Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA)  

Career  

The EMPA degree at Maxwell provides an academic background for individuals pursuing a career in both government and non-governmental/non-profit organizations and focuses on public service and administration. It prepares the individual to work in various sectors including healthcare, education, social services, human services, international relief agencies, animal welfare, the arts, and environmental agencies. Regardless of the sector or industry, you will most likely work on providing services, setting and implementing policies, and evaluating social programs. In addition you may be tasked with projects in research and development, project management, marketing, financial planning, public relations, and human resource development and management. An appreciation of the socio-economic, political, and ethical environments in which businesses/governments operate is needed to succeed in these endeavors.  

At the level of local and state governments, popular positions include city and district managers and urban planners that involve monitoring the day-to-day activities of local governments, including long-term project planning. Social and  human services workers are often hired in a Public Administration capacity to work in social assistance programs. Job titles include social workers, case management workers, residential counselors and community outreach workers. A large number of Public Administration careers in local and state governments include elected positions, such as mayor, county commissioner and city council member.  

Public Administration positions available in non-profits are similar to those in government. Common positions include human resources manager, executive director, program director, program coordinator and director of development. Non-profits also require Public Administrators skilled in public relations, grant writing, proposal writing and marketing.