Have you ever thought of going back to school for an advanced degree? Adding another element to a busy life — such as graduate school — can throw you for a loop. But finding the right executive graduate program might be more realistic than you think.
For Gary Whatcott, assistant city manager of South Jordan, going back to school for an advanced degree after spending 27 years in the workforce was a bit of an afterthought. He had spent most of his career in local government leadership roles and enjoyed his position. But after hearing about the BYU Executive Master of Public Administration program, he thought it might help him hone his skills and grow his career even further.
"As I prepared to enter BYU's Executive MPA program I was a little intimidated and apprehensive of the unknown burden that school would have on my job and personal life," says Whatcott, a 2008 BYU EMPA graduate. "My experience, however challenging, was indeed an enhancement for me. It has given me confidence, credibility and the tools to be successful in my life and career."
For those wanting to augment their skillset, play a bigger impact on society and enjoy greater job satisfaction, an MPA from BYU's Romney Institute of Public Management is a degree to seriously consider.
While the Romney Institute offers the traditional daytime MPA program for those who recently completed undergraduate degrees, an executive MPA program is also offered for those, like Whatcott, who've spent years in the workforce.
BYU Executive MPA students come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including law enforcement, health care administration and nonprofit organizations as well as federal, state and local government agencies. Students enrolled in the three-year EMPA program meet one evening a week from August to June at the Triad Center in Salt Lake City.
BYU's MPA programs equip their students with skills in human resource management, communications, quantitative analysis, statistics, economics, public-sector finance, management strategy and ethical leadership.
The program's emphasis leads Derek Miller, chief of staff to Utah Governor Gary Herbert and a 1998 BYU MPA/JD graduate, to believe the program is a step above the rest.
"In my opinion, the number one item that separates BYU from others is its focus on quantitative analysis," Miller says. "Other programs focus a lot on policy, politics and human resources, but BYU's program gives such a great background in quantitative analysis. I use those skills I developed every single day and in every single job I have had since graduation."
In addition to skills, Whatcott feels the program can greatly benefit those seeking greater results in policy management and leadership.
"Decisions in my line of work can impact an entire community for either good or bad," Whatcott says. "Graduating from BYU's EMPA program gave me the ability to see with fresh eyes and with a much wider field of view. This perspective lends itself to making better policy decisions. It made me a better supervisor and has led me to providing better community services."
Graduates often report the biggest benefit of their degree is an increase in their job satisfaction. In the cases of Whatcott and Miller, they feel their educational experiences have further enabled them to make a difference in their communities, helping others live more enriching lives.
"What I like most about my job is that I really can see the impact of the decisions I'm making with the governor," Miller says. "We're making hundreds of decisions a day, and it's very rewarding to see those decisions bless the citizens of Utah. I would highly recommend someone hoping for more job satisfaction to pursue a BYU MPA degree."
The application deadline to begin this fall's BYU Executive MPA program is May 1. The program will be holding an information session at the Triad Center in Salt Lake City on April 6. For more information, visit empa.byu.edu.
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Writer: David Packard