MC216 - Master of Public Policy

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Plan: MC216 - Master of Public Policy
Campus: City Campus

Overview

Program details
Purpose of the Program
Articulation and pathways
Entrance requirements
External accreditation and industry links
Student expenses and charges in addition to fees
Library, IT and specialist resources

Program details

Award title: Master of Public Policy
Award abbreviation: MPubPol
Total credit points: 192
Career: PGRD
Duration: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time, reduced duration available
Location: Onshore, City campus
Owning school: Global, Urban and Social Studies (365H)
Owning school URL: www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/global-urban-and-social-studies
ASCED code: 090100
CRICOS code: 079593F

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Purpose of the Program

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is a two-year full time postgraduate program for current and aspiring policy actors. The program is designed to support your development as a professional policy actor in the ‘art and craft’ of policy making able to work effectively across both government and non-government sectors. Politics, governance and uncertainty shape policy responses to complex issues and social problems, and the new and enduring challenges facing communities locally, nationally and globally. The program will provide you with transferrable skills for making policy, thinking and planning strategically, using evidence to shape decisions, leading and managing change, advocacy and representation, and developing ethical and reflective practice.

The MPP program of study is informed by RMIT’s unique approach to meeting the challenge of being ready for life and work: offering an education deeply grounded in ideas and cross-disciplinary understanding, applied through innovative, enterprising practice to solving problems and meeting the needs of our community. This means your study of public policy will combine a mix of robust and challenging theoretical ideas drawn from the social sciences to support your critical thinking and research capacity development, workshop engagement with key tools and techniques for contemporary policy making and individual, industry-based policy research experience. You are able to complete the program face to face or a blend of face to face and online.

A capstone experience designed around a research project relating to your professional context will enable you to synthesize and integrate your knowledge, connect theory and practice as well as demonstrate your holistic achievement of the program learning outcomes. You will creatively explore real-world issues, simulating the role of policy worker in the professional practice context. 

The program is designed to support your professional development as a policy change agent, able to confidently engage fully with complex problems, incorporate cross disciplinary knowledge and partners, use innovative and enterprising ideas and have the courage to deliver just and sustainable change.

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Articulation and pathways

If you have already developed areas of skill and knowledge included in this program (for example, through prior studies or work experience), you can apply for credit once you have enrolled in this program.

If you have gained one of the following qualifications in policy, politics, sociology or social work, you will be eligible for masters exemptions relevant to your qualification level as stated in the table below. Please note that credit granted towards masters exemptions cannot be transferred to an exit award such as a graduate certificate or graduate diploma.

Qualification level Exemptions Remaining program duration
Bachelor Degree 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study)
Bachelor honours degree 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)
Graduate certificate 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study)
Graduate diploma 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)

Applicants with a bachelor honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters degree qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for credit transfers of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study). 

Upon successful completion this  program, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate research programs, subject to each program’s entry requirements.

The Graduate Diploma in Public Policy (GD068) is available as an exit award of this program if you have successfully completed the 96 credit points listed in this structure. If you wish to exit early with the Graduate Diploma you must have completed all 96 credit points or have been granted credit for previous study at an equivalent level (AQF 8). 

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Entrance requirements

You must have successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) with a minimum GPA 2.5 (out of 4.0), or significant work experience or professional practice

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.

English language requirement

A minimum of IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent. For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English requirements web page.

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External accreditation and industry links

In Australia there are no professional bodies that recognise or accredit studies in public policy.

The program has strong links with industry, including an active Program Advisory Committee with industry representation and active involvement in collaborative research projects. Industry representatives contribute to student learning through Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and guest lectures. Graduates of the program secure work in in government and non-government organisations

In addition the program is strongly aligned with RMIT’s Centre for Applied Social Research (CASR) which undertakes research and promotes public debate on key areas of social change and social policy. The Centre works closely with a range of community organizations, government departments, local governments and the union movement.

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Student expenses and charges in addition to fees

Once you are enrolled as a student in this program you will need to allow for expenses other than university tuition fees.  Additional expenses may relate to the purchase of lecture notes, textbooks, stationery, consumables such as printer paper, fees levied by commercial internet service providers for internet access outside of the university campus, and other relevant costs.

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Library, IT and specialist resources

Library resources and services

As a student enrolled in a program at RMIT University you can access the extensive services, facilities and study space provided by the Library. You can access books, journals and other course related materials, such as DVDs, past exams, newspapers and e-books. Through our document delivery service you can also request items from any library in the world.

Computers for study are available at every Library site, where you can access the Internet, myRMIT (www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit) or Library e-resources. If you have a laptop you can access the RMIT University wireless network in the Library. Library staff can show you how to find information for your assignments or you can work through web-based tutorials or use our online Ask a Librarian service. The Library is continually expanding our electronic collections to make it easier for you to get the information you need when you need it. All RMIT University students have unlimited access to quality electronic resources such as, e-books, ejournals and newspapers.

You can find more information on Library resources and services at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library

Online learning tools and content

You can access online learning tools and content for your program and associated courses at myRMIT
www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit

Services available to you as a student at RMIT University

RMIT University provides a wide range of resources and opportunities to assist your learning and wellbeing so you can achieve your study and career goals.

  • Services are available face to face and online assisting with:
  • transition to tertiary study and learning
  • study skills, academic skills including literacy, mathematics and basic sciences if relevant
  • enabling assistance if you have a disability, long term medical condition or other form of disadvantage which may impact on your learning
  • career development and employment
  • living and wellbeing (including advice on health, housing and financial matters)
  • opportunities for scholarships, leadership and study abroad
  • opportunities for participating in arts, sport, recreation, fitness activities as well as student activism and university governance

We also offer a friendly and supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. You can find more information at www.rmit.edu.au/students

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