Master of Social Policy

The Master of Social Policy offers a curriculum that reflects cutting edge theory in a number of professional development fields. Graduates will be equipped with the skills necessary for advanced community sector management and policy making, including the skills to:

• analyse key areas of contemporary social policy: governance, inclusion\exclusion, social capital, globalisation etc;
• engage with the social dimensions of social policy: race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, age etc;
• understand social policy as a contested process and apply research skills to a range of organisational contexts;
• draw on a range of disciplines and take a comparative and global focus.

Students who complete the Master of Social Policy should:

• enhance their skills in research: through competent use of advanced information sources and retrieval of appropriate information;
• have critical and theoretical thinking: through presentation of research papers, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;
• develop time management and planning: through managing and organising workloads;
• enhance their skills in team work: through small group discussions.

200 point program

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

The Master of Social Policy 200 point program requires:

First 100 points:

• two compulsory subjects (25 points)

• six elective subjects (75 points)

Second 100 points:

• two compulsory subjects (25 points)

Coursework Only Option

• six elective subjects (75 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

• minor thesis (37.5 points)
• three electives (37.5 points)

150 point program

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

The Master of Social Policy 150 point program requires:

• four compulsory subjects (50 points)

Coursework Only Option

• eight elective subjects (100 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

• minor thesis (37.5 points)
• five elective subjects (62.5 points)

100 point program

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

The Master of Social Policy 100 point program requires:

• four compulsory subjects (50 points)

Coursework Only Option:

• four elective subjects (50 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option:

• minor thesis (37.5 points)
• one elective subject (12.5 points)

Please note the following prior to enrolling in PPMN90002 Minor Thesis - Public /Social Policy:

• the thesis subject can only be completed in the second hundred points of the program
• students admitted into the 200 point and 150 point program must have completed 25 points of compulsory subjects within the program, with an average of H1 (80%)
• to be eligible to enrol in the thesis, students must submit a 300 word thesis proposal for approval by the course coordinator prior to the semester of enrolment in the thesis
• the minor thesis must be completed over two consecutive semesters

Capstone Requirements:

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: PPMN90002 Minor Thesis – Public/Social Policy

Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills to address a research question; pathway to the PhD.
Capstone Stream 2: PPMN90039 Executive Internship

Purpose: An opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in social policy practice to solve problems that arise in professional contexts and develop an integrated understanding of research and practice.
Capstone Stream 3: PPMN90043 Project-based Policy Analysis

Purpose: An opportunity to work in a team-based project where knowledge and skills are applied to a practical project under the supervision of an academic and practitioner expert.

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 any discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and
• relevance of previous studies.

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. The minimum English language requirements for this course are Band 6.5.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit:
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent.

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:
• an honours degree in a cognate discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average, or equivalent, and at least two years of documented, relevant work experience.

Applicants seeking credit 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.

For the purposes of considering request 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/

Graduates may progress to a range of other graduate coursework programs. Those who complete the minor thesis elective may also qualify for entry to research higher degree programs, including the Doctor of Philosophy.

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