General
The Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) is designed for a mix of Australian and international students who have an undergraduate degree and some experience in public management. The program aims to provide students with the analytical skills to meet the challenges of public policy and management in an evolving economic, political and social world. The MPPM draws on subjects across a range of disciplines within the graduate management programs of the university. It provides specialist units in public management and public policy, particularly in the second year of study.
Course objectives
On completion of this course students should:
* have an understanding of the policy-making and managerial processes of the public sector;
* possess the range of skills, the conceptual framework and analytical skills required to identify problems and to analyse alternative solutions;
* have a high level understanding of the political and social environment;
* show expertise across a range of policy and management areas;
* have demonstrated the professional skills for leadership in public service.
Entrance requirements
Intending students should possess a first degree from any faculty in a university or equivalent institution, and they should have had a minimum of two years work experience after completion of that degree. A candidate with a four-year honours degree of at least honours IIA (or equivalent) standard may be exempted from this provision. Where students have had substantial managerial work experience for at least five years prior to or during the acquiring of an undergraduate degree, the requirement for two years work experience after completion of that degree may be waived. Applications will also be considered from non-graduates who possess professional qualifications and have had at least eight years appropriate work experience.
Course structure
The Master of Public Policy and Management program may be undertaken as follows:
Part one
There are nine core subjects chosen to provide broad training in the range of disciplines important for public policy and management.
Part two
Elective subjects or their equivalent, which may comprise:
* seven electives (a small number of half-weighted electives may also be available, with two such subjects equalling one elective);
* a combination of electives and one or more of the following: a reading subject, a research paper, a corporate project, or a thesis.
1 Core subjects
* MBA5270 Public management
* MBA5230 Public policy
* MBA5280 Public sector finance
* MBA5290 Governing the modern state
* MBA5310 Marketing
* MBA5330 Business and government
* MBA5460 Principles of quantitative analysis (or MBA 5550 Quantitative analysis)
* MBA5880 Microeconomics for managers (with the course adviser's consent, either MBA5890 Microeconomics for policy analysis or MBA5300 Health economics)
* MBA6360 Strategic management in the public sector
2 At least two electives from:
* MBA5870 Macroeconomics for managers
* MBA6950 International public administration
* MBA5260 Public sector human resource management
* MBA6440 Public sector financial management
* MBA6410 Public enterprise management
* MBA6940 Development administration
* MBA6370 Public policy process
* MBA6449 Structure and management of cooperative businesses
* MBA6970 Comparative public policy
* MBA6270 Health services law
* MBA6430 Health policy and planning
A wide range of other graduate level subjects in the university may be approved by the course adviser.
The MPPM thesis
The MPPM thesis is offered as an option in the second year of the program to stimulate, to develop and to test the candidate's ability to plan, to carry out and to report on a piece of research. It also provides an opportunity to apply new knowledge and skills to an empirical problem. The thesis normally must be within the area covered by a subject in the program and represent a substantial piece of work of up to 20,000 words. It will be supervised by a person lecturing in the subject to which it is attached or by another suitable member of staff of the faculty. The research paper is regarded as equivalent to four elective subjects and must be submitted within twelve months of its commencement.
Research paper
The research paper (or project) normally must be within the area covered by a subject in the program and represent a substantial piece of work of up to 10,000 words. It will be supervised by a person lecturing in the subject to which it is attached or by another suitable member of staff of the faculty. The research paper is regarded as equivalent to two elective subjects and must be submitted within twelve months of its commencement.
Corporate project
The corporate project requires three-way support from student, staff and host organisation, and concerns problems of strategic importance to the host or client organisation. Projects are to cover the areas of problem identification, problem analysis, problem solution, and implementation. It is equivalent to two elective subjects.
Duration
All requirements for the degree should be completed within two years from the date of enrolment for students who enrol full-time or within four years from the date of enrolment for students who enrol part-time. The degree may be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis. Students taking the course on a part-time basis are required to take the equivalent of two subjects per semester through the course of study. Students who take the degree on a full-time basis are required to take four subjects per semester. Students are normally required to complete the core subjects prior to undertaking the more specialised elective subjects, with Strategic management in the public sector being completed in the final year of study. Some subjects may be offered over the summer semester (end of November to the end of January). By taking subjects over the summer, it is possible for full-time students to complete the MPPM in sixteen months.
Exemptions
As the MPPM program is designed as a cohesive program it is not normal practice to grant exemptions from prescribed studies. However, students who have undertaken postgraduate studies which are comparable to those prescribed for the MPPM degree and would fall within the time limits prescribed, may apply for credit towards the degree.
Substitutions
Other students may be required to substitute subjects for any of the compulsory subjects which they have studied previously. For example, students who have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate study of microeconomics will not normally be allowed to enrol for MBA5880 (Microeconomics).
Except with the approval of the dean they will also be required to substitute another subject for MBA5460 (Principles of quantitative analysis) if they have passed a third-year unit in business statistics; MBA5870 (Macroeconomics for managers) if they have passed courses of at least two semesters' duration concerning macroeconomics.
Students required to take substitute subjects may select from any of the electives permitted. Substitution may also be required in relation to elective subjects in appropriate cases.
Assessment of performance
Candidature may be terminated at any time if progress is regarded as unsatisfactory. Normally, however, performances will be reviewed at the end of each semester, and if they do not reach the required standard students will not be permitted to continue with the course. Students will be given their results by marks and grading of high distinction (HD), distinction (D), credit (C), pass (P) or fail (N) in each subject.
Enrolment and re-enrolment procedures
Applications for the March intake each year normally close on 2 October of the preceding year. Appropriate forms may be obtained from the MPPM program convenor. Additional procedures for international students, including July entry to the program, are described in the Student information handbook. The candidates selected will be required to attend an interview to discuss their proposed course with the course adviser and to submit a formal enrolment. These interviews will normally be scheduled during January or February.
Approval for the selection of subjects and a topic for the MPPM thesis must be obtained from the dean of the faculty or the dean's nominee. Candidates must obtain this approval each year before enrolling.
Leave of absence
Students may apply for leave of absence from the program. By granting such leave the faculty reserves a place in the program, and the period of approved leave is not counted in the time limit for completion of the degree. Leave of absence is normally for periods up to one year and must be approved.