Answer: In contrast to a traditional Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree intended for professionals early in their careers who aspire to achieve managerial positions, an Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) degree is designed to build on the existing knowledge possessed by professionals with several years of experience (typically five years or more), including managerial experience, within either the public or non-profit sector.
While MPA and EMPA programs are both master’s degrees primarily intended for professionals looking to advance their careers within the field of public service, there are key differences between the programs. While the fundamental coursework may be similar, focusing on public management skills relating to public policy, sociology and law, grant proposal writing, project management, and community development, an EMPA curriculum typically has a stronger emphasis on public managerial leadership competencies such as managing human and financial resources, analyzing social and political systems, and coordinating executive actions. EMPA programs are intended for applicants with extensive existing experience in the field of public service and often require five to 10 years of work experience in order to be considered for admission. Whereas, there are numerous MPA programs that do not require previous work experience as part of their admissions criteria.
Continue reading below to learn more about MPA and EMPA programs, as well as the differences between these two advanced degrees.
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
The Master of Public Administration degree is typically designed for professionals early in their careers within the field of public service who wish to pursue leadership roles within government, non-profit, or private organizations that serve the public good. The degree focuses on establishing strong foundational industry knowledge and refining leadership and managerial skills by examining current industry trends and historical case studies, and completing assignments designed to mirror real-world scenarios. MPA programs are typically collaborative, consisting of group projects as well as in-classroom and online discussions.
To accommodate students with varying career goals and areas of interest, MPA programs offer a myriad of concentrations. Students seeking to further specialize their degree can focus their elective coursework in one of the following areas of study: Criminal Justice, Education Administration and Policy, Emergency and Disaster Management, Environmental Policy and Management, Health Administration, Homeland Security, Human Resource Management, International Administration and Global Policy, Local Government Management, Nonprofit Administration, Public Financial Management, Public Health, Public Management and Organizational Leadership, Public Policy, or Urban Management. Areas of emphasis vary depending on the school and the program, and some programs also offer a General Public Administration track that enables students to tailor their course of study by selecting electives that align with their career goals. Students are advised to thoroughly research programs to find ones that either offer a distinct specialization or a series of electives that align with their desired area of focus.
Regardless of a student’s elected area of specialization, core coursework typically covers topics such as public policy, research and strategy, law and ethics, financial management, budgeting, and organizational management, with an emphasis on the enhancement of leadership and communication skills. In addition, the majority of MPA programs require students to complete a final capstone project or thesis, and students with less than one year of relevant professional experience are often required to complete an additional for-credit internship.
The typical MPA program consists of 30 to 48 graduate credit hours of study, or 10 to 13 graduate level courses. Universities typically allow students up to five to seven years to earn a graduate degree; however, a student enrolled full-time can expect to earn their degree in 18 to 24 months. Part-time students typically take 24 to 36 months to earn their degree. For students interested in earning their degree fully online, classes may be scheduled live in the evenings or on weekends (synchronous instruction) or pre-recorded and accessed at the student’s convenience (asynchronous instruction). Most online MPA programs are designed to accommodate professionals with concurrent full-time employment.
Public service professionals who pursue an MPA degree are typically well-suited for leadership roles within government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on serving the public interest. Graduates may also find roles in industries such as healthcare or academia. Depending on their area of specialization, they may find positions as urban planners, city managers, grant writers, fundraising managers, human resources managers, or as consultants for advocacy groups focused on topics such as environmental or educational issues.
Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA)
An Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) degree is intended for mid- and/or late-career professionals seeking senior leadership positions within government, non-profit, international, or private organizations that serve the public good. These programs center around the enhancement of leadership, advocacy, and managerial capabilities, preparing students to address challenges at the highest level within nonprofit, public, and private sectors. An advanced curricula encourages the utilization of students’ real-world experiences and current professional obstacles to educate and advance within their respective fields.
Most Executive MPA programs require applicants to have between five and ten years of professional experience within either the public or non-profit sector. A typical EMPA applicant will also possess three or more years of managerial experience, with proven expertise in areas such as budgeting, strategic planning, hiring, and supervising. Prospective students who meet these preliminary requirements should explore universities that offer either an Executive MPA or Mid-Career MPA degree program.
While core coursework may be similar to a traditional MPA degree program, EMPA coursework is typically more in-depth with substantial collaboration amongst professors and classmates. Given the professional requirements for admission, EMPA students typically find that their cohort consists of other high-level service-minded peers, leading to dynamic discussions of real-world scenarios that may be immediately applied to their individual business initiatives. While some EMPA programs offer designated specializations in select fields such as public and nonprofit management, criminal justice administration, or health administration, most EMPA programs offer a more fixed curriculum or allow students to collaborate with a faculty advisor to develop an individualized learning plan that best aligns with their career goals.
Typically designed for students who intend to maintain full-time employment during their studies, students pursuing an EMPA can expect to graduate within one to two years, depending on whether they are enrolled part- or full-time. Operating on an accelerated track, students can complete the required 30 to 42 credit hours in a shorter period with a heavier summer course load. Given the important role mathematics plays within an EMPA curriculum, students are encouraged to review key algebraic and geometric principles prior to beginning their course of study. If a student is unable to demonstrate proficiency, some universities offer prerequisite refresher courses.
For students interested in earning their EMPA online, there are currently 14 schools that offer an online EMPA. Online programs enable students who do not live near a college or university that offers an EMPA program the ability to pursue their degree without having to relocate. Online EMPA programs often utilize the same faculty and curriculum as campus-based programs, with the added benefit of interacting and networking with a cohort of students who may be located across the globe. Live class sessions may be offered in the early mornings or late evenings, or on the weekends and are often paired with asynchronous, independent instruction, and collaborative work. Some online EMPA programs require brief residential periods or on-campus visits as part of their curriculum, so prospective students should research and understand any on-campus requirements before applying to online programs.
Master of Public Administration (MPA) vs. Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) Degree Programs
While most EMPA programs operate independently from General MPA programs, some EMPAs are offered within a traditional MPA program. For example, students with significant relevant professional experience in government, nonprofits, political science, or public administration pursue the same degree as students without this experience, but EMPA students are able to waive introductory courses or receive “professional credits”, thereby reducing the number of credits needed to graduate. There are also Executive MPA specializations that are offered as part of a traditional MPA program and unlike traditional MPA programs which requires more foundational or “core” courses, EMPA programs often consist of specialized courses designed to teach advanced skills and knowledge.
While personal statements, resumes, transcripts, and letters of recommendation are all components of a standard MPA application, admission to an EMPA program is often determined by professional experience, proven leadership capability, and determined potential for academic success. Greater emphasis may be placed on professional recommendation letters to highlight managerial experience and demonstrate leadership skills. Recommendations typically must be written by colleagues and/or supervisors, as letters from family and friends are usually not considered. Guidelines and admissions requirements vary by university, so potential applicants should check a school’s website or speak to a member of the admissions staff prior to applying to determine eligibility criteria. In general, there are fewer applicants to master’s and executive master’s programs compared to undergraduate degree programs. Therefore, potential applicants should reach out and talk to program directors as a way to demonstrate their interest in the program before applying.
GRE requirements for both EMPA and MPA programs are typically university or program dependent. However, many schools no longer require the submission of GRE scores to be considered for acceptance, but students are usually able to submit scores as part of their application materials if they think their scores will strengthen their application. Some universities do ask for GRE scores if a student is requesting financial assistance, applying to be a graduate assistant, or fails to meet minimum academic criteria. Learn more about GRE requirements by reading our FAQ on online MPA programs that do not require the GRE.
In addition to institutional accreditation, schools and departments offering MPA and EMPA degree programs may opt to pursue programmatic accreditation through The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). NASPAA is an independent, non-profit organization that accredits graduate degree programs in public administration, public policy, and public affairs. This accreditation is optional. To learn more about the NASPAA and its accreditation process, check out our FAQ: What is the NASPAA?
The table below provides a direct comparison of several aspects of MPA and EMPA programs.
| Example Specialization Options |
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| Graduate Credit Hours Required | 30 to 48 credits (NASPAA accredited programs must be at least 36 credit hours) | 30 to 42 credits (NASPAA accredited programs must be at least 36 credit hours) |
| Time to Completion | 18 to 24 months (full-time), 2 to 3 years (part-time) | 12 to 24 months |
| Sample Courses |
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| Accreditation | NASPAA (optional) | NASPAA (optional) |
| Delivery Methods | On-Campus, Hybrid, and Online | On-Campus, Hybrid, and Online (fully online and online with minimal residency requirements) |
| Capstone Options | Professional Project or Master's Thesis and Internship | Professional Project |
| Careers Post-Graduation | Managerial roles with government, nonprofit, or public service organizations | High-level leadership roles with government, nonprofit, or public service organizations |