Masters degrees in Public Policy equip postgraduates with the skills to study the policies that local and central governments implement, and the sociological effect these have on communities.
Related subjects include Public Administration and Policy Research & Practice. Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject, such as Law, Politics or Communication Studies.
Join this unique qualification to become a leading, sought-after analyst, able to understand and communicate big data in social policy-related contexts.
Find out more about the Master of Analytics parent structure.
The Master of Analytics with a major in public policy is for public servants who want to be able to better understand, interpret and analyse large data sets.
The degree equips you with the technical ability and critical thinking needed to transform complex data into information that can be used as evidence for making policy.
Massey University is the only New Zealand university that offers the Master of Analytics (Public Policy).
The MAnalyt teaches fundamental data analysis tools, including data mining, statistics and econometrics in the core courses. You will then learn how these tools are applied in the public sector.
The Master of Analytics (Public Policy) teaches a critical appreciation of the complexity of data analytics including an examination of cross-cultural data analysis; methodology; ethics; systems mapping; attribution and data management.
It also introduces case studies examining the roles and possibilities of geospatial data and the use of outputs from the integrated data infrastructure (IDI). The IDI is the New Zealand cross-agency data set used by government agencies and policy makers.
At Massey University we ensure your learning is firmly based in a real-world context. To help you identify the most appropriate technique and data to address a problem, you need to understand the real challenges and context that policy makers face.
The Master of Analytics will help you understand all these things, as well as give you training in communicating your findings in a compelling way.
You will work in conjunction with an external agency on a real-world problem using the skills and knowledge you have already gained.
Block courses are held in Wellington.
The qualification can be completed in 12 months of full-time study, or over a longer period of part-time study. The programme starts in semester one of each calendar year.
You need to complete three core statistics and analytics courses and three public policy specialisation courses. The programme ends with the applied or capstone project.
The skills you will learn in the Master of Analytics meet the growing demand for graduates capable of processing, analysing and presenting data in ways that encourage informed and effective decision making. You will learn how to extract useful information from big data sets, while maintaining data security and privacy.
In 2011, Statistics New Zealand launched the IDI. It combines information from a range of organisations to provide the insights government needs to improve social and economic outcomes for New Zealanders. There are very few people skilled at using the IDI.
Postgraduate study is hard work but hugely rewarding and empowering. The Master of Analytics (Public Policy) will push you to produce your best creative, strategic and theoretical ideas. The workload replicates the high-pressure environment of senior workplace roles. Our experts are there to guide but if you have come from undergraduate study, you will find that postgraduate study demands more in-depth and independent study.
Postgraduate study is not just more of the same undergraduate study. It takes you to a new level in knowledge and expertise especially in planning and undertaking research.
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:
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Public Policy (Extended) at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The MA in Public Policy is designed to provide a high level training in the study of public policy and policy making at international, national and sub-state levels.
The MA in Public Policy provides a solid grounding in the key theoretical approaches to the study of public policy, and seeks to develop the knowledge and skills of those wishing to engage in further academic study. At the same time, the Public Policy MA focuses on the necessary skills involved in working in a public policy landscape now increasingly characterised by change and interdependence. Consequently, it will also develop the knowledge and skills of those wishing to, or already, pursuing a career in public policy research, policy advice, lobbying, public sector management or journalism.
The full-time Public Policy course structure is split across the year with three modules taken in each academic semester (a total of six modules) and then a dissertation over the summer. Students study four compulsory modules and two optional modules. The dissertation is written on a specialist research topic of the student's choosing.
Part-time study is available.
The Swansea programme in Public Policy is uniquely placed to offer students a comprehensive knowledge of public policy in multi-level and comparative settings, with staff well-versed in the theoretical, empirical and methodological understanding of public policy, with specialisms including European Union policy, multi-level governance, political economy, development studies and British and regional politics.
The Extended MA (EMA) in Public Policy is a 240-credit postgraduate qualification that is equivalent to 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) and is thus a recognised Masters qualification throughout the European Union. The EMA is a standard UK MA plus an additional 60 credits (30 ECTS) and this additional coursework is undertaken in one semester at a partner institution overseas. The EMA is therefore not only an EU recognised postgraduate qualification it also adds a study abroad experience thus enhancing the qualification’s employability credentials.
The partner institution for EMA Public Policy is The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Founded in 1997, the Bush School is ranked in the top 12 percent of the
266 graduate public affairs schools in the USA, according to rankings published in U.S. News & World Report. Located in College Station, Texas, the School’s programmes are housed in the Robert H. and Judy Ley Allen Building, which is part of the George Bush Presidential Library Center on the West Campus of Texas A&M. This location affords students access to the archival holdings of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, invitation to numerous events hosted by the George Bush Foundation at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, and inclusion in the many activities of the Texas A&M community. Texas A&M is the sixth-largest university in the USA with 50,000 students. It holds membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, one of only 61 institutions with this distinction.
Modules on the MA in Public Policy typically include:
• Governance,Globalization and Neoliberal Political Economy
• Comparative Politics in the New World Order
• The Policy Making Process
• Politics and Public Policy in the New Wales
• Approaching Political Theory: the challenge of democracy
• Politics in Contemporary Britain
• Violence, Conflict and Development
• Critical Security Studies
• Civil Society and International Development
• War, Technology and Culture
• State of Africa
• Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention
- To develop and advance practical and academic knowledge and understanding of public policy
- To develop critical, theoretical and analytical skills, and to improve written and oral communication skills.
- To acquire research and practical skills in public policy relevant to academic, public- and private sector careers in policy-related areas.
Students interested in politics, international relations, development studies, law, humanities, social science, International business or a related background. Professionals interested in public policy and administration. Students interested in preparation for postgraduate research, MPhil or PhD, or who wish to develop skills and knowledge related to Public Policy.
Career expectations are excellent for public policy graduates, who are well-placed for careers in a variety of sectors in the UK, Europe or internationally. MA degree holders may move on to doctoral study or enter employment sectors such as government and politics; the public sector; journalism; the diplomatic corps; the armed forces; intelligence and risk analysis; relief and humanitarian organisations; law and finance and international business.
Rethink public policy from the ground up, by exploring creative and innovative approaches for making, shaping and influencing policy design and delivery.
This specialist MSc in Public Policy offers you the opportunity to delve into how public policy is made, what shapes it, and how you can make a real difference as a policymaker.
You will explore the political, economic and social dynamics and forces that influence contemporary public policy issues. This will enable you to think creatively about public policy design and delivery, and your role within it.
Highly applied in nature, the course draws on diverse cases from policymaking globally, as well as from Europe and the UK. You’ll work with academics from the Institute for Policy Research, Department of Social & Policy Sciences and Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies with international expertise in this area, and have links to senior and experienced policymakers from around the world.
The course also examines how data, knowledge and evidence in the digital environment are re-shaping how public policy is analysed, made and practised.
You will leave the course with:
The course is delivered in an inspiring format, with highly structured and interactive online content; face-to-face learning and networking at short residentials in Bath and London; and intensive support from leading Bath academics throughout.
Ideal for those already working in policy, or aspiring to do so, the course offers plenty of opportunity to draw on examples from your own professional experience, and to apply the new ideas and skills to your own specific public policy interests.
Graduate prospects
The specialist teaching and tools you acquire will put you in a strong position for moving forward in any policy-facing or policy-shaping role, whether in analysis, strategy or delivery.
You will be equipped to work as a national civil servant in a policy role, government affairs official, think tank researcher, parliamentary advisor, policy advisor, policy advocate in a large INGO or advocacy organisation.
You could also work in regional or local government strategy, public service policy or strategy, or the private sector providing contracted public sector services.
You could also take your studies further to doctoral level.
Course brochure
If you'd like to find out more about this course then we can arrange for the Director of Studies, Dr Emma Carmel to call you.
Register your details for a call back
This course lasts 2 years. Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
These compulsory units are currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new units.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Public Policy at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The MA in Public Policy is designed to provide a high level training in the study of public policy and policy making at international, national and sub-state levels.
The MA in Public Policy provides a solid grounding in the key theoretical approaches to the study of public policy, and seeks to develop the knowledge and skills of those wishing to engage in further academic study. At the same time, the Public Policy MA focuses on the necessary skills involved in working in a public policy landscape now increasingly characterised by change and interdependence. Consequently, it will also develop the knowledge and skills of those wishing to, or already, pursuing a career in public policy research, policy advice, lobbying, public sector management or journalism.
The full-time Public Policy course structure is split across the year with three modules taken in each academic semester (a total of six modules) and then a dissertation over the summer. Students study four compulsory modules and two optional modules. The dissertation is written on a specialist research topic of the student's choosing.
Part-time study is available.
The Swansea programme in Public Policy is uniquely placed to offer students a comprehensive knowledge of public policy in multi-level and comparative settings, with staff well-versed in the theoretical, empirical and methodological understanding of public policy, with specialisms including European Union policy, multi-level governance, political economy, development studies and British and regional politics.
Modules on the MA in Public Policy typically include:
• Governance,Globalization and Neoliberal Political Economy
• Comparative Politics in the New World Order
• The Policy Making Process
• Politics and Public Policy in the New Wales
• Approaching Political Theory: the challenge of democracy
• Politics in Contemporary Britain
• Violence, Conflict and Development
• Critical Security Studies
• Civil Society and International Development
• War, Technology and Culture
• State of Africa
• Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention
- To develop and advance practical and academic knowledge and understanding of public policy
- To develop critical, theoretical and analytical skills, and to improve written and oral communication skills.
- To acquire research and practical skills in public policy relevant to academic, public- and private sector careers in policy-related areas.
Students interested in politics, international relations, development studies, law, humanities, social science, International business or a related background. Professionals interested in public policy and administration. Students interested in preparation for postgraduate research, MPhil or PhD, or who wish to develop skills and knowledge related to Public Policy.
Career expectations are excellent for public policy graduates, who are well-placed for careers in a variety of sectors in the UK, Europe or internationally. MA degree holders may move on to doctoral study or enter employment sectors such as government and politics; the public sector; journalism; the diplomatic corps; the armed forces; intelligence and risk analysis; relief and humanitarian organisations; law and finance and international business.
This MSc aims to educate a new generation of public policymakers and policy analysts, familiarising them with the necessary concepts, theories, methods and principles involved in the formulation and analysis of public policy. The programme draws on many disciplines, including political science, economics, law, public management and public health.
Students develop a working knowledge of many aspects of political science theory relevant to understanding how public policies are formulated, implemented and evaluated. They gain a basic understanding of economic approaches to public policy analysis and of the concepts of economic efficiency and equity as societal objectives. Students also learn extensively about research methods which gives them the tools necessary to understand political processes and to analyse important policy issues.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (75 credits), three optional modules (45 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an individual research project, which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and case studies, and is taught by scholars who have carried out theoretical and empirical research in the field. Students will be assessed by a variety of methods: unseen examinations, long essays, course work and the dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Public Policy MSc
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Graduates go on to a range of destinations both nationally and internationally including:
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
The training that students receive in policy analysis, research methods, political science, economics and other disciplines equips them to work in a range of different organisations engaged in policy-making and policy analysis. Additionally, the emphasis on independent research, through the dissertation, enables students to think critically about policy problems and devise innovative solutions to such problems.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
UCL Political Science is recognised as a centre of excellence in the field and offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of public policy.
The interdisciplinary aspect of this programme provides participants with the opportunity to address some of the key issues of contemporary governance and public sector reform.
UCL is uniquely well placed to draw together theory and practice in the field of public policy in health, where perhaps the most far-reaching of all public sector reforms has taken place.
The MSc International Development: Public Policy and Management seeks to provide an interdisciplinary training and education that will enable policy-makers, economists, planners, managers and researchers to be fully conversant with current issues of public policy and management, in an international development setting. In doing so the programme will provide participants with the conceptual and analytical tools needed to understand and critically review issues relevant to public policy and public sector reform.
While the programme was conceived primarily for those already working in the public sector environment, it has evolved into a highly successful multidisciplinary programme that is appropriate to modern professionals, from a wide variety of backgrounds, who have an interest in issues of public policy.
Informal enquiries, prior to applications, are welcomed. Please contact: Dr David Lawson (Programme Director) | Tel: +44 (0) 161 275 0415 | Email: [email protected]
By the end of the programme students will have:
Part-time Study
Part-time students complete the full-time programme over 27 months. There are NO evening or weekend course units available on the part-time programme, therefore if you are considering taking a programme on a part-time basis, you should discuss the requirements with the Programme Director first and seek approval from your employer to have the relevant time off. Timetabling information is normally available from late August from the Programme Administrator and you will have the opportunity to discuss course unit choices during induction week with the Programme Director.
The taught elements of the programme, carrying 120 credits overall is continuously assessed by a variety of methods (project based reports, essays), involving largely individual submissions, but also elements of group work.
Participants must also complete a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice approved by the Programme Directors. Students are encouraged to base their dissertations on topics of direct professional concern to themselves.
The Arthur Lewis Building provides excellent resources including analytical laboratories, studio facilities, workshops, seminar rooms, an on-site cafe and dedicated computer clusters including GIS facilities.
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: [email protected]
The course is intended primarily for those with experience of the public sector and those involved in public policy formulation and implementation. The nature of the course also ensures that graduates are well equipped to pursue careers in the public sector or in public policy and development as researchers, advisers or consultants.
The Global Development Institute (GDI) has a large and diverse postgraduate population, including a large number of students from outside the UK (85% of our students are drawn from outside the UK, particularly from Africa, Asia and Western Europe, but also reaching out to Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the Pacific). Many of our alumni have gone on to prestigious careers in the public service or in the NGO/charitable and private sectors, as policy officers, managers, consultants or development practitioners - while others have pursued further academic study leading to a PhD and academic careers. Since its foundation, GDI has trained over 7000 individuals from 170 different countries.
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.
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.
Study Innovation, Science & Technology Policy at an internationally recognised Centre of Research
Architecture, Humanities and Computing. Apply now to join the top university in London for student satisfaction!
