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Master of Public Policy and Management (344AB)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2020 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
- Overview
- Entry and participation requirements
- Attributes, outcomes and skills
- Course structure
- Majors, minors and specialisations
- Further study
Contact
Coordinator
Erik Baekkeskov(Semester 1) and Scott Brenton(Semester 2)
Currently enrolled students:
- Contact Stop 1
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
Future students:
- Further information: https://graduate.arts.unimelb.edu.au/
- Contact: 'Make an enquiry' at https://graduate.arts.unimelb.edu.au/study/degrees/master-of-public-policy-and-management/overview
Overview
Award title | Master of Public Policy and Management |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2020 — Parkville |
CRICOS code | 020385A |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
AQF level | 9 |
Credit points | 200 credit points |
Duration | 24 months full-time or 48 months part-time |
The Master of Public Policy and Management is one of the oldest graduate programs in this field in Australia, with the University of Melbourne first bridging the needs of the profession and the emerging discipline almost 90 years ago. It has remained at the forefront of the discipline through consistent innovation in subject delivery and content and is notably one of the few graduate degrees in the country to combine expert training in public policy analysis and executive leadership and management. The course is structured around working professionals (both current and aspiring) and therefore emphasises flexibility and tailored options. While the focus is on the public sector, the private and community sectors are also examined in order to prepare graduates for the widest possible range of careers both in Australia and internationally. This international dimension is further emphasised by the diversity of researchers and practitioners teaching into the program and the unique subject offerings.
Links to further information
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- an undergraduate degree in any discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent.
Meeting this requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- prior academic performance; and
- relevance of previous studies; and, if relevant
- the professional experience.
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.
Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit:
- An undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent; or
- An undergraduate degree in any discipline with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent, and at least one year of documented, relevant work experience
Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:
- an honours degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent; or
- an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent, and two years of documented, relevant work experience.
Applicants seeking credit for relevant work experience must document their experience with a brief curriculum vitae detailing the experience, contact details of two referees who can confirm the authenticity and nature of the experience claimed, and a covering letter that explains how the experience is relevant to the program and prepares them for it.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005) and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF127). For the purposes of considering requests for reasonable adjustments, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the overview, attributes, outcomes and skills of this entry. Further details about how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Master of Public Policy and Management should be able to:
- Identify, compare, explain and translate major traditions, trends, challenges and policy responses and reforms in contemporary political debates, governance systems, processes of public policy making and public sector management with a nuanced appreciation of the expectations and roles of key actors and institutions in sub-national, national, regional and international contexts
- Critically select and employ appropriate research methods and techniques based on rigorous analysis, careful consideration of a range of data sources and cogent methodological frameworks along with an appreciation of emerging and innovative professional practices to establish strong evidentiary foundations
- Demonstrate mastery of the latest scholarship with confidence to meticulously and analytically discern and appraise contextual factors that could influence or impact desired policy or organisational outcomes
- Confidently and assuredly work with complexity in terms of information and policy and managerial environments to creatively and expertly distinguish between different dilemmas and opportunities and to tailor strategies to empower a range of key actors, such as public managers and service users or clients, to negotiate change and to effectively resolve or mitigate conflict
- Engage in more abstract or esoteric discussions and be able to summarise, synthesise and meaningfully advise key policy community stakeholders correctly using both specialist and non-specialist language
- Clearly and persuasively communicate to diverse audiences ranging from high-level government delegations to local communities with an awareness of cultural norms and sensitivities as well as agility to shift from shorter briefings to longer, detailed presentations
- Design and critique specialised policy and management documents, such as management strategies, budget statements, comprehensive lobbying strategies and case studies
- Exhibit in-depth technical understandings of policy and service design, implementation and delivery principles and challenges, acknowledging different impacts on and needs of less powerful users and communities
- Propose improvements to accountability and integrity systems by drawing upon best practice and being cognisant of the importance of upholding at times distinctive public sector ethics and values
- Execute a substantial governance, public policy or public management research project both independently and within groups, through capstone subjects, a thesis or through an internship
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete the Master of Public Policy and Management should have:
- in-depth knowledge of the disciplines of political science and policy and administration, and the ability to examine governance, policy and public sector reform issues from other disciplinary perspectives.
- critical and strong reasoning skills, and creativity in applying theory and research methods to complex practical problems across diverse contexts.
- effective oral and written communication skills.
- an advanced appreciation of the Asian and Pacific regions, including Indigenous knowledge, cultures and values and sustainable futures.
- autonomy, self-motivation, self-direction and outstanding organisational skills to set goals and manage time and priorities.
- skills in self-assessment, self-awareness, reflective and lifelong learning, with an overriding commitment to personal and professional integrity.
Graduate attributes
Academic Distinction
- An extensive knowledge of the various disciplinary foundations of public policy making and their relationship to a range of contemporary policy environments and challenges;
- The ability to use these foundations and frameworks to examine policy challenges and develop and manage policy solutions in a pragmatic yet innovative way;
- The strategic use of evidence-based research and analysis to develop and articulate a clear case for policy change and/or innovation.
Active Citizenship
- An ability to use public policy making in strategic ways to address and lead on challenging and complex policy problems and issues;
- An understanding of the importance of collaboration in effective public policy making and the capacity to work with others to develop compelling policy solutions.
Integrity and Self-Awareness
- The ability of think and act independently while being open to and drawing upon alternative views and frameworks;
- A strong commitment to ethical, evidence-based thinking and solutions, as well as mutual trust and respect for those working with you to achieve collaborative solutions;
- An understanding that contemporary public policy problem solving requires a persistent and passionate commitment to challenge existing frameworks and develop new knowledge.
Course structure
200 point program
Duration: 2 years full-time/up to 4 years part-time
- four compulsory subjects (100 points)
- two core subjects (25 points)
and
Coursework Option
- elective subjects (75 points)
or
Minor Thesis Option
- minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (37.5 points total)
- POLS40013 Social Sciences Research Seminar (12.5 points)
- elective subjects (25 points)
150 point program
Duration: 1.5 years full-time/up to 3 years part-time.
- three compulsory subjects (75 points)
and
Coursework Option
- elective subjects (75 points)
or
Minor Thesis Option
- minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (37.5 points total)
- POLS40013 Social Sciences Research Seminar (12.5 points)
- elective subjects (25 points)
100 point program
Duration: 1 year full-time/up to 2 years part-time.
- two compulsory subjects (50 points)
and
Coursework Option
- elective subjects (50 points)
or
Minor Thesis Option
- minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (37.5 points total)
- POLS40013 Social Sciences Research Seminar (12.5 points)
Capstone Requirement
All students are required to meet the Capstone Requirement for the program. There are 5 Capstone streams offered in this course which satisfy the capstone requirements (some of these capstone streams have to be taken as compulsory subjects, while others can be taken in addition to these as elective subjects):
Capstone Stream 1: PPMN90039 Executive Internship
Purpose: An opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in policy making to solve problems that arise in professional contexts and develop an integrated understanding of research and practice
Capstone Stream 2: PPMN90049 Public/Social Policy Thesis Part 1 and PPMN90050 Public/Social Policy Thesis Part 2 (37.5 points total)
Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills to address a research question; Pathway to the PhD
Capstone Stream 3: PPMN90006 Executive Leadership and Management
Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills in public management to a practical management problem through a sustained piece of applied scholarship
Capstone Stream 4: PPMN90007 Public Policy Analysis
Purpose: An opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in policy design to a practical policy problem through a sustained piece of applied scholarship
Capstone Stream 5: PPMN90010 Professional Practice in Policy Research
Purpose: An opportunity to apply and integrate policy knowledge and research skills to solve problems that arise in political and public sector contexts through a sustained piece of scholarship.
External Subject Rule
Student may undertake an external subject (not listed within the program structure) with the permission of the program and subject coordinator. All external subject requests must be for the elective subject requirement, not as a compulsory, core or capstone subject. The maximum external subjects allowed are as follows:
- 200 point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (2 years): maximum 25 points.
- 150 point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (1.5 years): maximum 12.5 points.
- 100* point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (1 year): 12.5 points
- 50*^ point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (0.5 years): 0 points.
* GC-ARTS, GD-ARTS, GCA-ARTS and GDA-ARTS students are not normally granted permission to undertake external subjects towards their degree.
^ Exception: Students admitted to 50 point programs may apply to take LING90002, Presenting Academic Discourse, as an external subject.
Please note that advanced standing contributes to a student’s remaining points undertaken at University of Melbourne, and may affect how many points the student can undertake outside the enrolled program.
For policies that govern this degree, see the Courses, Subjects, Awards and Programs Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Library. Students also should also refer to information in the Enrolment and Timetabling Policy.
Majors, minors & specialisations
Name | Credit Points |
---|---|
200pt Program | 200 |
150pt Program | 150 |
100pt Program | 100 |
Further study
Students who complete the thesis option may be eligible for entry into the PhD.
Last updated: 28 March 2024