Online Masters Programmes
in Public Management
professional development for
public managers
Enquiries
Helen Smith,
Programme Manager
Email: spsw-online@york.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1094 321273
Ellen Roberts,
Programme Director
Email: er12@york.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1094 321250
Student profiles - MA Public Policy and Management
- Simon Pickering, Passenger Link Manager, Passenger Focus, UK.
- Laurence Buhagiar, Senior Programme Monitor
- Robin Speer, Vice President, Public Affairs, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, Canada.
- Liz Terry, Executive Director, Strategy & Resources, Oldham Council, UK.
- Dorina Tocaj, Doctor and Health Promotion Specialist, USAID funded project with Albanian Ministry of Health, Albania.
Simon Pickering
Passenger Link Manager, Passenger Focus
Why the University of York?
I wanted to study by distance, preferably online, so the course being available in that format was important. The university has a good overall reputation, and for public policy in particular, so that was also a factor. I also like York as a city, which was somehow still important even though there was no requirement to go there.
Career Development
From a career perspective, I had gradually moved into roles with a significant public policy focus without having any formal training in this area. Consequently, I wanted to gain a solid understanding of the discipline to inform my work and also to remove the doubt that there was some ‘magic’ I didn’t know about. I also felt that a formal qualification, allied to my work experience, would better establish my credentials in the field and thereby aid my career mobility and progression. Also, I enjoy learning, so was quite happy to return to study.
Masters in Public Policy and Management
I chose this programme as it was specifically on public policy, which was what I was looking for. Within the field it was also broad-based which was important as I didn’t want to concentrate too much on any one particular field.
I was slightly concerned that there seemed to be a concentration on social policy, but there did seem to be sufficient other options to enable a broad area of study. Similarly, I was particularly interested in theory and skills-based content, rather than subject area content, and this seemed to be well represented in the course.
Online study
I had studied online before, so was well prepared for it. I prefer it to traditional learning because I’m quite self-motivated, so don’t need the ‘shackles’ of classroom attendance to keep me going.
Also, in an increasingly globalised and decentralised environment online study is often quite a reasonable reflection of the workplace - I’m currently a home-based, peripatetic worker for a government agency, so a lot of my working time is spent working remotely and making use of modern communications technology to stay in touch with colleagues.
The flexibility of e-learning
I thought the balance of flexibility within structure was very well handled.
Part of the reason to study by distance is to avoid the need for tightly prescribed attendance requirements, but equally, studying remotely can be lonely and disconnected so it is important that there is a solid connection with the course and fellow students.
The York course is well structured around a weekly format that allows the freedom to study at a convenient time (and location), while also ensuring that there is regular contact with tutors and fellow students. I felt connected with the programme and was part of a shared learning experience, rather than merely taking part in a guided self-study exercise.
Interaction with other students
I’m often happier to get on do things by myself, so sometimes I found the forums a constraint on my time. However, the forums were important in helping shape the course as a shared learning experience.
Also, the need to develop postings that would not only be seen by an ‘audience’, but also needed to be understood by that audience, often drove me to more closely examine course materials resulting in a deeper understanding of them.
It was also interesting to be exposed a range of views and experiences on some topics. In particular it was useful to be exposed to people working in countries such as Afghanistan and Nigeria where the policy environment is clearly quite different.
From time-to-time, the forum posting were repetitive which made them frustrating. For the most part, however, tutors did work hard to ensure that they did offer added value.
Support available to students
The support is excellent.
My enquiries were always responded to quickly and positively. The level of access felt higher than in traditional face-to-face learning I’ve undertaken in the past - probably because interaction with staff was actively encouraged.
Finding time to study
I don’t have children, so I’m sure it was easier for me than many others. I tried to make best use of what otherwise could have been “dead time” to do my studying - making sure my weekly readings were always in my work bag, so I could read them on the train, etc. Little and often can be quite productive with course readings.
I always tried to do some advance planning so that I know when work or social commitments might make study commitments more difficult, and equally when I might have more time than normal to devote to it. As part of this, I endeavoured to stay slightly ahead of the course schedule in terms of reading (beginning a week or two before the course formally began), so that I had some leeway if other demands cropped up that made study more difficult. I also tended to take 1-2 days leave at the end of each term to dedicate to the final assignment, primarily to ensure I had a solid block of dedicated time to work on it.
Funding
At the start of the programme I was 50% self-funded, with 50% coming from my employer. Later in my course, I was 100% sponsored by my employer.
The programme overall
I though it was very good. Courses are well structured with clear learning aims and objectives. There is a good mix of theoretical and applied material, as well as historical and current examples.
The future
The programme has made me more confident in that I know what I’m talking about. It has enabled me to better articulate arguments which I am putting forward in policy contexts.
High points
Highs were encountering new pieces of learning that increased my understanding of the world around me.
Low points
Low points were realising it was Saturday night and I had nothing better to do than my homework!
Laurence Buhagiar
Senior Programme Monitor, Maltese Broadcasting Authority
Why Study?
I want to succeed in life and one of side of this is job related. I wanted to build a career and progress in my place of work but unfortunately could not make it without a proper academic qualification.
Masters in Public Policy & Management
I chose this programme as I was in my second year of a University Diploma in Public Administration (DPA) and I was interested to know more about reading for a Masters Degree. I searched through the Internet and the prospectus for the Masters in Public Policy and Management was an extension of what I touched in the DPA and I felt confident in embarking on this wonderful journey with York University.
Why the University of York?
- I’d had great feedback from a former student in my country ( Malta)
- Everything was explained meticulously showing a great deal of professionalism
- The Online Team were easily accessible either online, by email or even by phone
- The possibility to study with people coming from different countries and cultures thus making the journey more interesting and culturally fulfilling
- Conferences organised at the University of York, a great meeting place.
Online study
Studying online is the best thing that could happen to me especially when considering my situation of having to work full-time, married, attending the daily needs of our two children, whilst trying to keep fit by attending the gym regularly.
The flexibility of e-learning
This is a reason why I chose this programme over other leading programme providers. Being flexible in reading the material yet there again having the responsibility to contribute regularly to online discussions gives a sense of being in the classroom.
Support available to Students
The support is just great! My supervisor was Ellen Roberts and she was so caring and indeed helpful throughout the duration of the whole programme. The majority of the tutors I had the pleasure to meet were wonderful and always there, ready to help a person in need to understand the concepts and issues arising from the course content. And the team, Wow! They all have been very helpful and eager to help out with any difficulties students encounter.
Working with other students
The experience was a fruitful one, sharing experiences and knowledge whilst making friends. In fact I have to say that I made friends with two participants from Singapore who were both very courteous in keeping me company and showing me around when I visited their country.
Finding time to study
I was very lucky to have time at work to do some research and read some articles relevant to the subject area. I was granted by work a full day paid study leave meaning the evenings were free to enjoy my personal life. Sometimes I also used to log on and do some research from home during the night when the children were asleep.
Level of reading required
I am not a keen reader and only read out of necessity so confronted with all that reading at first was perceived by be a one of the low sides of studying. In due course however I was able to read faster and managed my responsibilities well.
Funding
My studies were self-funded.
The future
The programme has helped me look at ordinary things with a different perspective, enabling me to address a situation more professionally. After I graduated, I earned a promotion at work and look forward to taking up a managerial position when the opportunity arises. What can I say! Studying on-line with SPSW was a wonderful experience, especially feeling part of the University of York, which I truly miss to this day.
Advice for someone considering applying...
- Do get involved in the forum discussions, contribute the best you can without being judged and try to help your fellow participants as needed.
- Please do not be shy to raise questions as the York Team are always very helpful and really go to great lengths to ensure all participants have the opportunity to succeed in their journey to obtain the Masters Degree.
- Enjoy It!
Robin Speer
Robin Speer
Vice President, Public Affairs Canadian Renewable Fuels Association
Why did you decide to return to study?
I had completed my undergraduate studies four years prior, and felt it was time to return to formal education at some level. My job and personal life both allowed enough free time to do so (and my wife had just returned to postgraduate studies as well). I wanted a challenge, but wanted to study something relevant to my profession and something I would genuinely enjoy.
Why the University of York?
The structure of the individual courses and overall programme were appealing, tuition was reasonable, and the reputation of the institution was strong.
Masters in Public Policy and Management
At the time of applying to the programme, I was working on Parliament Hill in Canada for a Member of Parliament. My undergraduate degree was in political studies. While my current work history and future professional goals both were within the public policy-making arena, the area of study within this programme was perfectly suited to that.
Studying Online
I was not sure exactly how this would work and how comfortable I would be with it, but it quickly became natural to study and interact in this medium.
The flexibility of e-learning
The structured study pattern required of students was essential to ensure course materials were thoroughly covered by everyone. The flexibility was necessary, as there were students from each module from across the globe, as well as the reality that everyone has their own personal schedules and have set times free for study, based on following the set weekly structure. This format was ideal.
Support for students
The support from tutors and the administration was absolutely top-rate - 100%.
Interacting with other students
Interaction with other students in the forums was valuable in the learning process - hearing their unique perspectives and experiences from their own profession and region, related to each question at hand.
Finding time to study
It was important to be on top of readings and postings for each weekly unit within the modules. Not procrastinating and having time set aside each week for study was imperative.
Funding
I self-funded my studies, with a significant percentage of fees being tax deductible in Canada.
Highs and low points
Studying the materials, posting to forums, engaging in discussions on the questions, writing assignments, and obtaining feedback were all positive experiences.
I cannot really think of any ‘lows’ during the programme, other than external things becoming very busy in my life, and so the workload seemingly became much heavier, but this is not directly related to the programme.
The future
My knowledge of the public policy-making process is now much stronger, especially from an international perspective, and much of this is quite practical and relevant in my past job as a parliamentary/legislative assistant, as well as in my new position working in government relations for private sector companies. It would also be very relevant for any position directly within the public service. Having a postgraduate degree is invaluable for future opportunities.
Advice to someone considering applying
I think one hesitation many people may have in enrolling in such a programme is that they think the workload will be too much, based on their full-time campus-based undergraduate experiences, or that they have not studied formally for so long that it would be very difficult getting back into the groove of studies. I thought this myself at some level.
While everyone does lead very busy lives to varying degrees, I believe the flexibility and structure of this programme allows almost anyone to enrol, become engaged, enjoy the experience, and take away valuable and practical knowledge, as well as a new and advanced qualification for their career.
Therefore, I would strongly suggest not hesitating in taking such a programme based on the ‘no free time’ premise - you will have time, and you will not regret it.