Advance your career, faster.
Our EMPA program can now be completed in two years.
Deepen your professional skillset, expand your network, and accelerate your career without stepping away from your professional role.
The EMPA program is structured to provide a feasible yet rigorous educational experience for students trying to balance work, family, and school responsibilities. Typically, EMPA students spend between 15 and 20 hours a week in program-related activities (including travel, time in class, homework, and team collaboration).
As working professionals, EMPA students bring their real-world experiences, connections, and insights into classroom discussions. They learn how to work effectively in teams and gain analytic and communication skills that set them apart in the workplace. EMPA students are able to help each other find solutions to current workplace challenges and apply the skills they learn in the classroom the very next day in their professional position.
“I’m an EMPA because I want to improve my knowledge and skills to be a better employee, wife, grandmother, and servant in the Church.”
Michelle Stevenson, Missionary Training Center administrative assistant
“I’m a BYU EMPA because it enabled me to get a superior higher education while allowing me to continue my full-time career. The classes at night were ideal for my situation.”
Daniel Softley, Provo City director of human services
Frequently asked questions
Program Questions
The EMPA is a graduate program designed for mid- to senior-level professionals seeking to strengthen their leadership, management, and policy skills in public service and related sectors.
An MPA helps you strengthen leadership and management skills, deepen your understanding of public and nonprofit organizations, and expand your professional network. It can also open doors to advancement and leadership opportunities within your current field.
The EMPA is tailored for experienced professionals and the curriculum helps students apply skills to the challenges they are currently facing in the workplace. The EMPA program offers a part-time schedule to provide flexibility for those balancing work, school, family, and other obligations.
MBA (Master of Business Administration)
- Focus: Private sector and business performance
- Best for: Corporate, startup, consulting, finance, product, and operations roles
- Curriculum: Finance and accounting, marketing and strategy, operations and supply chains, entrepreneurship, data analytics
- Career paths: Management and executive roles, consulting, finance, marketing, product management, startups, and corporate strategy
- Core mindset: Profit, growth, competition, shareholder value, market-driven decision-making
- Key metrics: ROI, market share
MPA (Master of Public Administration)
- Focus: Public, nonprofit, and policy-driven organizations
- Best for: Government, NGOs, and nonprofits
- Curriculum: Public policy analysis, public budgeting and finance, program evaluation, ethics and governance, public law, human resources in the public sector
- Career paths: Government leadership (local, state, federal), policy analyst, nonprofit leadership, public affairs and administration
- Core mindset: Public interest, equity, accountability, policy outcomes, and social impact
- Key metrics: Policy outcomes, social value
Classes are held in person at the BYU Salt Lake Center.
Classes are held once a week for 4 hours and 30 minutes. The amount of time spent working on coursework outside of class depends on each student. Most students report spending an average of 15-20 hours a week outside of class.
Fast-tracking the MPA or EMPA program can be done in certain circumstances and is determined on a case-by-case basis. Students interested in fast-tracking may reach out to the associate director for consideration.
International applicants who require student visas to enroll are NOT eligible to participate in this part-time executive program per US federal regulations.
Tuition and Finances
Tuition costs can be found here. The EMPA program costs included under Graduate School of Business, for credit hours 0.5-8.0. Tuition increases annually.
Scholarships are available. The amount of scholarship money awarded depends on GPA, class size, and other qualifications. More information will be sent upon admission.
Application and Admissions
Application requirements can be found here.
No, we do not require the GRE/GMAT.
No, you will send an unofficial transcript with your application. If you are admitted to the program, you will then request an official transcript to be sent. Further instructions will be sent out upon admission.
No, all applications submitted by May 1 are considered at the same time.
Start with the online application found here. Applications are due May 1.
Decisions will be sent out in June.
The acceptance rate is typically 60-70%.
Students who are not admitted may apply again in future years. It is highly recommended to meet with Heather Chewning (hc@byu.edu) to receive feedback about steps you can take to improve your credentials. If you re-apply with the same application, showing no improvement, the chances of admission are low.