Program

Public Policy and Governance - 8259

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: Dr Kim Spurway

Campus: Sydney

Career: Postgraduate

Typical Duration: 2 Years  

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 96

Award(s):

Master of Public Policy and Governance

View program information for previous years

Program Description

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR STUDENTS COMMENCING IN 2015 ONWARDS.

The program will offer the 72 units of credit (UOC) stream (1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent) and the 48 UOC stream (1 year full-time or part-time equivalent). The 96 UOC stream (2 years full-time or part-time equivalent) will not be offered in 2015.

Policymaking plays a key role in the management and change of the economy and society. Policy is part of every field of practice, which has led to a rapid growth in the need for policy professionals in government, business, and social and political organisations.

The Master of Public Policy and Governance (MPPG) applies a social science perspective to questions of policy and management in modern organisations. You will acquire a solid grounding in policy analysis, policy evaluation and social research, the necessary skills and knowledge domains required for effective engagement within the policy process. You will be able to specialise in an area of direct relevance to your own interests, which may include Social Policy, International Development Policy or Policy Management.

The program will prepare you for professional practice, by fostering analytical skills and a practical appreciation of the processes of policymaking, the significance of research and evidence in driving policy change and the role of stakeholders in effective policy implementation. The Master of Public Policy and Governance places emphasis on developing the skills and perspectives needed for proficient assessment, evaluation and sensitivity to the effectiveness of policy programs in terms of the impact they have on clients, customers and the public.

Unique to the UNSW Master of Public Policy and Governance is the significant policy and research experience of the program’s teaching staff. At UNSW, the staff involved in the MPPG have had direct experience either as policy makers or policy researchers in government, non-government organisations and, the business sectors. Combined, they have over 20 years direct experience working at high levels inside government, from providing policy support to the Council of Australian Governments through to conceptualising, designing and implementing large scale policy across the states. Staff are also actively involved with non-government organisations in providing effectively policy research and evidence to support their advocacy and lobbying activities. These teaching staff bring their real life experience to the classroom, revealing the relationship between theory, research and everyday practice.

The Master of Public Policy and Governance aims to prepare students for work which requires analytical skills and a practical appreciation of the processes of policy-making and implementation. The program is oriented to the practice of policy, and prospective students are required to have relevant work experience. This may be in the public sector, unions, business or community organisations.

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes

1. Advanced disciplinary knowledge and practices

Graduates will gain advanced disciplinary knowledge in the field of policy studies and an ability to apply this in a range of contexts and environments.

2. Enquiry-based learning

Graduates will understand how new knowledge in the field of policy studies is produced and a deeper knowledge of how policy concepts are applied to analyse practice.

3. Cognitive skills and critical thinking

Graduates will develop advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills.

4. Communication, adaptive and interactional skills

Graduates will be able to communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences, undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply technical skills and be adaptive learners and practitioners.

5. Global outlook

Graduates will gain an awareness of international dimensions of policy work and policy issues.

Career Opportunities

Recent graduates have been employed in a diverse range of sectors, nationally and internationally, as policy makers, policy researchers and policy advocates.

Our graduates have gained employment in the Department of Climate Change; Department of Premier and Cabinet; Alzheimer’s Australia; Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia, Canada; Queensland Department of Mines and Energy; British Virgin Islands Cabinet Office in government, non-government organisations, the business sector and private enterprise.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements are as follows:

For the 1.5 year (72 UOC) stream
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience
  • Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%

For the 1 year (48 UOC) stream
  • Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
  • Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience
Relevant disciplines include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications; Social Research and Policy; Social Work.

Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au.

* It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

Program Structure

  1. Core Courses (30 UOC)
  2. Prescribed Research Courses (6 - 18 UOC)
  3. Prescribed Electives (24 - 36 UOC)
  1. Core Courses (18 UOC)
  2. Prescribed Research Courses (6 - 18 UOC)
  3. Prescribed Electives (12 - 24 UOC)

ARTS5503 Academic Writing (6 UOC)
This course can be taken as an additional course for students wishing to develop their academic writing skills. It will not count towards the program requirements. Click here for further details about the course.

Academic Rules

1.5 year (72 UOC) stream
  1. Enrol in the Master of Public Policy & Governance and complete 72 UOC
  2. Complete 5 Core Courses (30 UOC)
  3. Complete 1 Prescribed Research Course (6 - 18 UOC)
  4. Complete 4-6 Prescribed Electives (24 - 36 UOC)

1 year (48 UOC) stream
  1. Enrol in the Master of Public Policy & Governance and complete 48 UOC
  2. Complete 3 Core Courses (18 UOC)
  3. Complete 1 Prescribed Research Course (6 - 18 UOC)
  4. Complete 2-4 Prescribed Electives (12 - 24 UOC)

Fees

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

Area(s) of Specialisation