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Public Administration Thesis (PADM90004)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)

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The thesis in Public Administration is a capstone option in the Master of Public Administration. The Melbourne MPA is an interdisciplinary, globally-focused program for managers that work within or with government. This subject provides students with an opportunity to undertake a program of independent research from which they produce a thesis of 10,000 words. The subject is undertaken in one semester and students will be supervised by a member of academic staff. All students intending to take this subject are required to consult with the MPA Director, prior to enrolment, and complete the thesis application process.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students shoud be able to:



  • demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied;
  • show advanced skills of analysis pertinent to the subject;
  • show a detailed sense of the theoretical debates in the subject area;
  • demonstrate an ability to undertake critical independent research; and
  • show a good capacity to communicate research in written form.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • semonstrate a critical understanding of the operation of governments in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and across the world, and an ability to situate an area of specialisation within this context;
  • show a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the interconnectedness and complexity of the fields of public management and administration, and a specialist understanding of a particular topic in the field;
  • show a sound understanding of politics, economics, law and sciences, as they contribute to theoretical debates in the field of public management;
  • demonstrate flexible communication skills with a highly attuned sensitivity to a diverse audience, and to the issues specific to cross-cultural communication;and
  • conceptualise, plan and execute a substantial, independent, research-based project in the form of a minor thesis, demonstrating high-level skills in interdisciplinary and comparative research, analysis and critique, underpinned by a thorough understanding of academic protocol and presentation.

Last updated: 3 November 2022