Humanities and Social Sciences

Master of Public Policy

  • Domestic
  • International
  • Duration

    2 years full-time or part-time equiv.
  • Start Dates

    February and July
  • Location

    North Terrace Campus

About Degree

Conceive and create the frameworks of society  

Public policy shapes our lives. It governs everything from how we do business, to how our health, welfare and education systems operate, and how our nation engages with the world.

Those who set and/or influence policy can create profound change by improving things like community equity, diversity, wellbeing, security and prosperity. Our Master of Public Policy prepares you to take the lead.

   

What will you do?

The Master’s program is studied over two years full-time, or 18 months if extending a past bachelor degree.

It provides specialist knowledge in policy processes and governance institutions; advanced skills in policy analysis and research; and the capability to design and implement sound policy in complex environments.

Highly interdisciplinary, the degree integrates knowledge from the University’s world-class experts in: politics; international relations; economics; law; environmental and social sciences; strategic communications; philosophy and more. You will gain:

  • deep understanding of political, legal and ethical issues affecting public policy
  • broad awareness of public policy’s underlying economic principles
  • advanced skills in community engagement and its analysis
  • the opportunity to explore interests in specialist areas, such as international trade, human rights, environmental planning and governance, global food and agribusiness, public health, education and more
  • high-level research skills, through a major final-year research project.

 

Where could it take you?

You might pursue a career in politics or the public service. You could analyse and develop policy in a major industry body or consulting firm. Perhaps you’ll interpret policy and advise on its application for a large company, a lobbying organisation, or not-for-profit.


Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.I am a:

  • Domestic
  • International

    Domestic applicants

    SATAC Code3CM240, 3CM267
    DefermentYes - 2 year
    IntakeFebruary and July
    Selection Criteria
    Graduate entry


    Higher Education Study48 unit (2 years) Pathway (3CM240):
    Bachelor degree or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4.0; OR
    Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy; OR
    Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Public Policy

    36 unit (1.5 years) Pathway:
    Bachelor degree (minimum GPA 4.0) in the following FoE codes: 090101 (Political Science) or 090103 (Policy Studies); OR
    Relevant cognate discipline: public administration, environmental policy / environmental studies, public health / health policy, economics, international relations, urban and regional planning; OR
    Bachelor degree (minimum GPA 4.0) and 3 years relevant professional work experience.
    Applicants must provide a detailed Curriculum Vitae with their application.; OR
    6 years relevant professional work experience.
    Applicants must provide a detailed Curriculum Vitae with their application.;


    Student Profile
    Applicant backgroundSemester one/Full year intake 2022
    Number of studentsPercentage of all students
    International studentsN/AN/A
    All students2100.0%


    International applicants

    CRICOS103553K
    IntakeFebruary and July
    Selection Criteria
    English Language Requirements

    Australian Year 12Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject
    English Tests accepted by the University of APSB
    IELTSOverall 6.5Reading 6Listening 6Speaking 6Writing 6





    TOEFLOverall 79Reading 13Listening 13Speaking 18Writing 21





    PearsonOverall 58Reading 50Listening 50Speaking 50Writing 50





    C1 AdvancedOverall 176Reading 169Listening 169Speaking 169Writing 169





    Qualifications that meet minimum English requirementsA range of alternative qualifications may meet the University’s minimum English requirements
    Academic Entry Requirements

    Detailed information on international qualifications assessment

    Tertiary QualificationsBachelor degree or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4.0;OR
    Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy;OR
    Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Public Policy
    How to Apply
    Application information for international students
    Important application deadlines for international students

    Student Profile
    Applicant backgroundSemester one/Full year intake 2022
    Number of studentsPercentage of all students
    International studentsN/AN/A
    All students2100.0%


Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.I am a:

  • Domestic
  • International

    Domestic applicants

    Indicative annual tuition fees
    Australian Full-fee place: $30,000

    Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

    Scholarships

    These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.


    International applicants

    Indicative annual tuition fees (24 units)International student place: $39,500

    Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

    More information on International Student tuition fees.

    Scholarships

    These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.


Careers

Potential careers

Project Manager, Project Officer, Diplomat, Diplomatic corps, Resource Management, Resource Manager, Risk Analyst, Environment Protection Officer, Environmental Compliance Officer, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Economist, Environmental Management, Environmental Manager, Environmental Project Officer, Environmental Remediation Officer, Social Worker, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Aid Worker, Sustainability Manager, Government Policy Advisor, Government or Corporate Policy Adviser, UN Human Rights Officer, ...


Degree Structure

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

To qualify for the degree of Master of Public Policy (2 years pathway), the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following courses with a combined total of not less than 48 units, comprising:
1. Core courses to the value of 15 units
2. Research dissertation to the value of 12 units
3. Elective courses to the value of 21 units

To qualify for the degree of Master of Public Policy (1.5 years pathway), the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following courses with a combined total of not less than 36 units, comprising:
1. Core courses to the value of 12 units
2. Research dissertation to the value of 12 units
3. Elective courses to the value of 12 units

Example Study Plan



Example Indicative study plan for the Master of Public Policy (2 years pathway, 48 units)
Year 1GEOG 7009 
Research Methods
POLICY 7002 
Ethics and Politics in Policy
ECON 7200 
Economics Principles
POLICY 7001 
Fundamentals of Public Policy
(Winter School only)
GEOG 7016 
Community Engagement:
Techniques and Analysis
Elective courseElective courseElective course
Year 2Elective courseElective courseElective courseElective course
POLICY 7003 
Public Policy Dissertation (12 units)
Elective courses
Students must complete elective courses to the value of 21 units from the list:
AGRIBUS 7054  Global Food & Agricultural Policy Analysis  (3 units)
AGRIBUS 7057  Trends & Issues in the World Food System (3 units)
AGRIBUS 7064  Water Security and Governance (3 units)
ECON 7016  Resource & Environmental Economics PG (3 units)
ECON 7032  Public Economics PG (3 units)
ECON 7058  Development Economics PG (3 units)
ECON 7228  Behavioural Economics IID (3 units)
EDUC 7550  Education Policies & Systems (3 units)
GEOG 7002  Environmental Planning and Governance (6 units)
GEOG 7003  Environmental Impact Assessment (6 units)
GEOG 7013  Sustainable Cities: Climate Change and Planning (3 units)
GEOG 7015  Introduction to Urbanisation (3 unit)
LAW 7170  Public International Law (3 units)
LAW 7177  Introduction to Australian Law (3 units)
LAW 7192  Government, Law and Policy (3 units)
PLANNING 7034  Planning Policy and Regulation (3 units)
PLANNING 7035  Planning Theory and Practice (3 units)
POLIS 7004  International Relations in the Indo-Pacific Region (6 units)
PUB HLTH 7090  Global Public Health (3 units)
PUB HLTH 7091  Public Health Evaluation and Economics (3 units)
PUB HLTH 7092  Health Systems, Systems Thinking & Advocacy for Change (3 units)
PUB HLTH 7093  Promoting Health in Individuals and Populations (3 units)
PUB HLTH 7096  Making Healthy Public Policy (3 units)
PUB HLTH 7147OL  Health Technology Assessment (3 units)
SCIENCE 7035  Emerging Issues in Science and Society (3 units)
TRADE 5000  International Trade: Negotiations & Agreements (3 units)
TRADE 5001  International Trade: Strategies & Opportunities (3 units)
TRADE 7004  Principles of International Trade and Development (3 units)
TRADE 7005  Agriculture and Food in International Trade (3 units)

Research
Students must complete a research dissertation of not longer than 20,000 words.


RECOGNITION AND AFFILIATIONS

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