Program Overview
The Master of Public Policy at the University of Western Australia is a multidisciplinary program that equips students with a comprehensive understanding of government's role in economic activity, administration, and legal decision-making. Through a blend of theory and practice, students can specialize in Economics, Public Administration and Governance, or Law, preparing them for careers in government, non-profit, and private sector organizations committed to the public interest. The program is accredited by EQUIS and AACSB, ensuring its high quality and recognition.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Public Policy is a postgraduate degree designed to equip students with a multidisciplinary understanding of the role of government in economic activity, public administration and governance, and legal decision-making. The program aims to nurture current and future leaders of government, non-profit, and private sector organizations that are aimed at pursuing the public interest. The course focuses on how government interacts with the economy, law and society. Topics taught include: economic growth, stability, taxation, infrastructure provision, regulation, health, defence, education, comparative law, theories of justice and punishment, public international law and social security. The program integrates theory and practice to enhance knowledge and practical skills that enable students to respond proactively and strategically to public, economic, and social needs. Students can choose to complete any one of the three specialisations: Economics, Public Administration and Governance, or Law. They can also choose to complete a combination of two of these specialisations.
Outline:
The Master of Public Policy program is structured as follows:
- Core Units (Public Policy Program): All students must complete 24 points of core units, which include:
- ECON5516 The Economics of Public Policy (6 points)
- LAWS5260 Intersections of Law, Policy and Government (6 points)
- POLS5501 The Politics of Public Policy (6 points)
- POLS5504 Public Sector Leadership in Practice (6 points)
- Specialisations: Students must complete 24 points in one nominated specialisation. The specialisations are:
- Economics:
- ECON5514 Economic Research and Evaluation Methods (6 points)
- ECON5519 Public Economics (6 points)
- Students can choose 12 points from a group of elective units, including:
- ECON4408 Advanced Development Economics (6 points)
- ECON4410 Environmental and Resource Economics (6 points)
- ECON5515 Economic Growth and Institutions (6 points)
- ECON5517 Public Finance (6 points)
- ECON5518 Economics of Global Health and Policy (6 points)
- ECON5540 Economic Analysis and Policy (6 points)
- Law:
- Students with a law background take LAWS5215 Theory & Practice of Risk Regulation (6 points)
- Students without a law background take LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions (6 points)
- Students can choose 18 points from a group of elective units, including:
- LAWS4001 Oceans Governance (6 points)
- LAWS5114 International Environmental Law (6 points)
- LAWS5167 Comparative Legal Method (6 points)
- LAWS5175 Heritage Governance: from Global to Local (6 points)
- LAWS5223 Theories for Contemporary Criminal Justice (6 points)
- LAWS5224 Foundations of Public International Law (6 points)
- LAWS5226 International Human Rights Law (6 points)
- LAWS5230 Aviation Law (6 points)
- LAWS5378 Government Accountability—Law and Practice (6 points)
- LAWS5521 Climate Change Law and Emissions Trading (6 points)
- LAWS5540 Environmental Protection Law (6 points)
- LAWS5577 Space and Satellite Law (6 points)
- LAWS5694 Research Paper I (6 points)
- LAWS5695 Research Paper II (12 points)
- Public Administration and Governance:
- POLS5503 Public Administration (6 points)
- POLS5505 Regulation and Governance (6 points)
- Students can choose 12 points from a group of elective units, including:
- COMM5604 Media Governance (6 points)
- POLS5010 NGOs, Governance and Development (6 points)
- POLS5301 Democracy in Divided Societies (6 points)
- POLS5686 International Norms, Ethics and Human Rights (6 points)
- SWSP5611 Indigenous Policy and Practice (6 points)
- Work Integrated Learning (Group 1): Students can choose up to 6 points from a group of units, including:
- PARL5599 WA Parliamentary Research Program (6 points)
- SVLG5003 Wicked Problems (6 points)
- WILG5001 Work Integrated Learning Internship Program (6 points)
- Dissertation (Group 2): Students in the course by coursework and dissertation can choose units to the value of 24 points from this group, including:
- SOCS4100 Social Sciences Research Skills (6 points)
- SOCS5551 Master's Dissertation Part 1 (6 points)
- SOCS5552 Master's Dissertation Part 2 (6 points)
Teaching:
The program is taught through a combination of seminars led by scholars and guest lectures from leading practitioners. Case studies are used to provide students with multiple opportunities to apply what they have learned to effectively address public, social, economic and legal issues.
Careers:
Graduates of the Master of Public Policy program can work in a wide variety of public areas, ranging from policy analysis, through to management of departments and agencies. They may be employed in all levels of government, in the not-for-profit sector, in consulting firms and in international organisations. Potential career paths include:
- Social entrepreneurs
- Policy analysts
- Consultants to government The program is accredited through both EQUIS, the European Quality Improvement System, and AACSB, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
