Public Service and Ethics
Graduate Programs
Public Administration (MPA)
In addition to key core classes, students tailor their program of study according to their interests and goals by selecting a public sector emphasis (nonprofit, local government, or state and federal government) and going deeper into a chosen skill set. 58 credits are required for graduation.
Public Administration - Executive Program (MPA)
The EMPA is a 3-year, 42-credit hour, general degree and does not offer specialization in functional areas. Students develop practical skills to successfully navigate their current work environments and advance their careers.
The curriculum is like that of the full-time MPA program but is unique in reflecting the work and management experience of its students. Courses are offered in the evening, one night a week for three years at the BYU Salt Lake Center.
Administered through the George W. Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics the Master of Public Administration Program aspires to lift the world through Christlike leadership in public service. We develop public service leaders of faith, intellect, integrity, and charity. Our programs provide students with the essential skills to serve others in the public and nonprofit sectors.
Leadership in this context provides unique opportunities for service to others. The faculty and students of the Romney Institute are dedicated to the philosophy that students should develop excellence in both knowledge and management skills, based on a solid ethical foundation. The success of this philosophy is demonstrated by the wide variety of leadership positions now held by alumni throughout the world in state and local governments, federal agencies, research organizations, business firms, and diverse nonprofit organizations.
Graduates are employed in a variety of careers, such as city managers, personnel directors, policy analysts, nonprofit program directors, performance auditors, and finance directors.
Today the public sector is called on to assist in areas that were traditionally the sole domain of profit organizations. Never before has there been a greater need for professionally trained public managers, and never before has there been greater opportunity for dedicated and qualified public managers to provide leadership in shaping the course of human affairs through public institutions and programs.
Romney Institute offers two programs leading to the MPA degree: full-time and executive. Both are accredited by NASPAA - The Global Standard in Public Service Education. The full-time program requires two years; approximately fifty students are admitted each year. The executive program is taught one night a week for three years; approximately fifty students are admitted each year.
Director: Robert Christensen
Graduate Coordinator: David Matkin
Resources & Opportunity
The N. Eldon Tanner Building. The Tanner Building, which houses the BYU Marriott School of Business, is one of the finest facilities of its kind. The original building, with a dramatic seven-story atrium, was updated with a four-story addition. The addition boasts thirty-nine team study rooms, six large case rooms, the Blue Line Deli, and adds 76,000 square feet to the existing building.
Technical skills, real-world experience, and a global network—BYU Marriott School of Business students graduate with all three, preparing them to become leaders in an increasingly competitive workforce.
Unique Environment
The BYU Marriott School of Business strives to promote a rigorous academic experience in a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. Students gain the skills and abilities to “become outstanding leaders capable of dealing with change in a competitive global environment” in a setting that embraces the conduct and standards of Jesus Christ’s teachings.
The Marriott School of Business supports Brigham Young University’s mission to “develop students of faith, intellect, and character who have the skills and the desire to continue learning and to serve others throughout their lives.”
In addition to promoting students’ intellectual and spiritual abilities, BYU Marriott places a particular emphasis on the importance of ethical behavior and firmly believes that success in business and in life can and should be achieved with integrity.
Exceptional Opportunities
Classes are not the only places where learning happens. With more than forty BYU Marriott–specific clubs available in addition to the school’s experiential learning initiatives, students are gaining relevant experience to help them prepare for a career.
Student opportunities help add to the traditional educational experience. Professional clubs offer career insights and practical help for getting a job. Field studies and on-campus internships offer real-life involvement in the business world. No matter what their interests are, students can find a way to enrich their education.
Providing career-oriented experiences for our students helps them get placed in some of the world’s top organizations—while doing what they love to do.
Remarkable Network
BYU Marriott students benefit from the support of those who champion the unique mission of the school. This community is made up of dedicated students, alumni, and friends who are working together to become outstanding leaders.
On campus students associate with peers who not only collaborate on class assignments but also assist each other in preparing for and finding internships and career opportunities.
Successful alumni and friends of the school visit the Tanner Building each week to share lessons from their careers and help students prepare for challenges in the future. The school’s National Advisory Council and many program-specific advisory boards are also dedicated to supporting student learning and placement.
The Marriott name and legacy of J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott embody the values of this remarkable network of dedicated leaders.
Facilities
The BYU Marriott School of Business is housed in the N. Eldon Tanner Building, a seven-story, 220,000-square foot, glass and steel building located on the BYU campus in Provo, Utah. The building was expanded in 2008 to accommodate a growing number of students.
In addition to case study rooms, auditoriums, and meeting spaces, the Tanner Building offers students amenities such as the Manhattan-inspired Blue Line Deli, study rooms equipped with technology and natural lighting, and graduate student lounges. Additionally, graduate student parking is available in the nearby parking lots.
Financial Assistance
The Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics utilizes the BYU Marriott's financial aid provisions. Qualified MPA students can receive aid from the following: the BYU Marriott School of Business Scholarship Fund, private scholarship donations, assistantship opportunities, and loan assistance.
Scholarships. BYU Marriott offers scholarships to BYU Marriott students through the college, departments and programs. One application online at marriottschool.byu.edu/aid allows students to apply for all scholarships the BYU Marriott offers.
Assistantships. Research and teaching assistantships are available for qualified second-year students.
Loans. Several loans are available for BYU Marriott students:
- BYU Marriott loans: available to full-time BYU Marriott day students. BYU Marriott loans are handled on an individual basis, dependent on financial need and standing within the participating program.
- BYU short-term loans: available for up to the cost of tuition only.
- Federal Stafford loans: subsidized by the U.S. government. Not available for international students.
More information on and applications for these loans are available from the BYU Financial Aid Office, A-41 ASB, (801) 422-4104.