What you can do with a Master’s degree in Executive Public Administration
Fancy a career in administration? Find out why a Master’s degree in Executive Public Administration can open doors for you in both the public and private sectors.
If there is one thing every country needs, it is effective leadership. From the private sector to public administration, many leaders within organisations today are highly underqualified.
So what’s the answer? Find out why a Master’s degree in Executive Public Administration (EMPA) qualifies you for a range of exciting career opportunities – and can turn you into the leader you aspire to be.
Requirements for admission into an EMPA Graduate Program
If you have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of experience in a career within management, you should stand a good chance of gaining admission onto Executive Public Administration graduate programs.
Some universities, such as Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs won’t even ask for your GMAT or GRE scores.
Your past GPA will also not be a consideration because the life experience you gained in those five years alone make you a worthy candidate. And many schools appreciate your understanding of the importance of practical applications above and beyond academics.
An EMPA qualifies you to work in the private sector
There is sometimes confusion about what you can do with an EMPA once you’re qualified. While the degree may be in public administration, the very same skillset is needed in the private sector too.
Leadership skills are vital in any sector, and an Executive Master’s in Public Administration will qualify you to work in the private sector, as well as within the nonprofit and government sectors. From healthcare and education, to insurance and finance, you can work your way up to upper management in any industry with this qualification.
Work at any level of government
An EMPA doesn’t put a limit on your opportunities working within the pubic sector. A public administration degree provides you with the credentials to pursue a career on a federal, state, county or municipal government level. So if you want to make an impact on how a government agency is organized and managed, this would be a great career opportunity for you.
One advantage of many government jobs is that they usually offer a level of stability you might not find within the private sector. However, a disadvantage is that it can be easier to advance your career beyond low level administration in the public sector.
Fancy becoming a program director?
Many graduates with an EMPA start as a program analyst, but with their qualifications and hard work, they can work their way up to an upper-level administrative position as a program director.
Organizations like the CDC in Atlanta have many programs underway, and each has its own director/administrator. The research team is separate from the public education team, which in turn is separate from the legal team and the press teams.
Each program usually has a director with a minimum of an EMPA, and if your passion is healthcare, this would be a great career path to explore.
Work as an administrator of case management teams
Another career option with an EMPA is case management; an essential role in both the public and private sectors. Take public housing or mental health as an example. Each team has a caseload, and although each team has a leader, there is one person who keeps the teams managed and focused on handling their caseloads.
Often the administrator meets directly with team leaders, but an effective administrator should also be familiar with team members to properly assess their capabilities. It’s difficult for an administrator to look at brief summaries of each employee in a case like this, so periodic meetings with the entire department helps keep the administrator in touch with the case management team’s strengths and weaknesses.
What will you do with an EMPA?
As you can see, there are a number of career paths open to you with an EMPA; the only limit is your ambition. So whether you want to work in the public or private sector, if you want a career in administration, it’s worth investigating your study opportunities.
