Resources and Opportunities

At San Francisco State University, we want our students to gain the most out of their experiences in school. Explore the following resources and opportunities to learn more about what our school has to offer: from scholarships to student organizations to campus resources. 

Scholarships

Eugene I. Pearl Memorial Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to MPA students specializing in urban administration. 

Cho Public Service Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis for incoming and continuing MPA students. Students are selected on the basis of outstanding academic achievement, outstanding community service, and potential for excellence in the public and nonprofit sectors.

For more scholarships, please visit the Financial Aid Office.

Read more about how and where to apply to other scholarships

A group of friends running to catch the M-line train across the street from the campus' entrance

Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA)

Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA) is the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. Chartered in 1999, the SFSU Chapter of PAA recognizes outstanding MPA students for their academic achievement. They also host workshops and other opportunities for extracurricular engagement in public administration, public policy, and public affairs. The SFSU chapter has twice won the national award for Outstanding Pi Alpha Alpha Chapter.

A collage of the thirteen 2026 Willie L Brown Jr fellows with their headshots being taken in San Francisco City Hall

Willie L. Brown, Jr. Graduate Fellowship

The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Graduate Fellowship supports SFSU MPA students who are interested in careers in public service and who have faced barriers in accessing graduate education. Fellows are placed in year-long internships in San Francisco city and county agencies where they work on projects that align with their studies, skills, and interests, while also meeting the needs of their host departments. Fellows receive a stipend, take part in professional development activities, and are paired with a mentor.

Learn more about the Willie L. Brown Jr. Fellowship
The black and white cover of the 2018 Urban Action journal, which depicts a clock tower and upside down skyscrapers.

Urban Action Journal

Published at San Francisco State University since 1979, Urban Action is an annual journal produced by students enrolled in Urban Studies and Planning courses at SFSU. It is edited and produced entirely by students and consists of high quality student research papers, interviews, photo-essays and related material of interest.

Internships

Most of our students are employed full-time and attend school part time. Typically, those students receive a waiver of the internship requirement and the associated three credits. Some receive the waiver upon admission and others are required to request a waiver. For information about how to request a waiver, contact PACE Director Dr. Jennifer Shea (jshea@sfsu.edu). 

Students who are required to complete an internship to meet the degree requirements find a suitable 300 hour internship placement (20 hours/week for 15 weeks) and enroll in PA 803 (Public Affairs Internship) the semester of their internship.  Check the PACE Canvas page (Internship Resources module) to learn about resources for finding internships. Some internship opportunities will be posted as Announcements on the PACE Canvas page and some will be shared on LinkedIn.

  • USP majors are required to complete an internship of at least 135 hours and enroll in USP 603 (Public Service Internship) during the semester of the internship placement. 

Career Resources for Current PACE Students