Executive Master of Public Administration (E.M.P.A.)

Program Overview

The Executive MPA is offered online for working public service professionals who seek to advance their understanding of administration in public and nonprofit organizations. It is taught by the same faculty who teach on campus. It provides you with a strong theoretical background, as well as learning-by-doing courses that build upon your professional practice. Upon completion, you will be ready to lead and manage organizations; participate in the policy process; analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions; articulate and apply a public service perspective; and communicate and interact productively with a changing workforce and citizenry.   Learn more at  usd.edu/onlineempa.

DELIVERY: Online

Executive Master of Public Administration: Total 30 credit hours

• LDR 501 - Advanced Leadership Theory and Practice 3 cr

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• EMPA 704 - Facilitation and Conflict Management 3 cr

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• Select one course for 3 credit hours:

• EMPA 720 - Executive Public Administration 3 cr
• POLS 721 - Seminar in Public Administration 3 to 6 cr (3 cr hrs required)

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• Select one course for 3 credit hours:

• EMPA 722 - Budgetary and Fiscal Management 3 cr
• POLS 722 - Budgetary and Fiscal Management 3 cr

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• Select one course for 3 credit hours:

• EMPA 723 - Public Personnel Management 3 cr
• POLS 723 - Public Personnel Management 3 cr

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• Select one course for 3 credit hours:

• EMPA 724 - Organization and Management 3 cr
• POLS 724 - Organization and Management 3 cr

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• Select one course for 3 credit hours:

• EMPA 733 - Administrative Law and Government 3 cr
• POLS 733 - Administrative Law and Government 3 cr

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• Select one course for 3 credit hours:

• EMPA 764 - Research in Administrative Practice 3 cr
• MSAS 764 - Research in Administrative Practice 3 cr
• POLS 765 - Research Methods in Public Administration 3 cr

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• Select one course for 3 credit hours:

• EMPA 769 - Administrative Thought and Ethics 3 cr
• POLS 769 - Administrative Thought and Ethics 3 cr

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• Select one course for 3 credit hours:

• EMPA 786 - EMPA Capstone 3 cr
• MSAS 786 - MSAS Capstone 3 cr
• POLS 788 - Research Problems/Projects 3 cr

General Application Requirements

1. Completed application
2. $35 application fee
3. Official transcripts*
4. Letters of recommendation*
5. Statement of purpose
6. Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the  “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Department of Political Science
605-658-6755 | polsci@usd.edu | usd.edu/polsci

Graduate Admissions 
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu  | usd.edu/grad