Program Information
Offered by the oldest public administration department in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) is for students interested in a thorough understanding of the advanced processes, issues, and practices associated with the management of high-performing public service and nonprofit organizations at the municipal, regional, state, federal and international levels of governance. The EMPA will introduce students to the relevant set of real-world knowledge and skills required to function effectively in a managerial or executive role within such organizational settings. In addition to intergovernmental relations, the program will expose students to the latest best practices in succession planning, benchmarking, privatization, anti-corruption and ethics, as well as government, business and community partnerships.
Unlike the traditional MPA, the EMPA program is accelerated, more rigorous, and taught by professors who have all worked in public service. These seasoned professor-practitioners provide in-depth, real-time exposure to executive and managerial skills and knowledge common to middle and upper-level management in all public and nonprofit organizations. This includes planning; process management; financial management; human resources and labor relations; organizational development and change; law and administrative process; public policy formulation, analysis and implementation; accountability and ethics.
The goal of the EMPA program is to provide students with the leadership, organizational, analytical and communication skills, problem-solving techniques and subject-based knowledge required to manage effectively complex organizations in the public and nonprofit sectors. In addition, the program provides a critical understanding of the major political, social, economic and environmental problems confronted by contemporary public and nonprofit organizations. A strong sense of professional commitment to the highest standards of legal and ethical behavior as well as respect for the values upon which the profession of public administration is founded on are important goals of GGU’s EMPA program. For the opportunity to socialize and network within their fields, students are encouraged to join the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). GGU also has a chapter of the national public administration honor society, Pi Alpha Alpha and has been an institutional member of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) since 1973.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the theory and practice of:
- Ethics, accountability, and governance in public service;
- Policymaking and intergovernmental relations;
- Leadership and organizational reform;
- Government, business, and civil society partnerships;
- Public finance and budgeting;
- Law and justice in public service;
- Law enforcement and security;
- Public personnel, labor relations, succession planning; and
- Policy research, analysis, and presentation.
Multiple Concentrations
Two or more concentrations may be taken in the EMPA program. In addition to the course requirements for the concentrations, students must also complete the coursework for all required courses. All of the coursework for multiple concentrations must be completed prior to graduation; students may not request any additional concentrations after they have received their EMPA. The diploma will list all of the concentrations that the student successfully completed by the date of graduation.
The following concentrations are available:
Advanced Program - 36 units
Judicial Administration Concentration (EMPA-JA) - 12 units
As the work of our nation’s local, state and federal courts becomes more and more complex, court managers and managing judges must keep abreast of modern public administration techniques and practices hence the need for an EMPA-JA.
