The public management emphasis is designed for those working for, or planning to work for, executive agencies of local, state and federal government; private nonprofit organizations; or government relations units of private corporations. It provides basic tools of public management, understanding of structure and processes of public organizations, and the history and context of the field of public administration.

The public policy analysis emphasis offers professional staff of executive and legislative departments of local, state and federal governments the capability to analyze the effects of a broad range of actual and hypothetical government policies. It emphasizes application of economic analysis and other quantitative and qualitative methods to Alaska and national policy issues.

The health administration emphasis prepares students as health administrators in local, state or federal agencies; nonprofit organizations; and private companies that do health-related work. Students develop knowledge and skills necessary for effective public management in the health care area: planning, decision making, and managing people, money and programs.

The criminal justice emphasis provides a theoretical basis for management careers in criminal justice. Students develop knowledge and skills necessary for effective public management: planning, decision making, and managing people, money and programs. These skills are applicable to a wide spectrum of employment areas in law enforcement and the criminal justice system, and they are relevant for students seeking a terminal degree in justice administration.

Students can graduate with a dual emphasis by completing the three electives required for each emphasis. A dual emphasis requires 9 credits beyond those required for a single emphasis. Interested students should speak with their advisor.