Executive Master of Public Administration (MC-EMPA)

The Executive Master of Public Administration is a two-year postgraduate qualification developed and delivered by the Australia and New Zealand School of Government exclusively for high-performing public sector managers and leaders.

The EMPA program is specifically designed to incorporate the range of skills required of an exceptional leader and manager, tailored to the unique and broad context of the public purpose sector. By centring on the concept of leading and managing for public value, the EMPA takes into account the nature of working in government in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand and the challenges faced by leaders around policy, integrity, economics, regulation and public problem solving within a democratic society.

Informed by current and former public sector leaders, a significant focus of the degree’s curriculum centres on learning from practice, success and failures, as well as drawing on leading academic theories, concepts and the underpinnings of what determines best practice. In this way, ANZSOG's EMPA bridges the gap between academic theory and the world of practice, allowing students to benefit from both leading academic research and the pragmatic realities of working with the complexity of governance and delivering public value.

The program’s delivery mode allows for the time and space so that students can become reflective practitioners. Following periods of intensive study, students return to their professional roles refreshed and energised having delved deep into scholarly material as well as learning from experienced and expert practitioners. The program aims to stimulate conceptual thinking and build applied management and leadership skills.

Attention is drawn to the student's experience within the public sector and linking this to conceptual and analytical frames that help guide the analysis of applied public policy problems. Learning is interactive and student-led. ANZSOG also draws on its broader network of international partners to enhance the experience for students, including subject delivery by its world leading international faculty.

Note: Direct applications to the University of Melbourne are not accepted into this program. Students are nominated and funded by participating government agencies in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand via ANZSOG.