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:

Coursework Option:

• three compulsory subjects (75 points)
• 25 point of core subjects (25 points)
• elective subjects (100 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option:

• three compulsory subjects (75 points)
• 25 point of core subjects (25 points)
• elective subject POLS40013 Social Sciences Research Seminar (12.5 points)
• elective subject PPMN90002 Minor Thesis (37.5 points)
• elective subjects (50 points)

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:

Coursework Option:

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

or

Minor Thesis Option:

• three 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)

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:
Coursework Option:

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

or

Minor Thesis Option:

• two 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 following:

Permission is required from the Course Coordinator to take the Minor Thesis option prior to enrolment.

The minor thesis must be completed over two consecutive semesters.

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: Executive Internship (PMN90039)

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: Public Management (PPMN90006)

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: Policy Design and Implementation (PPMN90007)

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: Minor Thesis - Public /Social Policy (PPMN90002)

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

Please note: the thesis subject requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment.

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.

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 (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree) or equivalent, in a cognate discipline, with at least H2B (70%) average.

or

An undergraduate degree (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree) or equivalent, in any discipline, with at least H2B (70%) average and two years documented, relevant work experience or equivalent

For the 150 point program

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

For the 100 point program

An honours degree (equivalent to a four year Australian Honours Degree) or equivalent, in a cognate discipline, with at least H2B (70%) average;

or

An undergraduate degree (equivalent to an Australian undergraduate degree) or equivalent, in a cognate discipline, with at least H2B (70%) average, and at least 2 years of documented, relevant work experience or equivalent.

Documented evidence of relevant professional experience:

Applicants seeking admission on the basis of professional experience must provide the following documentation in support of their application:
• 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.

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.

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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