Griffith GBS

Website: https://www148.griffith.edu.au/degree-career-finder/Program/CourseListAndRequirements?programCode=5580&studentType=Domestic

University: Griffith University

Location: Brisbane, Australia

Degree: MPA

Marketing Approach: "This program provides the necessary breadth and depth of public management skills to advance your career both within the public sector and in the increasingly important area of the private-public sector interface. Experts from across the Griffith Business School teach into the program, drawing on a wide-range of discipline knowledge applied to both business and government contexts. The teaching team consists of academics with experience working in a variety of governmental roles and those at the cutting edge of public sector research and analysis. A public administration qualification is globally recognised and this program is designed to fit around your busy professional and personal schedules.” (At https://www148.griffith.edu.au/degree-career-finder/Program/OverviewAndFees?programCode=5580&studentType=Domestic, accessed 3 September 2014).

Degrees Awarded per Year: TBD [Information will be requested from the School]. Statistics may be available as this is a new program, having replaced the one-year MPAdmin offered by the school and retired in 2013.

Academic Unit within University: Griffith Business School

Related Academic Units and Degrees: 

Posted Tuition: Approximately $29,640 AUD over the course of the program (based on full degree, not advanced standing). At https://www148.griffith.edu.au/degree-career-finder/Program/OverviewAndFees?programCode=5580&studentType=Domestic, accessed 3 September 2014).

Concentration/Curriculum Overview:

MPA Degree Requirements

Summary:  The MPA can be taken according to the standard pathway, or with a 20,000-25,000 word dissertation (“dissertation pathway”) written over the course of two semesters. The length of the programs is identical.

Duration: 1.5 years full-time; 3 years part-time.

Academic Prerequisite: A bachelor degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.5 on a 7.0 scale, three years of relevant work experience in the public sector or equivalent, or have completed a Graduate Certificate with a GPA of 5.0 on a 7.0 scale. Candidates who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Policy Analysis at the school will be awarded 40 credit points of advanced standing towards the Masters Program and must only complete 80 credits for graduation.

Standard Pathway

Number of One-Semester-Equivalent Courses Required for Completion: 12 courses over three semesters, totaling 120 credits.

Number of Required Courses: 9 (90 credits, each required course is 10 credits).

Number of Electives Typically Taken 3 (30 credits, each elective course is 10 credits).

Number of Electives Offered within Program: 12

Dissertation Pathway

Number of One-Semester-Equivalent Courses Required for Completion: 12: 9 courses over three semesters plus MPA dissertation, totaling 120 credits.

Number of Required Courses: 12 (90 credits, each required course is 10 credits), and 30-credit dissertation.

Number of Electives Typically Taken: 0

Number of Electives Offered within Program: 0

Comprehensive Examination: No.

Thesis Required: Only in dissertation pathway. Thesis must be 20,000-25,000 words long and is written over the course of two semesters.

Internship Required: No.

International Study Required: No.

Co-curricular Activities Supportive to Degree

Professional Development and Career Support: No.

Student-run Journal: No.

Applied Projects: No.

Pro Bono Consulting: No.

Courses Offered: A list of currently-offered courses is available at https://www148.griffith.edu.au/degree-career-finder/Program/CourseListAndRequirements?programCode=5580&studentType=Domestic#C0000008618 (accessed 3 September 2014).

Course Material Online: Course descriptions are available; syllabi are not.