Public Policy
Coursework
The Master of Public Policy is offered within the Department of Government and International Relations.
The programs in Public Policy are primarily intended for those who serve, or seek to serve, in government though it is also suitable for employment in non-government organisations (NGOs) or corporations. They are designed to develop an understanding of the political, social, economic and organisational processes that shape, change and limit public policy programs. Major areas of interest include policy making and policy analysis, public management and governance, and issues management.
Awards and requirements
Please refer to the course rules in this Handbook for information on the specific admission requirements for different coursework award courses.
Master of Public Policy
Candidates for the Master of Public Policy are required to complete 96 credit points including:
- a minimum of 12 credit points of core units of study
- a minimum of 30 credit points of selective units of study
- a maximum of 48 credit points from elective units of study which can include an optional specialisation (18 credit points from one area of study) as listed in the unit of study table. With the permission of the Degree Coordinator a maximum of 12 credit points can be taken as elective units from units of study outside those listed in the Public Policy subject area of the Postgraduate Unit of Study Table, including units of study offered by other faculties; and
- a minimum of 6 credit points from capstone units of study
Graduate Diploma in Public Policy
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma of Public Policy are required to complete 48 credit points including:
- 12 credit points of core units of study
- 24 credit points from selective units of study
- 12 credit points from elective units of study
Graduate Certificate in Public Policy
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma of Public Policy are required to complete 24 credit points including:
- 12 credit points of core units of study
- 12 credit points from selective units of study
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the Master of Public Policy, a student will be able to:
| No. | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the disciplinary or practice developments in public policy. |
| 2 | Develop detailed understanding of processes of public policy making and implementation, and the different methods of analysis that can be applied to the study of public policy. |
| 3 | Evaluate the capacities, strengths, and limits of theoretical models to explain and understand specific policy processes and issues. |
| 4 | Synthesise competing primary and secondary source materials to articulate the existing state of knowledge in a given topic area. |
| 5 | Analyse and apply creative thought to complex problems in both written and oral assessment tasks, including collaborative group work. |
| 6 | Formulate feasible solutions based upon empirical research to identified policy problems. |
| 7 | Design a research question to address and develop possible solutions to specific public policy problems. |
| 8 | Demonstrate the capacity to approach a topic analytically, creatively, and critically through an independent piece of research in international security studies. |
Reduced volume of learning (RVL)
Candidates who have completed previous study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for a reduction in the requirements in accordance with the table below.
| Level of prior learning | Full-time duration | Credit points to complete | Requirements for completion of degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 7 eg a bachelor degree in the Humanities, Social Sciences or Law | 1.5 years | 72 |
- a minimum of 12 credit points of core units - a minimum of 24 credit points of selective units - a maximum of 30 credit points of elective units - a minimum of 6 credit points of capstone units A specialisation may be included as per the unit of study table |
| Relevant professional experience | N/A | N/A |
Reduction in requirements may be granted on a case by case basis by Departmental approval up to a maximum of 24 credit points. |
| AQF Level 8 eg Honours in the Humanities, Social Sciences or Law | 1 year | 48 |
- a minimum of 12 credit points of core units - a minimum of 18 credit points of selective units - a maximum of 12 credit points of elective units - a minimum of 6 credit points of capstone units |
All candidates for the Master of Public Policy are required to complete a capstone designed to build independent research capacity. Students complete one of the following two capstone options:
- a semester-long research project by enrolling in GOVT6127 Research Project; OR
- a year-long dissertation project, including GOVT6139 Research Design, followed by GOVT6340 Dissertation Part I and GOVT6341 Dissertation Part II. Completing this dissertation would prepare students to enrol in a PhD in Government and International Relations. This path is generally suitable only for students completing 72 or 96 credit points. Note that GOVT6139 is preparation for the Dissertation. It is not itself a Dissertation unit, and can be taken by any student enrolled in Government and International Relations postgraduate coursework degrees.
Contacts and further information
Website: Department of Government and International Relations