Government Administration (Exec), MPA
Individualized Concentration
Students have the option to design an individualized concentration if none of the standard concentrations align with their interests. An individualized concentration consists of two elective courses and a capstone project tailored to the student’s interests. Individualized concentration proposals will be reviewed and approved by the Fels Academic Committee. Any Fels Exec MPA students who do not select one of the standard concentrations must have an individualized concentration.
Curriculum
Students who do not select one of the five standard concentrations will be automatically defaulted into an individualized concentration. An individualized concentration allows students to take any combination of graduate-level elective courses and complete any capstone project tailored to the student’s interests.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GAFL 6120 | Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6222 | Economic Principles of Public Policy | 1 |
| GAFL 6330 | Executive Leadership | 1 |
| GAFL 6410 | Program Evaluation & Data Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6520 | Financial Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 1 |
| GAFL 7330 | Public Management (MPA Executive Section) | 1 |
| GAFL 7980 | MPA Capstone I | 0 |
| GAFL 7990 | MPA Capstone II | 1 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Any 3 graduate level courses | 3 | |
| Total Course Units | 10 | |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Political Advocacy Concentration
The Political Advocacy concentration allows EMPA students to deepen their understanding of government relations and the policy process, develop their communication skills, and learn how to engage diverse stakeholders to achieve change. This concentration is ideal for students seeking a role as a lobbyist, elected official, community organizer, legislative staffer, communications specialist, and other public sector and advocacy-related roles.
Curriculum
The Political Advocacy concentration requires students to fulfill all of the requirements for the Executive Master of Public Administration degree. Additionally, as part of those requirements, the student must complete two elective courses in the Political Advocacy concentration area and complete a capstone project related to Political Advocacy in some form.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GAFL 6120 | Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6222 | Economic Principles of Public Policy | 1 |
| GAFL 6330 | Executive Leadership | 1 |
| GAFL 6410 | Program Evaluation & Data Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6520 | Financial Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 1 |
| GAFL 7330 | Public Management (MPA Executive Section) | 1 |
| GAFL 7980 | MPA Capstone I | 0 |
| GAFL 7990 | MPA Capstone II | 1 |
| Political Advocacy Concentration | ||
| GAFL 5510 | Government Relations | 1 |
| Select 1 CU with GAFL Political Advocacy Concentration attribute (BMFP) | 1 | |
| One other graduate level elective course | 1 | |
| Capstone project related to Political Advocacy | ||
| Total Course Units | 10 | |
- 1
Or another pre-approved graduate course related to political advocacy, lobbying or campaigning.
- 2
Students may count up to one non-Fels course towards the concentration as long as the course has been pre-approved by the Fels Academic Committee.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Domestic Policy Concentration
The Domestic Policy Concentration equips EMPA students with the skills they need to analyze and assess policy in the U.S. context. Students completing this concentration will be able to analyze and evaluate policies with economic, social, and political lenses, synthesize complex information for public decision-makers, and make evidence-based policy recommendations.
Curriculum
The Domestic Policy concentration requires students to fulfill all of the requirements for the Executive Master of Public Administration degree. Additionally, as part of those requirements, the student must complete two elective courses in the Domestic Policy concentration area AND complete a capstone project on a domestic affairs policy topic.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GAFL 6120 | Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6222 | Economic Principles of Public Policy | 1 |
| GAFL 6330 | Executive Leadership | 1 |
| GAFL 6410 | Program Evaluation & Data Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6520 | Financial Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 1 |
| GAFL 7330 | Public Management (MPA Executive Section) | 1 |
| GAFL 7980 | MPA Capstone I | 0 |
| GAFL 7990 | MPA Capstone II | 1 |
| Domestic Policy Concentration | ||
| Select 2 CU with GAFL Domestic Policy Concentration attribute (BMFD) 1,2 | 2 | |
| One other graduate level course | 1 | |
| Capstone project related to Domestic (US) Policy | ||
| Total Course Units | 10 | |
- 1
Or another pre-approved graduate-level course related to domestic policy
- 2
Students may count up to one non-Fels course towards the concentration as long as the course has been pre-approved by the Fels Academic Committee.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Non-Profit Management Concentration
The Non-profit Management Concentration equips EMPA students with the skills they need to lead and manage a non-profit organization. Students completing this concentration will be well-prepared for a career as an Executive Director or other senior leadership roles in a non-profit organization.
Curriculum
The Non-Profit Management concentration requires students to fulfill all of the requirements for the Executive Master of Public Administration degree. Additionally, as part of those requirements, the student must complete two elective courses in the Non-profit management concentration area AND complete a capstone project for a non-profit organization.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GAFL 6120 | Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6222 | Economic Principles of Public Policy | 1 |
| GAFL 6410 | Program Evaluation & Data Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6330 | Executive Leadership | 1 |
| GAFL 6520 | Financial Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 1 |
| GAFL 7330 | Public Management (MPA Executive Section) | 1 |
| GAFL 7980 | MPA Capstone I | 0 |
| GAFL 7990 | MPA Capstone II | 1 |
| Non-Profit Management Concentration | ||
| GAFL 5490 | Leading Nonprofits | 1 |
| Select 1 CU with GAFL Non-Profit Management Concentration attribute (BMFN) 1,2 | 1 | |
| One other graduate level elective course | 1 | |
| Capstone project related to Non-Profit Leadership | ||
| Total Course Units | 10 | |
- 1
Or another pre-approved graduate-level course related to non-profit leadership such as those in the Social Policy and Practice Non-profit Leadership Program
- 2
Students may count up to one non-Fels course towards the concentration as long as the course has been pre-approved by the Fels Academic Committee.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
International Affairs Concentration
The International Affairs Concentration equips EMPA students with the skills they need to engage in international relations work and public sector administration in a global context. Students develop an understanding of the “international order” and how it affects trade, politics, and security, the ability to synthesize primary source texts, data, and other research to inform policy recommendations on contemporary international policy issues, and strong written and oral communication skills.
Curriculum
The International Affairs concentration requires students to fulfill all of the requirements for the Executive Master of Public Administration degree. Additionally, as part of those requirements, the student must complete two elective courses in the International Affairs concentration area AND complete a capstone project for an embassy, international agency, non-US government department/office, or global NGO or on an international affairs topic.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GAFL 6120 | Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6222 | Economic Principles of Public Policy | 1 |
| GAFL 6330 | Executive Leadership | 1 |
| GAFL 6410 | Program Evaluation & Data Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6520 | Financial Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 1 |
| GAFL 7330 | Public Management (MPA Executive Section) | 1 |
| GAFL 7980 | MPA Capstone I | 0 |
| GAFL 7990 | MPA Capstone II | 1 |
| International Affairs Concentration | ||
| GAFL 5350 | International Policy and Security Seminar 1 | 1 |
| Select 1 CU with GAFL International Affairs Concentration attribute (BMFI) 2,3 | 1 | |
| One other graduate level course | 1 | |
| Capstone project related to International Affairs | ||
| Total Course Units | 10 | |
- 1
Students may request permission to substitute GAFL 5220 or GAFL 5320 as the required concentration course.
- 2
Or another pre-approved graduate-level course related to international policy or affairs
- 3
Students may count up to one non-Fels course towards the concentration as long as the course has been pre-approved by the Fels Academic Committee.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Data Analytics Concentration
The Data Analytics concentration allows EMPA students to develop their skills in data gathering, data analysis, data visualization, and data presentation to make evidence-based decisions in the public sector.
Curriculum
The Data Analytics concentration requires students to fulfill all of the requirements for the Executive Master of Public Administration degree. Additionally, as part of those requirements, the student must complete two elective courses in the Data Analytics concentration area AND complete a capstone project involving data analysis.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GAFL 6120 | Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6222 | Economic Principles of Public Policy | 1 |
| GAFL 6330 | Executive Leadership | 1 |
| GAFL 6410 | Program Evaluation & Data Analysis | 1 |
| GAFL 6520 | Financial Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 1 |
| GAFL 7330 | Public Management (MPA Executive Section) | 1 |
| GAFL 7980 | MPA Capstone I | 0 |
| GAFL 7990 | MPA Capstone II | 1 |
| Data Analytics Concentration | ||
| GAFL 5900 | Use and Misuse of Data for Policy Challenges | 1 |
| Select 1 CU with GAFL Data Analytics Concentration attribute (BMFA) 1,2 | 1 | |
| One other graduate level course | 1 | |
| Capstone project related to Data Analytics | ||
| Total Course Units | 10 | |
- 1
Or another pre-approved graduate-level course related to data science or analytics
- 2
Students may count up to one non-Fels course towards the concentration as long as the course has been pre-approved by the Fels Academic Committee.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.