Master of Public Policy

The Master of Public Policy will give you a multi-disciplinary understanding of the role of government in economic activity and public policy decision making. The course focuses on how government interacts with the economy and society. Topics include economic growth, stability, taxation, infrastructure provision, regulation, health, defense, education, and social security. It integrates theory and practice to enhance knowledge and practical skills that enable you to respond proactively and strategically to public, economic, and social needs. You may choose to complete specializations in Economics or Public Administration and Governance or both.

About The Course

With seminars led by scholars, the course is complemented with guest lectures from leading practitioners, and case studies that provide students with multiple opportunities to apply what they have learned to effectively address public, social, and economic issues. Students may choose to complete specializations in Economics or Public Administration and Governance or both.

In the Economics specialization, students will study the role of markets and government in the economy and methods of economic evaluation. This is an applied economics program, focusing on a wide range of areas, including finance, taxation, health, housing, education, transport, utilities, trade, development and the environment. Taking a global perspective, this specialization mixes theory and practice to develop the competencies of professionals working in increasingly complex public, corporate, or not-for-profit organizations either in Australia or internationally.

The Public Administration and Governance specialization prepares students to become future leaders of government organizations and non-profit organizations. It is also designed for students who are keen to pursue a managerial career in private businesses working with the government. It equips students with a strong academic foundation to their work, and the analytical and problem-solving skills to meet new challenges in public policy-making and governance in our rapidly changing world. It consists of two pathways: coursework only; and coursework and dissertation.

Course Structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units.

Conversion

Students may be required to complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points, as advised by the Faculty:

Core - Group A

Take all units (12 points):

• ECON5516 The Economics of Public Policy (6)
• LAWS5214 Public Policy (6)
• Economics specialization

Take all units (30 points):

• ECON5514 Economic Research and Evaluation Methods (6)
• ECON5515 Economic Growth and Institutions (6)
• ECON5517 Public Finance (6)
• ECON5519 Public Economics (6)
• ECON5540 Economic Analysis and Policy (6)

Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:

• ECON4408 Advanced Development Economics (6)
• ECON4410 Environmental and Resource Economics (6)
• ECON4450 Advanced International Trade (6)
• ECON5506 The Economics of Financial Markets (6)
• ECON5518 Economics of Global Health and Policy (6)

Take unit(s) to the value of 18 points:

• ECON5502 International Finance and Markets (6)
• LAWS5224 Foundations of Public International Law (6)
• LAWS5227 Foundations of Law and Governance (6)
• LAWS5378 Government Accountability—Law and Practice (6)
• LAWS5507 International Oil and Gas Law (6)
• MKTG5505 Marketing and Society (6)
• PLNG5511 Climate Change Policy and Planning (6)
• POLS5503 Public Administration (6)
• POLS5504 Public Sector Leadership in Practice (6)
• POLS5505 Regulation and Governance (6)
• POLS5672 Critical Perspectives in International Development (6)
• POLS5683 US Foreign Policy (6)
• PUBH5749 Foundations of Public Health (6)
• SOCS5010 NGOs, Governance, and Development (6)
• SOCS5501 Evaluation (6)
• SOCS5502 Conservation, Development, and Sustainability (6)

Public Administration and Governance specialization

Take all units (30 points):

• POLS5503 Public Administration (6)
• POLS5504 Public Sector Leadership in Practice (6)
• POLS5505 Regulation and Governance (6)
• SOCS5010 NGOs, Governance, and Development (6)
• SOCS5501 Evaluation (6)

For students in the course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points from this group. For students in the course by coursework and dissertation, take unit(s) to the value of 6 points from either Group F or Group G.

• ANTH4101 Advanced Qualitative Methods: Interviews and Focus Groups (6)
• COMM5604 Media Governance (6)
• POLS5672 Critical Perspectives in International Development (6)
• POLS5683 US Foreign Policy (6)
• SOCS5502 Conservation, Development, and Sustainability (6)

For students in the course by coursework only, take units to the value of 18 points from this group.

• ECON5514 Economic Research and Evaluation Methods (6)
• ECON5515 Economic Growth and Institutions (6)
• ECON5517 Public Finance (6)
• ECON5518 Economics of Global Health and Policy (6)
• ECON5540 Economic Analysis and Policy (6)
• EDUC5658 Education Policy Trends: Global to Local (6)
• LAWS5227 Foundations of Law and Governance (6)
• LAWS5305 Mediation: Practice and Skills (6)
• LAWS5378 Government Accountability—Law and Practice (6)
• LAWS5521 Climate Change Law and Emissions Trading (6)
• PLNG5511 Climate Change Policy and Planning (6)
• PUBH5749 Foundations of Public Health (6)
• SCIE4481 Good, Bogus and Corrupted Science (6)
• SOCS5003 Research Design (6)
• SOCS5101 Social Sciences Professional Placement 1 (6)
• SOCS5911 Fieldwork in Complex and Hostile Places Part 1 (6)

For students in the course by coursework and dissertation, take unit(s) to the value of 24 points from this group.

• SOCS5003 Research Design (6)
• SOCS5551 Master's Dissertation 1 (6)
• SOCS5552 Master's Dissertation 2 (6)
• SOCS5553 Master's Dissertation 3 (6)

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a)(i) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognized by UWA; and

(ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 60 percent; or

(iii) a valid Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) of no more than 5 years old with a score of at least 550; or

(iv) at least five years of relevant documented professional experience considered by UWA to be sufficient to permit satisfactory completion of the course;

or

(b) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognized by UWA; and

(i) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 60 percent; and

(ii) successful completion of the UWA Pre-Master's Program in Business with a weighted average mark of at least 60 percent (for applicants with an overall IELTS score of at least 6 with no band less than 5.5); or

(iii) successful completion of the UWA Pre-Master's Program in Business with a weighted average mark of at least 60 percent; and

(iv) successful completion of a ten-week CELT course (with a grade of at least B+) (for applicants with an overall IELTS score of at least.5 with no band less than 5.0);

or

(c) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognized by UWA; and

(i) successful completion of the UWA Pre-Master's Program in Business with a weighted average mark of at least 60 percent; and

(ii) successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Commerce with a weighted average mark of at least 65 percent (for applicants with an overall IELTS score of at least 6 with no band less than 5.5); or

(iii) successful completion of the UWA Pre-Master's Program in Business with a weighted average mark of at least 60 percent; and

(iv) successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Commerce with a weighted average mark of at least 65 percent; and

(v) successful completion of a ten-week CELT course (with a grade of at least B+) (for applicants with an overall IELTS score of at least 5.5 with no band less than 5.0).

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Career Pathways

The Master of Public Policy is designed to nurture future leaders of government and non-profit organizations. Graduates may be employed as police officers, analysts, managers, and executives in government departments and agencies.

Course Accreditation

UWA Business School is accredited internationally by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. AACSB is a worldwide, not-for-profit membership organisation of educational institutions, businesses and other entities devoted to the advancement of management education.

Quick Details

Status

• Available 2018

Locations

• Perth

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Delivery

• On-campus

Starting dates

• Semester 2, Semester 1

Weekly contact time

• Up to 12 contact hours per week, plus additional time for study and group work

Level of study

• Postgraduate

Course Code

• 42580

CRICOS code

• 093562G

Full time/part time duration

• 2 years (or 1.5 years with a relevant undergraduate degree as assessed by Faculty)

Degrees course is available in

• Master of Public Policy

Why choose UWA

Explore our campuses and facilities, get to know the history of our State’s oldest university and discover why a UWA degree can set you up for the careers of the future, not just the jobs of tomorrow.

We're proud to rank first in Western Australia and place in the Top 100 of universities globally.

No1 - Equal first overall for student demand and research

7 - Seven of our subjects are ranked in the world's Top 50

Top 100 - Ranked 96th in the Top 100 of universities around the world

Five reasons to study at UWA

Find out what inspires people to pursue their goals with us.

Vibrant student experience

Adjacent to the Swan River, our Perth campus is among the most picturesque in Australia with iconic sandstone buildings sitting among heritage-listed gardens. We’re just 10 minutes from Perth’s main shopping and business district and close to many of the city’s stunning beaches.

On campus, you’ll have an array of essential amenities to enjoy, including cafés, libraries, bookshops, a vibrant cultural precinct and tonnes of clubs and societies to join and experience student life to its fullest. Our supportive Student Guild means you can try your hand at volunteering, get independent advice on a range of matters or attend one of the many varied events on and off campus.

Innovative course structure

Whatever goals you may have, a UWA degree creates a world of possibilities. About 40 percent of today’s jobs won’t exist in 20 years’ time (CEDA, 2015), so we believe in better preparation for the careers of the future.

Our innovative course structure is the only one of its kind in WA and is based on a global model. It means you can pursue your interests and maximise your career opportunities at the same time. This flexibility sets you apart from the crowd and is key to future-proofing your career.

Rankings and ratings

We place equal first overall in Australia for student demand, graduate starting salaries, research intensity and research grants based on key measures in the Good Universities Guide 2016. The QS World Rankings has given us its highest rating possible – 5 Stars+ – and we rank in the top one percent of universities worldwide. Seven of our subject areas are ranked in the world’s Top 50, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Graduate outcomes

Your UWA degree is an investment in your future. Our graduates consistently exceed the national average starting salaries and State graduate employment rates. We celebrate strong industry partnerships, offering you practical, real-world experiences in addition to valuable professional networking opportunities. This hands-on learning approach is highly valued by employers and ensures you’re career-ready. Our alumni continue to inspire and bring about a positive impact on society.

Changing the world through research

As a research-intensive university, we’re part of the Group of Eight (a coalition of top research universities in the country) and one of only two Australian members of the Worldwide Universities Network. We’re also a foundation member of the Matariki Network of high-quality, research-intensive universities with a particular focus on student experience.

Over the years, we’ve continued to attract high-calibre, globally recognised staff, researchers and students, including our Nobel Laureate Professor Barry Marshall, and we receive about 80 percent of all research funding to WA universities annually.

Industry connections

At UWA you'll not only study towards a degree but have the opportunity to gain valuable experience towards your future career.

Mentoring

Connect with an industry professional for one-on-one advice and develop your skills.

Not-for-credit experience

Our network of industry placements allows you to find uncredited placements.

Placement for credit

For-credit placements or practicums are arranged as part of your degree.