Executive Master of Public Administration & Executive Master of International Relations

Preparing global leaders for a global community

Maxwell's executive degree programs help mid-career professionals fill gaps in their skills or knowledge, prepare for future management and policy challenges, deepen their understanding of critical global issues, or refocus their career plans.

Our programs are flexible by design, allowing students to complete the degree as their schedules allow, on a full-time or part-time basis. We offer programs in Syracuse, Washington, DC, and online.

Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA)Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs- Syracuse University

Our EMPA program helps mid-career public service professionals sharpen their leadership skills to advance their careers.

The Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) prepares public service managers to take the next step in leading organizations across the public, nonprofit, NGO, and private sectors. Accomplished midcareer professionals with seven years or more of experience seek our program to fill gaps in their skills or knowledge, prepare for future management and policy challenges, or refocus their career plans.

Flexible and individualized on-campus program

The 30-credit, on-campus EMPA can be completed full-time in one calendar year, or on a part-time basis according to the schedule and career demands of the student. The flexible master’s format, with three core courses and seven electives, allows the midcareer student to tailor the curriculum to their professional and organizational needs. Students can select up to four graduate courses from other departments within Maxwell or even other schools at Syracuse University.

Diverse students and perspectives

The degree attracts midcareer professionals from around the globe. International students make up about half of our students and come from 20 different countries, contributing to an exciting and unique learning environment.

Coursework invites students to examine issues from comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Areas of study

Students choose an area of study depending on your career goals.

Environmental Policy and Administration
International and National Security Policy
International Development
Public and Nonprofit Management
Social Policy
State and Local Government Financial Analysis and Management
Technology and Information Management

Specialized focus through certificates of advanced study

Along with the EMPA degree, on-campus students may enhance their learning experience by concurrently earning a 12-credit Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in a specialized field. Certificates include:

Conflict Resolution
E-Government Management and Leadership
Environmental Decision-making*
Health Services Management and Policy
The leadership of International and Non-governmental Organizations
Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Public Administration
Public Infrastructure Management and Leadership*
Security Studies
* 15-credit CAS

Executive Master of International Relations (EMIR)
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs- Syracuse University

The Executive Master of International Relations (EMIR) focuses on the global arena and prepares professionals with seven or more years of experience for the next step in their careers and for the complex challenges and opportunities facing global executives.

The interdisciplinary program attracts diverse professionals from NGOs, government ministries, federal agencies, and a variety of nonprofit and private sector organizations. Students may complete the 30-credit EMIR degree program full-time in one calendar year, or on a part-time basis to fit their schedule and career demands. As part of the degree, students choose a career track, regional focus, and elective course options.

Career Track

The degree attracts professionals who wish to gain experience in one of six career tracks:

Foreign Policy
Global Development Policy
Global Markets
Global Security
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Transnational Organizations and Leadership.

Regional Focus

Additionally, a regional focus in one of five geographic regions is required:
Africa
Asia
Europe
Latin America
The Middle East

Specialized focus through certificates of advanced study

Along with the EMIR degree, students on campus may enhance their learning experience by concurrently earning a 12-credit Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in a specialized field. Certificates include:

Conflict Resolution
E-Government Management and Leadership
Environmental Decision-making*
Health Services Management and Policy
The leadership of International and Non-governmental Organizations
Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Public Administration
Public Infrastructure Management and Leadership*
Security Studies
* 15-credit CAS

Executive Master of International Relations in Washington, D.C. (EMIR in DC)
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs- Syracuse University

The first executive degree in international relations offered by a major research university in cooperation with a leading global think tank

The Executive Master of International Relations in Washington, D.C. (EMIR in DC), offered in cooperation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), is intended for mid-career professionals who are looking to advance their career and deepen their understanding of critical global issues.

Leveraging the strengths of both the Maxwell School and CSIS, this unique master's program is an unparalleled opportunity to learn from scholars at a preeminent international policy think tank while earning a degree from a top-ranked school for graduate education in public affairs.

Flexible format designed for busy professionals

Our EMIR in DC program offers mid-career students a 30-credit (10-course) curriculum that can be completed part-time in as few as 18 months. Our program accommodates demanding schedules by offering evening seminars and short, intensive sessions.

The EMIR in DC program integrates core courses with career track requirements, regionally focused seminars, and electives to provide a solid, yet dynamic and flexible foundation, to furnish aspiring leaders with the skills and global perspective needed for career advancement.

Skill and experience-based curriculum

Our courses combine practical knowledge, case studies, and simulations with academic research and professional skill-building.

Combining academic excellence and real-world experience

Beyond offering a rigorous academic foundation, the program provides opportunities to work alongside leading policy experts, to contribute personal research and policy recommendations, and to receive professional training targeted at advancement in government, business, and non-profit sectors.

Given the complexity of today's global environment, it is more important than ever to have an interdisciplinary understanding of the challenges facing the international community. This program allows professionals to grasp this information while applying innovative thinking to real-world scenarios.

Distinguished faculty and scholars for a cross-sector education

Students work closely with Syracuse- and Washington-based Maxwell faculty, as well as with leading scholars and fellows from CSIS. This combination of learning from academics at a research-intensive university and from practitioner-scholars who have worked at high levels in government, nonprofit, and private sectors, provides a rich framework that bridges theory and practice and is specifically tailored to the needs and goals of the midcareer student.

Unparalleled learning environment

Our EMIR in DC program offers a unique laboratory to both observe and study international relations first-hand. CSIS is renowned for informing decision makers and shaping critical foreign policy debates around the globe.

The Center hosts more than 500 public events annually, welcoming the world’s leaders and top minds in international security, including foreign cabinet ministers, heads of state, civil society representatives, journalists, and business executives.

Students have the opportunity to integrate further into life at CSIS through an immersive capstone project. The capstone gives students the chance to complete a substantive policy research project embedded in one of the thematic or regional programs at CSIS. As part of this experience, students take workshops designed to hone professional skills and to network with senior-level practitioners and policymakers.