Program Comparison Highlights
Institutional Structure: TO COME
Curriculum Design: TO COME
Professional Program Features: TO COME
Program Summary
Website: http://courses.mq.edu.au/international/postgraduate/master/master-of-politics-and-public-policy
University: Macquarie University
Location: Sydney, Australia. Domestic candidates may also pursue the course by distance learning.
Degree: MPPP (Master of Politics and Public Policy)
Marketing Approach: "Whether you’re in the private sector but work with government departments, or want to develop a career in public, voluntary or political work – the Master of Politics and Public Policy will further your career. Our students come from a wide range of countries and professional backgrounds, from public health, Indigenous affairs, education, immigration and taxation to crime control, environmental protection, resource management, community services and human rights.” (at http://courses.mq.edu.au/postgraduate/master/master-of-politics-and-public-policy, accessed 3 September 2014).
Degrees Awarded per Year: TBD [Information will be requested from the School]
Academic Unit within University: Department of Modern History, Politics and International Relations, within the Faculty of Arts.
Related Academic Units and Degrees: The University also offers a Master of International Law, Governance and Public Policy. Additionally, several undergraduate degrees in or related to public policy are offered (see http://mq-search.funnelback.com/search/search.cgi?query=public+policy&meta_Y_orsand=2015&daat=0&collection=mq-edu-coursefinder, accessed 3 September 2014).
Posted Tuition:
Concentration/Curriculum Overview:
MPA Degree Requirements
Summary: Candidates are required to complete seven core courses, and then select two courses from one category and three from another, for a total of twelve courses.
Duration: 1.5 years (full-time).
Academic Prerequisite: An Australian level 7 bachelor’s qualification or recognized equivalent (with GPA of 2.5 of 4.0) in politics, international relations, law, sociology, media, communications, history, cultural studies, or a related discipline. Candidates must also have relevant work experience.
Number of One-Semester-Equivalent Courses Required for Completion: 12 (48 credits)
Note 1: In this calculation we are making the assumption that a 4-credit graduate-level course at Macquarie is equivalent to a one-semester course in North America. This leads equivalency leads to a rate of credit accumulation (4 courses per semester) that is comparable to many North American programs but lower than that that assumed in the UK where many programs accumulate 180 CATS credits (assumed to be equivalent to 15 one-semester courses) over a year of continuous study. An alternative calculation, based on an 'hours of work" equivalency would give a slightly higher equivalency.
The Macquarie statement of workload, presumably directed primarily at undergraduates where 3-credit courses are the norm (http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/courses/next_step_pathway_and_non-award_study/next_step/planning_your_studies/s, accessed 17 September 2014) says:
"At Macquarie University, a 9 or 12 credit-point workload is considered to be full time for one session. There are 3 credit-points to each unit/subject, therefore equating to 3 or 4 units per session. ... To estimate the time required to attend lectures and tutorials (or listen to recorded lectures on Echo360), research at the Library and to complete assignments; you should multiply each credit point of your enrolment by three (3) hours. Therefore for one 3 credit-point unit you should expect to commit nine (9) hours of your time per week to your studies."
This calculation implies that a 4-credit course would require 9 x 4/3 = 12 hours per week, or 144 hours for a 12-week course. This is 144/120 (i.e., 6/5 or 1.2) times that assumed for a one-semester course. This alternative formulation would imply that each Macquarie 4-credit course is equivalent to 1.2 one-semester courses and the number of one-semester course required for completion is 12 x 1.2 = 14.4.
Number of Required Courses: 7 (7 four-credit courses).
Number of Electives Typically Taken: 5 (5 four-credit courses).
Note 2: Some of the elective courses can be considered "required-electives" as described in the PEACO Algorithm. In the Course Map below, those courses marked as 3R/8 are on the list where the requirement is specified as 12 credit points (3 courses) from a list of 8 courses.
Number of Electives Offered within Program: 42
Comprehensive Examination: No.
Thesis Required: No.
Internship Required: Optional.
International Study Required: No.
Co-curricular Activities Supportive to Degree
Professional Development and Career Support: No information available.
Student-run Journal: No.
Applied Projects: No.
Pro Bono Consulting: No.
Courses Offered: A full list of available courses is accessible at http://courses.mq.edu.au/postgraduate/master/master-of-politics-and-public-policy (accessed 3 September 2014).