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.

The program will enable students to:

• 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

Coursework Option:

• 4 compulsory subjects (100 points)
• elective subjects (100 points)

Minor Thesis option: (Please note: Permission is required from the Program Coordinator to take the Minor Thesis option prior to enrolment) Please refer to the thesis handbook entry for further information

• 4 compulsory subjects (100 points)
• Elective subject POLS40013 Social Sciences Research Seminar (12.5 points)
• Elective subject PPMN90002 Minor Thesis (37.5 points)
• Elective subjects (50 points)

* Please note: The Minor Thesis must be completed over two consecutive semesters

150 point program

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

Coursework Option:

• 3 compulsory subjects (75 points)
• elective subjects (75 points)

Minor Thesis option: (Please note: Permission is required from the Course Coordinator to take the Minor Thesis option prior to enrolment) Please refer to the thesis handbook entry for further information

• 3 compulsory subjects (75 points)
• Elective subject POLS40013 Social Sciences Research Seminar (12.5 points)
• Elective subject PPMN90002 Minor Thesis (37.5 points)
• Elective subjects (25 points)

* Please note: The Minor Thesis must be completed over two consecutive semesters

100 point program

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

Coursework Option:

• 2 compulsory subjects (50 points)
• elective subjects (50 points)

Minor Thesis option: (Please note: Permission is required from the Course Coordinator to take the Minor Thesis option prior to enrolment) Please refer to the thesis handbook entry for further information)

• 2 compulsory subjects (50 points)
• Elective subject POLS40013 Social Sciences Research Seminar (12.5 points)
• Elective subject PPMN90002 Minor Thesis (37.5 points)

* Please note: The Minor Thesis must be completed over two consecutive semesters

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. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria –

For the 200 point program

• an undergraduate degree with a major area of study related to public policy with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any field with at least a grade average of at least H2B (70%) and at least two years of full time documented relevant professional work experience in public or community sectors, or equivalent.

For the 150 point program

• an undergraduate degree with a major area of study related to public policy with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and at least one year of documented relevant professional work experience or training, or equivalent.

For the 100 point program

• an honours degree or postgraduate diploma in a major area of study related to public policy with a research component and with at least a H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in a major area of study related to public policy with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and at least two years of full time documented relevant professional work experience, or equivalent.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Documented evidence of relevant professional experience:
Applicants seeking admission into 100 and 150 point programs must provide the following documentation in support of their application for the recognition of prior professional experience:

• brief curriculum vitae, detailing work experience;
• contact details of two referees ;
• a covering letter outlining the applicants professional background and how this prepares them to successfully undertake the program.
  In some cases, an interview and/or two reference letters from employers/managers detailing the period of employment and areas of responsibility, and/or evidence of written work or reports undertaken during the period of employment may be requested.

Admission process

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/

http://www.unimelb.edu.au/about/attributes.html