An Overview
The University of La Verne was founded in 1891 and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The institution offers a range of bachelor's and graduate degree programs and has campuses in several countries, with a total student body of more than 8,000. The University maintains membership in such organizations as the American Council on Education, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Association of Western Hospitals, Independent Colleges of Southern California, Western College Association, Association of American Colleges, AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and the National University and College Extension Service. The Master of Public Administration program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.

The D.P.A. program has approximately 75 students. Approximately 12 percent are international students, and approximately 50 percent are women. The mean age of the doctoral students is 38. More than 50 percent work as managers, administrators, or entrepreneurs. More than 150 students have graduated. The Master of Public Administration program has about 50 students, of whom 50 percent are women, and the mean age is 36.

The Community
Situated in the small, residential community of La Verne about 30 miles east of Los Angeles, the University is set against the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains. La Verne neighbors the international business and commercial districts of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties. Students enjoy the cultural opportunities and other educational facilities found in these massive metropolitan areas.

Programs of Study
Advanced degree programs offered by the Department of Public Administration prepare students to assume roles as outstanding, socially responsible contributors in the public sector and service industries. The educational curriculum offers state-of-the-art management courses and stresses values-based approaches, the ability to manage change, and comparative and international experiences.

Degrees managed by the department include Doctor of Public Administration (54 semester hours), Master of Public Administration (39 semester hours), and Master of Public Administration for City Managers (47 semester hours). Domestic and international internships are available for masters students. All public administration programs are planned to accommodate the professional adult; classes meet evenings and weekends. Master's students may register for four terms each year and may begin the program in fall, winter, spring, or summer. Full-time master's students can complete their program in a year and a half. D.P.A. students may begin in the fall or spring term and can finish all course work in 3 years by taking 9 units in each semester.

The doctoral program in public administration focuses on research methods, public administration organization theory and behavior, policy analysis, and budgeting and financial management, along with leadership theory and practice. Students gain theoretical insight and skills that will help them be valued as skilled professional managers and leaders and esteemed as scholarly practitioners.

The D.P.A. program is offered in clusters of 12-15 students each. The clusters are located throughout southern California. Clusters are designed around a team concept that frames a structure for theoretical learning and the application of theories in practical situations. Students learn through a collaborative process with their faculty leaders. The faculty team consists of full-time University faculty members and adjunct professors who are management practitioners. The course work emphasizes projects that require the advanced theory studied through reading and discussion to be applied in practical assignments. Students show competency each semester through tasks such as group and individual papers, oral presentations, and other products.

Besides completing course work, D.P.A. students write a doctoral dissertation. They come to the La Verne campus for a weekend orientation at the beginning of each term and then return for two 3-day weekends every semester for seminars that are an integral, required part of doctoral studies.

Facilities and Resources
ULV's Wilson Library has an extensive collection in management science and doctoral research. Students also have access to the collections of more than 2,000 other libraries through computer linkage. ULV library cards are honored by members of the Inland Empire Cooperative System. Computerized library research services provide access to journal and organization publications and dissertations written at major universities.

Expenses and Aid
Costs: Doctoral tuition is $760 per unit; Master of Public Administration tuition is $490 per unit. Doctoral students may pay tuition on an interest-free installment plan that distributes the cost of each semester over a six-month period with minimal carrying charges. Master's students may pay a 40 percent down payment at the time of registration, then remit the balance in three monthly installments. Registration fees are $30 per semester.

Financial Aid: The Financial Aid Office assists students to obtain low-interest deferrable loans. In addition, the Department of Public Administration offers competitive partial scholarships and assistantships.

Housing/Living Expenses: On-campus housing is not available for graduate students. Single rooms in the area rent for $300 or more monthly; one-bedroom apartments range from $600 to $800 per month.

How to Apply
Admission to the master's and doctoral programs is evaluated on the basis of undergraduate GPA and graduate GPA (if applicable), with official transcripts from accredited universities or colleges; three letters of recommendation; and a statement of purpose. For D.P.A. applicants, a personal interview with a faculty member and submission of GRE (aptitude section), GMAT, or Miller Analogies Test scores are also required. The application fee is $40 for the Master of Public Administration and $75 for the doctoral degree. Prospective international students are required to provide a TOEFL score and to file financial statements and verification of financial support. ULV has a rolling admissions policy; students are notified of acceptance by the department as their files become ready for consideration.