Public policy decisions have a profound effect on nearly every aspect of daily life, touching on the economy, healthcare, and the environment. As the challenges facing our communities—both locally and globally—grow ever more complex, the need to understand and apply sound public policy is critical.
In the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program, you can gain the skills needed to address public policy issues and create solutions that will have a positive impact on society. Discover how to formulate, implement, and evaluate public policy within government agencies or in the nonprofit or private sector.
Through a curriculum that blends theory, practice, and a virtual city that simulates real-life scenarios, you can enhance and refine your analytic and quantitative skills while developing a thorough understanding of the political institutions and processes through which public policies are created. Coursework focuses on policy analysis, management and leadership, empirical analysis, ethics, and politics and is designed to prepare you to work in a wide variety of organizations that create, analyze, or operate according to public policy.
You can apply what you learn immediately in your profession and prepare for a role in public policy management or leadership.
Graduates of this program will be prepared to:
Find detailed information for the general specialization of this program, or all other specializations of this program, including possible occupations, completion rate, program costs, and median student loan debt.
Various leaders and policymakers who have launched successful public policy careers hold a Master of Public Policy.* A broad range of career options is available for those who hold advanced degrees in public policy, including positions in governments at all levels, nonprofit organizations and NGOs, and higher education and at private-sector companies.
Walden’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) can prepare you for careers as a:
Policy-makers create strategic and operational policies that make life better—locally, nationally and internationally.
Give yourself the opportunity to get a high-level overview of the latest public sector developments and insights. You'll develop your abilities, broaden your perspective, deepen your understanding, challenge your thinking—and increase your employability.
You'll study at the School of Government, learning to help decision makers get the best outcomes in environmental, economic and social areas. Find out about the machinery of government and get the skills to design, evaluate and put in place strategic and operational policies that improve our lives.
Victoria is the only New Zealand university that is connected to the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG)—so you know your qualification is of the highest standard.
Our lecturers are actively involved in the public sector, exchanging ideas on key policy and management issues. They're connected to decision makers from local, regional and national government, giving you the opportunity to meet and learn from those in the know.
We're also associated with important public and volunteer sector organisations like the Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM), Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), the NZ Council of Social Services (NZCOSS) and Hui E! Community Aotearoa.
Be part of a school that attracts not only local professionals but a talented group of international students—many highly experienced employees of government organisations in their own countries. Take advantage of the diverse experience in public policy and public management these students take to the classroom—providing valuable insights and bringing the comparative perspective alive.
Choose the qualification that suits your career goals, time constraints and financial situation.If you are initially accepted for a certificate or diploma, you can apply to transfer to the Master’s degree at a later stage. Both your performance in the programme and your professional work experience will be taken into account when looking at your application.
If you're working towards a Master of Public Policy and illness, promotion or other reasons for leaving your studies come up, you may still be able to graduate with a certificate or diploma.
You'll take a mixture of foundation and core courses that will give you the skills and capability to design, implement and evaluate policy for a range of different outcomes.
Learn about the theory and practice of policy making and examine the role of government and others in policy creation and implementation. Understand the issues at play in different policy areas like local government, health or development. If you're working while you study, you can apply what you learn to your own workplace policy challenges immediately.
MPP students should also take a research paper as part of their qualification. This could be a research topic that is relevant to your workplace. If you want to complete your Master's by coursework only, you need to get approval from the Master's Programme Director.
Most classes are delivered on-campus in a block format. That means you'll need to attend day-long classes on three different days each semester, each of these separated by about six weeks. You'll also need to complete an additional six hours of structured class work, which may be face-to-face or online.
Some classes are delivered in a weekly or intensive format. Intensive courses are structured as one-off blocks of four days, or two blocks of two days separated by six weeks. Classes for weekly courses usually take place in the evening during the standard university trimesters.
Whatever format your course is delivered in, you'll need to attend all of the classes to pass and to get the most out of your study.
Because of the block format of the classes, you can fit your study commitments around your work and home life. And if you're struggling at any time, just let us know—we want your study to be a success.
If you are studying full-time you can expect a workload of 40–45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing two courses per trimester will need to do around 20–23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working full-time.
You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of points you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10–12 hours work.
The MPP can be completed in three years part-time, or in two years of full-time study.
Surrounded by Parliament Buildings, government offices and corporate headquarters, you'll benefit from the strong links the School of Government maintains with the industry.
Postgraduate study at Victoria will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff and future colleagues.
There will be opportunities to attend events, workshops, social functions and seminars such as the Student Learning Postgraduate Research skills sessions. You'll also have access to the postgraduate student workspace on the 2nd floor of Rutherford House—make use of the spacious computer lab, meeting rooms, printer and kitchen.
The Postgraduate Students' Association can give you information and provides a voice for you on campus.
Skilled-policy makers are in demand both in and outside of government, due to their technical and creative skills and commitment to solving society's challenges.
You might find work in central, local or regional government, a Crown entity or a not-for-profit organisation, or a private consultancy or corporation active in policy-making and implementation processes.
This course is commencing in 2019.
The Master of Public Policy builds practical knowledge and skills for international professionals in policy making and management across the spectrum of public sector activities. The course will develop your understanding of the politics and processes of policy formation, the delivery of policy programs, and the political and structural realities that can influence such decision-making.
Public policy is a multidisciplinary course at the intersection of the study of public policy theory and practice. Combining expertise from across the university (Social Sciences, Health, Law, Science, Urban Planning, Business and Economics), you will be able to focus your studies to contribute to a portfolio of professional development.
The Master of Public Policy equips you for a career in public, not-for-profit or private sector agencies involved in policy and service delivery at intergovernmental, national, or regional government levels. You’ll develop specialist skills in policy development, research, management and evaluation. Building your understanding of critical issues in public policy, governance and policy evaluation you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in one of the following:
You will be skilled to work in policy areas across both the public and private sectors, from government organisations, multi-nationals through to independent consultancies. This degree will equip you with industry relevant specialist skills to prepare you for working and living in a world of constant technological, environmental, political and population change.
The course is designed to ensure you will make an excellent contribution to your profession using the full range of skills to critically evaluate evidence, develop and support arguments, conduct research using a variety of methodological approaches, advanced oral and written communication and an understanding of the possibilities and challenges of public policy practice and reform.
The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Foundation study, Part B. Core Master’s Study and Part C Advanced Expertise. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part C or both. Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.
Part A. Foundation Studies (24 points)
These studies provide you with an in-depth understanding of public policy theory and practice.
Part B. Core Master’s Study (48 points)
The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You have two options:
Students admitted to the course, who have a recognised honours degree in a cognate discipline including humanities or social sciences, will receive credit for Part C, however, should they wish to complete a 24 point research project as part of the course they should consult with the course coordinator.
Part C. Advanced Expertise (24 points)
These studies provide you with an opportunity to specialise in a policy related field.
eGovernance and the digitalization of the public sector are most likely one of the most important reform trends for the future public sector. That’s why the public sector of the future needs experts who combine knowledge in public administration and public management on the one hand, and information systems and eGovernance on the other hand. The Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Public Sector Innovation and eGovernance (PIONEER) is a new and unique programme delivering those experts.
Experience our excellent research-based education in an international student group, providing you all the opportunities for a rich learning experience. A specific focus is placed on the use of case studies; the emphasis is placed on how new problems in the field of public administration and public policy can be solved through the use of (technological) innovations. Moreover, specific courses are built to help you increase your international experience and interdisciplinary expertise. Added value is created by giving attention to the practical challenges of professionals in policy, administrative and consultative functions.
PIONEER is:
The main objective of the PIONEER programme is to provide students with specialised competencies about public sector innovation and the role of ICT and technological evolutions in the innovation process. This is a joint master programme between 3 universities in Europe aimed at both addressing state-of-the art expertise in Public Administration, Information Systems and eGovernance and building bridges between these fields.
Each university will offer courses with a total workload of 30 ECTS. Students start in the first semester at the KU Leuven with courses on Public Administration and Management, a general introduction in the use of information systems in the public sector and an introduction into eGovernance practices.
In the second semester students will move to the University of Münster where they gain insights into the use of ICT in relevant business processes, ICT projects, new approaches of service delivery and the possibilities of ICT for governance purposes.
In the third semester, students move to Tallinn University of Technology to gain in-depth knowledge on the potential benefits, risks, factors of failure/success of eGovernance, the role of eGovernance towards society and trends in public sector innovation. By this semester students will have received enough expertise on Public Administration and Information Systems to reflect from both fields, in an integrated way, on eGovernance and the use of ICT for public sector innovation.
In the fourth semester the students will concentrate on their master thesis (30 ECTS). The master thesis can have two tracks: students can choose to do an internship in a professional organization being an integral part of their master thesis, or they can conduct research at a research institute. All courses are obligatory.
If your answers to the above questions are YES, then the Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Public Sector Innovation and eGovernance (PIONEER) is the right type of programme for you!
This intensive 2-year programme is an excellent opportunity to build expertise that is of increasing interest for many organisations. Our graduates have the opportunity to work in a variety of public organisations, at all levels of government (federal, local or regional) and in European and international institutions. Graduates can also find careers in non-governmental organisations, consultancy companies and the private sector. The programme can also be considered as a preparation for PhD research in public administration or information systems.
Whether it is at the local, state, or federal level, providing public service increasingly involves collaboration with multiple government agencies as well as private and nonprofit organizations. When you earn your online master’s in public administration, you can be prepared to meet these challenges.
Walden’s online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program is designed to help you develop the advanced competencies that are essential to becoming a successful leader in public administration. Gain the skills that can prepare you for cross-sectoral governance and enable you to deliver services to citizens through plans that are transparent, efficient, and ethical. As a student working toward your online MPA degree, you can learn effective ways to balance budgets, write and negotiate contracts, manage conflict, and build partnerships.
Prepare to advance your career as you gain the knowledge to translate policies into programs that work for the public good. Through in-depth research, practical coursework, and a virtual city that simulates real-life scenarios, you can acquire the organizational capabilities you need to administer and oversee diverse and complex agencies.
Graduates of our online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program will be prepared to:
Find detailed information for the general specialization of this program, or all other specializations of this program, including possible occupations, completion rate, program costs, and median student loan debt.
Graduates of this program will be well-prepared for a number of occupations across an array of areas, including government and politics, health, nonprofit, and public affairs. Students can prepare for a career in a variety of roles, including:
Career positions may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Study your specialist subject in detail and take the opportunity to contribute to the world's knowledge in that area. Enhance your critical thinking, communication and problem-solving abilities and learn to create and assess new ideas.
Working alongside some of New Zealand’s leading academic staff, you'll complete a research thesis of up to 40,000 words and emerge as an expert in your subject with highly developed research skills.
Victoria's MA is offered in more than 40 subjects. Most programmes are by thesis only but some include coursework and require a shorter thesis, and others you can complete doing mainly coursework and a research project.
A Master of Arts will give your career prospects a boost and open doors to new opportunities. Be a leader in a humanities or social science field and help make New Zealand a better place.
If you are doing an MA by thesis you'll normally need to complete it within 12 months, or two years if you're studying part time.
If you are doing your MA by coursework and thesis you'll normally be able to complete your degree within 12 months, but you can take up to one year and six months. Part-time students can take up to four years to complete this MA.
If you are studying full time you can expect a workload of a minimum of 30 hours a week for much of the year. If you can't commit this many hours you should enrol as a part-time student.
eeGovernance and the digitalization of the public sector are most likely one of the most important reform trends for the future public sector. That’s why the public sector of the future needs experts who combine knowledge in public administration and public management on the one hand, and information systems and eGovernance on the other hand. The Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Public Sector Innovation and eGovernance is a new and unique programme delivering those experts.
If your answers to the above questions are YES, then the Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Public Sector Innovation and eGovernance (PIONEER) is the right type of programme for you!
Experience our excellent research-based education in an international student group, providing you all the opportunities for a rich learning experience. A specific focus is placed on the use of case studies; the emphasis is placed on how new problems in the field of public administration and public policy can be solved through the use of (technological) innovations. Moreover, specific courses are built to help you increase your international experience and interdisciplinary expertise. Added value is created by giving attention to the practical challenges of professionals in policy, administrative and consultative functions.
PIONEER is:
WHAT THE PIONEER PROGRAMME HAS TO OFFER YOU:
Successful applicants are holder of a bachelor degree in social sciences, political sciences, public administration, information systems, information science, informatics, engineering, business, law, or an equivalent degree in the mentioned areas. Other applications will be taken into consideration depending on the other selection criteria. The admission policy is intended to ensure equal opportunity of access to higher education for qualified students. In general the programme will assess students individually on the basis of their previous academic record, a letter of motivation, reference letters, and the availability of places. Applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English (both spoken and written), either by showing that some of their previous studies were successfully completed in English, or by submitting the results of a recognised English language proficiency test.
The admission policy is intended to ensure equal opportunity of access to higher education for qualified students. The programme will assess students individually on the basis of their previous academic record, a letter of motivation and the availability of places.
Be aware that you fulfill the registration and application before March 1st 2017. Test-results of the language proficiency test can be provided later, but not later than March 20th 2017. The language requirements are stipulated as following: at least a score of 100 on the TOEFL internet based test (at least 22 on the different components) or 7 on the IELTS-test (at least 6 on the four different components).
For the application procedure, please follow this link: http://www.kuleuven.be/english/application/instructions.
The UBC Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program, established in 2008 as part of the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH), is a practicum-based program which is normally completed in two years (three academic terms and one term devoted to a practicum). MPH training integrates epidemiology; biostatistics; the social, biological and environmental determinants of health locally and globally; disease prevention and health systems policy and management. We offer our students a solid grounding in epidemiological methods and quantitative analysis, a rigorous curriculum with a wide range of core, required and elective public health courses, faculty who are leaders in public health research and practice, and hands-on training through the 12-week field practicum. MPH course requirements can be completed as part of a traditional, on-campus educational experience or can be completed in a Distributed Learning (DL) format, where courses are scheduled over three weekends during the semester.
The MPH can also be combined with the Master of Science in Nursing or the Diploma in Dental Public Health. Our aim is to create leaders in public health who can turn evidence into practice and improve the health of populations.
What makes the program unique?
The UBC MPH program is one of two in Canada that is available in two educational delivery formats. There is the traditional, classroom-based curriculum where students come to campus weekly to attend courses and the Distributed Learning (DL) format where students come to campus over three weekends during the semester. The DL format provides working public health professionals and remotely located professionals across B.C. and Canada the opportunity to obtain their MPH degree without interrupting their careers.
Students are also able to schedule their practicum any term after completing their first-year required courses. This adds considerable program flexibility and allows students to take advantage of practica opportunities throughout their second year. Our students have completed practica placements in local, provincial and federal health agencies, not-for-profit, academic and global health organizations (e.g., BC Centre for Disease Control, Alberta Health Services, World Health Organization, BC Children's Hospital, City of Vancouver etc.).
This combined non-clinical, non-thesis program allows students to advance their knowledge in dental public health, an area of dentistry focused in promoting oral health as well as preventing and controlling oral and dental diseases. The program encompasses education, fieldwork, and public service components that contribute to the health and sociocultural progress of Canadians. The curriculum is ingrained in critical thinking and evidence-based practice combining a broad spectrum of courses from the UBC School of Population and Public Health and the Faculty of Dentistry. The fieldwork experience comes in the format of a practicum involving community participation and research practice at local, national or international partnering organization. The practicum focuses on the assessment of the oral health needs of the community, specially the marginalized and disadvantaged; development and implementation of oral health policy; and provision of programs and services that address oral health issues of people with special needs, including not limited to First Nations, intravenous drug users, immigrants and refugees, and low income/working poor.
What makes the program unique?
This graduate program is the only in Canada to be course-based and to offer two degrees, a Masters in Public Health combined with a Diploma in Dental Public Health. The array of faculty members teaching the didactic courses at the School of Population and Public Health and at the Faculty of Dentistry brings a diversity of expertise, experience and knowledge in the field of public health. The not-for-profit organizations and community connections enable students to have access to specific resources and hands-on opportunities that are ideal to the practice of dental public health. British Columbia in particular plays a unique role in dental public health in Canada via its five health authorities that currently have various dental public health initiatives targeting low-income families, pregnant women and Aboriginal Peoples, specifically within the First Nations Health Authority. The graduate students from this combined program can collaborate with these authorities via course work and fieldwork activities.
The Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Nursing is a unique dual degree program offered at the University of British Columbia. This program is jointly offered by the School of Population and Public Health and the School of Nursing.
Nurses constitute the largest group of professionals in the public health work force. The MPH/MSN joint degree program will produce advanced practice public health nurses who have integrated knowledge and training in epidemiology, biostatistics, health service management, population-focused nursing interventions, policy development, research, and leadership skills and are capable of applying them to a diverse range of public health issues in interdisciplinary environments.
The MPH degree is currently the most widely recognized professional credential for leadership in public health, while the MSN provides advanced practice, nursing management, and research skills for supporting public health nurse leaders, and evaluating public health nursing practice. In addition, nurses in the MPH/MSN program will have access to a variety of courses in either School that address core competencies as defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
What makes the program unique?
Students in the program will have the opportunity in research and practical experience through a thesis in Nursing and a practicum in the MPH program. These requirements will enable graduates to be well prepared for admission to doctoral programs if they so desire.
UBC’s two-year, professional Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) program will equip students with a broad policy foundation of strong analytical and technical skills – plus knowledge in development and social change, sustainability, and global governance.
The Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs curriculum is designed to emphasize many aspects of being a professional in a policy-making environment: comprehensive knowledge, application of scientific and engineering principles, assessment of alternatives, and problem-solving.
Students will graduate with a deeper understanding of policy networks between North America or Europe and China and other emerging nations in Asia and beyond. The MPPGA program will graduate policy professionals prepared to create boundary-crossing solutions to address urgent issues facing the world in the 21st century.
UBC’s MPPGA degree prepares future policy leaders with an informed perspective, critical and creative thinking skills, and professional networks qualifying them to work effectively with global policy establishments. Together, this toolkit will allow graduates to diversify and enhance their careers. The MPPGA program has a novel and broad approach to governance: going beyond government bodies to include a network of actors - NGOs, social enterprises, international institutions, and the private sector – that are target employers for graduates.
The program’s three streams allow for customization and specialization of global public policy and are reflective of UBC's unique strengths on Asia and sustainability in particular. Students will be exposed to global case studies in the areas of political, socio-economic and cultural change taught by some of the world’s leading public policy experts.
The program integrates learning and practical experience with a mix of field visits, workshops, and the intensive Global Policy Project, which provides opportunities for students to engage with policy makers and civil society to address a real-world policy challenge.
The Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) program will incubate future policy makers with a deeper understanding of policy-making processes, the interconnectedness of global networks, and a cross-sectoral understanding that will foster a healthier, more sustainable future. MPPGA graduates will be key players within organizations who drive innovation and creativity in policy design and implementation.
MPPGA graduates will function both in domestic policy settings and in the new arenas of global governance and understand the linkages between the different levels. With their data analysis skills graduates will know how to evaluate policy options and policy results and have the ability to work with expert data. Graduates will also have the ability to develop an effective communication policy and know how to harness the power of digital media.
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