Master of Public Policy and Management

The Master of Public Policy and Management is the premier public policy program in Australia. For more than 30 years it has prepared students for leadership roles in Australia and internationally. It is designed for current public, private and community sector leaders and managers, as well as those wishing to begin a career in public policy and management. The program draws upon the expertise of academics engaged in researching public policy and of senior leaders from state and federal government and public service delivery organisations.

Students who complete the Master of Public Policy and Management should:

• Understand the dilemmas posed by the interdependence, diversity and dynamics of global, national and local institutions and actors and appreciate the potential and limits of public policy action;
• Become familiar with the key theoretical and analytical perspectives and debates in public policy, governance and management;
• Gain broad and deep knowledge of the institutions, actors, processes and practices of contemporary government and policy making;
• Develop high level analytic skills to meet the demands of complex contemporary public policy making and an ability to locate the evidential and other resources needed to apply these skills;
• Acquire a critical appreciation of the role of leadership (and followership) in policy making and public service delivery;
• Develop advanced management skills appropriate to complex public service systems.

200 point program

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

The Master of Public Policy and Management 200 point program requires:

• three compulsory subjects (75 points)
• 25 points of core subjects

Coursework Option

• 100 points of elective subjects

or

Minor Thesis Option

• PPMN90002 Minor Thesis - Public/Social Policy (37.5 points)

• POLS40013 Social Sciences Research Seminar (12.5 points)

• 50 points of elective subjects

150 point program

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

The Master of Public Policy and Management 150 point program requires:

• three compulsory subjects (75 points)

Coursework Option

• 75 points of elective subjects

or

Minor Thesis Option

• PPMN90002 Minor Thesis - Public/Social Policy (37.5 points)

• POLS40013 Social Sciences Research Seminar (12.5 points)

• 25 points of elective subjects

100 point program

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

The Master of Public Policy and Management 100 point program requires:

• two compulsory subjects (50 points)

Coursework Option

• 50 points of elective subjects

or

Minor Thesis Option

• PPMN90002 Minor Thesis - Public/Social Policy (37.5 points)

• POLS40013 Social Sciences Research Seminar (12.5 points)

Capstone Requirement:

All students are required to complete the Capstone Requirement for the program (at least 25 points). Students must complete one capstone option:

Capstone Stream 1: PPMN90039 Executive Internship

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

Capstone Stream 2: PPMN90006 Public Management

Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills in public management to a practical management problem through a sustained piece of applied scholarship

Capstone Stream 3: PPMN90007 Policy Design and Implementation

Purpose: An opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in policy design to a practical policy problem through a sustained piece of applied scholarship

Capstone Stream 4: PPMN90002 Minor Thesis - Public /Social Policy

Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills to address a research question; Pathway to the PhD

For policies that govern this degree, see Academic Services Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Framework. Students also should also refer to information in the Student Policy Directory.

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent; or

• an undergraduate degree in any discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent, and at least two years of documented, relevant work experience.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and

• relevance of previous studies; and, if relevant

• the professional experience

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Admission and Selection into Course Policy.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit:

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent, and at least one year of documented, relevant work experience.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:

• an honours degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent; or

• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent, and two years of documented, relevant work experience.

Applicants seeking credit for relevant work experience must document their experience with a brief curriculum vitae detailing the experience, contact details of two referees who can confirm the authenticity and nature of the experience claimed, and a covering letter that explains how the experience is relevant to the program and prepares them for it.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Students who complete the thesis may be eligible to enter the PhD.

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