramento from the East Coast to earn her Master of Public Administration at McGeorge School of Law in 2020 because of the programs home in a law school, and the law school's location in California's capital city. She also discusses how her degree, and McGeorge's alumni network, have helped her career growth.

“The MPA program here at McGeorge is set in a law school and having those law professors and classes available to you is really an advantage,” Ryan said.

Common Career Paths

McGeorge MPP and MPA graduates are often employed as:

  • Analysts
  • Managers
  • Directors
  • Executives
  • Consultants
  • Policy Advocates

Career Development Opportunities

With our experienced faculty and diverse community of organizations seeking public service interns and externs, students can put learned skills to practice. Recent internship and externship placements include:

  • Mayor Darrell Steinberg’s Office Internship Program
  • State Water Resource Control Board
  • California Department of Finance
  • CalRecycle
  • City of Sacramento
  • Lucas Public Affairs
  • Center for Business and Policy Research
  • Physicians for a Healthy California
  • Valley Vision
Alumni Network
Katie Ramsey, MPA '19

Katie Ramsey, '19, graduated from McGeorge School of Law with a Master of Public Administration. Her degree has propelled her career forward. She works at Physicians for a Healthy California, where she has built two programs created by statute from the ground up, something she credits her unique McGeorge education that enhanced her MPA with law courses, with giving the ability to do.

“This campus really drew me for all of the networking events and for being part of the service-driven community environment that is here on campus,” Ramsey said. “I network with my teachers and my peers. I use those relationships every single day to help me as well as help others.”

Alumni Network

Our expanding alumni network consists of working professionals who serve in all levels of public service within a variety of organizations. Students have the opportunity to connect and build lasting relationships with our McGeorge family who offer a wide range of employment resources.

Jeanelle Gottlob, ’19 MPA
Alumni Network
Jeanelle Gottlob, ’19 MPA

"I decided to pursue an MPA with McGeorge because the program stood out from others in that it was embedded within a law school. At the time I made this decision, I was seeking higher education assistance and training to strengthen my abilities to interpret and write policy and regulations for the California Department of Social Services ..."

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