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.
Undergraduate Public Administration Pathway Program
Students enrolled in the Dual BAM/EMPA Degree program will have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Management with Public Administration Concentration , which provides a solid foundation in essential management concepts, techniques, communication, and organizational behavior, and then continue on to earn the Executive Public Administration (EMPA) , which provides 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. Students will learn to organize, motivate, and lead individuals in diverse public and private business enterprises. Those who complete the dual degree program will be in a unique position to understand and navigate the complex interactions between the public and private sectors, including policymaking, ethics, and the increasing privatization of the public sector.
Declaring Program Concentrations
Students may declare up to two concentrations in a given degree program. Students seeking to declare more than two concentrations will be required to appeal to the dean for approval. Students’ diplomas will list the concentrations that they had successfully completed at the time their degrees were conferred. Students may not declare additional concentrations after their degrees have been conferred.
Students may select from the following concentrations:
Requirements for the Executive Master of Public Administration
The executive MPA requires completion of nine four-semester-hour courses for a total of 36 units, with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or better in courses taken at Golden Gate University that are applicable to the program’s requirements. For further information regarding graduation requirements, see Academic Requirements for Graduate Programs .
Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement
Students are expected to possess proficiency in writing to ensure they can be successful in their course of study. Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria listed under Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement .
Advanced Program - 36 units
Law Enforcement and Security Concentration (EMPA-LES) -12 units
Designed for law enforcement, public and private security professionals, probation and correctional officers, military police and first responders who seek to gain advanced knowledge, critical thinking, as well as operational and managerial skills in their dynamic field. Practitioners will benefit from the core EMPA courses in leadership, organizational development, law budgeting, and research. The specialization courses in law enforcement, emergency, and security address issues and cases facing administration and operations in federal, state, municipal, and private agencies.
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