The Public Sector Management and Leadership option within CSUN's MPA program develops and enhances management skills, enabling graduates to function more effectively within all types of public organizations. This option emphasizes both the quantitative aspects of management (i.e., decisions based on analytical data) and the human dynamics of leadership. By emphasizing conceptual and professional development, the program offers a well-rounded perspective of the field and develops leaders with a broad understanding at both the organizational and theoretical levels. Most participants come to the program with highly specialized knowledge that reflects their experience within a particular area of expertise. The program's integrated curriculum provides graduates with a broader perspective as well as a conceptual vocabulary for leading agencies through increasingly complex issues. The program also emphasizes systems thinking, which gives participants an understanding of the external and internal forces that impact decision-making and problem-solving at their agencies.