Overview

The course aims to furnish students with an understanding of the complex issues surrounding the formation, implementation and evaluation of public policy. The course will provide you with a grasp of the international and domestic institutional contexts which shape the policy making process, and specialist expertise in the theoretical and analytical tools necessary to conduct high quality research in public policy and administration. The range of option modules available to students, along with the opportunity to write a dissertation on a topic of their choice, allows students to pursue expertise in particular area of interest, from public management to governance and development. The degree provides an ideal foundation for those wishing to pursue a career in academia, policy advising, lobbying, political research or journalism.

Erasmus Mundus scholarships

Up to 10 European Union Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available per year for EU and non-EU students. Students are required to pursue this degree as part of a two-year Mundus MAPP degree programme. Visit the Mundus MAPP website for full details.

Structure

Participants are required to take the following core modules:

• Policy Analysis (20 credits)
• Public Management and Delivery (20 credits)

In addition, participants are required to take two option modules (20 credits each) of their choice from the lists below:

Understanding Governance	Strategic Planning
Leading and Managing Change	Public Finance
Theories and Policies of Development Governance	Development and Human Rights
Asylum, Migration and Human Trafficking	Social and Political Issues in Development
Violence and International Intervention	Truth, Justice and Reparations
Critical Theories of International Political Economy	Popular Movements

Finally, in the summer period all course participants will be required to complete a 15,000 word dissertation (90 credits) which is supported through personal supervision and a dissertation support workshop.

Teaching

The MA in Public Administration and Public Policy relies on a range of teaching methods. Most modules combine weekly one-hour lectures with longer interactive and participatory seminars. Essays are the main form of assessment in most modules. Students receive feedback from their instructors on 'procedural essays' at the end of term. These are designed to give students practice in essay writing and useful feedback on how to improve. Students interact regularly with staff members teaching their modules during feedback and consultation hours. Each student is also assigned an academic supervisor who is responsible for overseeing the student’s general progress and is available to offer advice. A separate dissertation supervisor will be assigned in the spring to assist with dissertation writing. Students are encouraged to attend regular department seminars where staff and post-graduate teaching and research students exchange ideas on a range of research topics.

Students

Mogeni Donald Nyangau

MA Public Administration and Public Policy, 2009-10

"I came to York through the European Commission's Mundus MAPP Program, after three years of public policy work among various international NGOs in Kenya. Through the year I have been able to further develop core analytical and policy analysis skills. The weekly seminars also provided the opportunity for intellectually challenging debates, in-depth discussion and understanding of various transnational policy issues and concerns. Through the intellectual environment at York, the rigour and thoroughness of the M.A Public Administration and Public Policy program, the guidance from the lecturers, my time in York has proved to be one of the most significant experiences in my life. Further, the diverse student population that the program attracts also helped broaden my horizons, and relate to global problems via first hand local accounts. With the academic preparation from the program, I envision for myself a career straddling the highest level in the developing world. I could achieve this admittedly ambitious goal by advancing within a non-profit group such as the UN, think-tank or major international NGOs. Perhaps most appealingly, I could also achieve this goal by entering public service and obtaining some degree of influence over actual policy decisions."

Staff

The core modules on the MA in Public Administration and Public Policy will be delivered by staff drawn from both the Department of Politics' Public Policy group and other related areas, who include Dr Jim Buller, Professor Neil Carter, Dr Elena  Davidescu, Dr Alexandra Hall, Dr Nicole Lindstrom, Dr Felicity Matthews, Dr Chris Rogers, Dr Adam White, Dr Nick Worsfold.