Program Overview

The Executive Master in Public Administration (EMPA) program is a 3-year, 42-credit-hour program designed for working professionals with at least four years of relevant work experience. Students develop practical skills to successfully navigate their current work environments and advance their careers.

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).

International applicants who require student visas to enroll are NOT eligible to participate in this part-time executive program per U.S. federal regulations.

Classes are held one night a week at the BYU Salt Lake Center for the duration of the program.

  • Entering class of 2023 will meet on Thursday nights
  • Entering class of 2024 will meet on Wednesday nights
  • Entering class of 2025 will meet on Tuesday nights
  • Entering class of 2026 will meet on Thursday nights

The curriculum is standardized so that students in the same cohort attend classes together throughout the 3-year program. Students take six credits during fall and winter semesters and three credits during spring term. Classes are not held during summer term. Please see the BYU Academic Calendar for specific dates.

BYU Salt Lake Center

  • Organizational Behavior
  • Quantitative Decision Analysis
  • Economic Decision Making for Managers
  • Communication in Public Administration
  • Administrative Environment

  • Statistical Analysis
  • Human Resource Management
  • Program Evaluation
  • Executive Nonprofit Management
  • Legal Issues in Public Administration

  • Budgeting and Finance
  • Ethics for Management
  • Project Management
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Leadership in Public Organizations