Executive Master of Public Management

The School of Public Policy offers professional programs that develop innovative leaders in the art of policy and governance, advance the frontiers of applied interdisciplinary knowledge, and promote local, national and global public good. The curriculums are designed to develop the skills and techniques used by professionals to implement policies, projects, and programs that resolve important societal problems.

Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with faculty and the academic program director to ensure that educational goals and career learning and development goals are met. Students with specific academic questions may contact Thomas Kennedy, Director, Office of Executive Programs, via email: tkennedy@umd.edu.

Overview

The Executive Master of Public Management, Online (EMPM) is a 30-credit, 10-course accelerated degree that grows understanding of the financial, managerial, and ethical dimensions of leading government and public service organizations.

• Learn various leadership and management approaches, in theory and in practice, and develop analytic and critical thinking skills that allow professionals to better serve the public while advancing their careers. 
• Gain a deeper understanding of the frameworks and tools that support effective decision-making, and explore the organizational and management issues that leaders face. 
• Designed for professionals with at least five years of policy and/or management experience, the program empowers those already leading and managing in organizations to be effective, responsible and impactful leaders of change.
• Provides advanced education and training to mid-career professionals from public agencies at the national and state level, international agencies and organizations, NGOs, and governments from around the world.
• Can be completed in 15 months of continuous full-time enrollment. Part-time enrollment is welcome. See Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status.

Program Highlights

• Establish professional connections within a diverse and motivated group of peers, as you move through the program as a cohort.
• Learn from faculty who are both scholars and practitioners, bringing their real-world experiences and connections from federal, state and municipal government into the classroom.
• Learn from a curriculum designed to focus on decision making, management and leadership skills. 

Courses

Below is a listing of all program courses. For a detailed course description that includes pre-requisites or co-requisites, see The Graduate School Catalog, Course Listing as follows: PLCY Course Descriptions.

Registration Overview

• See the sample plan of study, below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director. 
• Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary semester to semester. Students should note if a course has a pre-requisite or co-requisite. 
• Specific class meeting information (days and time) is posted on UMD’s interactive web service services, Testudo. Once on that site, select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year. Courses are listed by academic unit. 
• The program uses specific section codes for registration which are listed on the sample plan of study. 

Full-time Sample Plan

Part-time Sample Plan

Overall 

• Features 100% online instruction wherein all courses are held online.
• Uses the semester academic calendar with classes held in the fall and spring semester (16 weeks each).
• Classes are held weekday evenings (e.g., after 5:00 p.m.) to accommodate the working professional’s schedule
• Instruction provided by University of Maryland faculty and professionals in the field.

Online Learning 

• Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content. 
• Featuring convenience and flexibility, online instruction permits asynchronous or synchronous participation.
• Lectures are video archived. Students who are unable to attend in real time can review the session through asynchronous participation.

Upon successful completion, graduates will have mastered the following competencies:

• Demonstrate intellectual competence in understanding and applying the principles and practices of public administration.
• Understand the concepts of managerial ethics and administrative law in managing public organizations.
• Use the tools and concepts related to finance, budgeting, economics, and statistical analysis to address issues related to the administration of public organizations.
• Demonstrate how public administration concepts will complement their post-graduate studies and professional work.