Executive Master of Public Administration

A unique forum for exchange, learning and professional development

The Hertie School’s Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) is a flexible, fully accredited executive master’s programme in English equipping participants across all sectors with cutting-edge knowledge and tools to lead teams and organizations, shape decision-making and manage change in the workplace.

Mid-career professionals in the public sector, the business world or civil society are confronted with similar challenges. The Executive MPA equips them with innovative ideas to lead people, shape decisions or change the institutions they work for.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

Executive MPA participants can design their studies according to their individual needs and interests. A core set of modern theories of governance and management combined with a broad choice of practice-oriented electives and hands-on training accommodate the unique experiences each participant brings to the programme.

Students choose one of three specializations:

• Leadership and management
• Economics, finances, methods
• Intersectoral management

Participants also complete skills courses in negotiation, conflict management, consulting or motivating and leading teams. They gain additional insights in a 4-day workshop in Brussels or London.

Berlin – vibrant hub of European public dialogue

Germany’s capital is a major metropolis that offers a wealth of opportunities for learning and leisure. Whether you are moving to Berlin or just commuting to the city for the block courses, you have the opportunity to explore one of Europe’s most exciting cultural, historical and political centers.

Exchange programmes with leading universities

Cooperations with Copenhagen Business School, ESCP Europe, and the University of Bern enable Executive MPA students to attend block courses across Europe and earn credits towards their degree.

Career services and student support

Career services offer individual consultation on career development, whether you wish to acquire additional expertise for your current position, advance professionally in your organization, or switch to a new sector. A career programme of several workshops supports students in preparing the next step in their career. High-ranking experts share their experiences within the ‘professional perspectives’ lecture series. Students also have access to an online platform that connects all Hertie School alumni and features a first-hand job database.

Both students and alumni, benefit from all offers of the Career Development team. Our Student Affairs team supports students in getting settled at the Hertie School and in Berlin. They assist admitted students with issues such as student loans, health insurance, visa, and residency registration, as well as housing.

Extensive alumni network

The Alumni Network of the Hertie School of Governance currently comprises over 3,000 professionals from 95 countries. The network is growing rapidly and has become one of the biggest assets of the Hertie School. Our Alumni Affairs team works hard to make sure alumni remain active members of the Hertie School community. An exclusive online alumni network connects alumni of all programmes and from all over the world. The annual Alumni Reunion strengthens the alumni network and its relationship with faculty, students, and staff.

Apply today

The Executive MPA programme is aimed at highly motivated professionals with proven leadership potential or experience. Many courses can also be booked individually or in combination as a certificate. The priority deadline for applications to be considered for the Hertie School’s scholarship programme is 1 May. As only a small cohort of students is accepted per year and scholarship funds are limited, early application is strongly recommended. Applications will be accepted until 15 August.

About the Hertie School of Governance

The Hertie School of Governance is an international teaching and research center of excellence located in vibrant and cosmopolitan Berlin. Exceptional teaching, research, and outreach on international and intersectoral governance challenges are the school’s hallmark.

Our motto is Understand today. Shape tomorrow. We attract a highly talented student body from diverse national and disciplinary backgrounds—united by a desire to make a difference and to bring about a better future. We offer them a study environment characterized by close interaction with faculty, lively public debates, and engagement with current policy developments. In addition, our students have access to the School’s global network that includes the London School of Economics and Political Science, Sciences Po in Paris, Columbia University in New York and many other excellent public policy schools worldwide.

As an ambassador of good governance and public stewardship, the Hertie School has become a hub for top scholars and researchers, as well as experts and representatives from the spheres of politics, business and civil society who contribute to events at the school. Our students actively contribute to these debates and regularly spearhead their own initiatives to foster the public good.