Master of Social Policy (706AA) // Course structure

Course structure

Students are required to complete the program requirements/structure from the year that they commenced their program.  All compulsory, core and capstone subjects must be completed to be eligible to graduate from the program.

200 point program

Duration: 2 years full-time / up to 4 years part-time

Coursework Only Option

• Four compulsory subjects (50 points)
• elective subjects (125 points)
• capstone subjects (25 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

• Four compulsory subjects (50 points)
• POLS40013 Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points)
• minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (37.5 points total)
• elective subjects (100 points)

150 point program

Duration: 1.5 years full-time / up to 3 years part-time

Coursework Only Option

• four compulsory subjects (50 points)
• elective subjects (75 points)
• capstone subjects (25 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

• four compulsory subjects (50 points)
• POLS40013 Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points)
• minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (37.5 points total)
• elective subjects (50 points)

100 point program

Duration: 1 year full-time / up to 2 years part-time

Coursework Only Option:

• four compulsory subjects (50 points)
• elective subjects (25 points)
• capstone subjects (25 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option:

• four compulsory subjects (50 points)
• POLS40013 Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points)
• minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (37.5 points total)

Capstone Requirements:

Capstone subject options must be completed in the final hundred points of the program.  All students are required to complete one Capstone subject option (at least 25 points).  This requirement cannot be waived or replaced in any circumstances:

Capstone Stream 1: 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 2: SOCI90013 Social Policy Internship (25 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in social policy practice to solve problems that arise in professional contexts and develop an integrated understanding of research and practice.

Capstone Stream 3: SOCI90023 Project-based Policy Analysis (25 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to work in a team-based project where knowledge and skills are applied to a practical project under the supervision of an academic and practitioner expert.

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.

Last updated: 22 March 2025