Master of Arts in Public Policy

Academics

The M.A. in Public Policy uses a transdisciplinary approach to comprehensively study and analyse contemporary political, economic, and social issues. The curriculum is carefully structured to impart intense training in policy theory, covering key literature and policy debates. You will develop and build on your quantitative and qualitative analytical skills and receive exposure to real-world policy-making and related management processes. The program's first year builds the foundations required for a broad-based understanding of public policy before offering students the choice of the data analytics and policy design tracks in the second year. The second year of the program will also give you the option of working on a faculty-mentored master's dissertation to help develop the capacity to conduct independent research.

• 12 courses; 60 credits

• 12 months (estimated learning load of 15 - 18 hours a week)

• The curriculum comprises core and elective courses.

• Each course accounts for five credits and requires a total study time of 75 hours. This includes time for assimilation of instructional material (pre‑recorded lectures and essential readings), live interactive sessions, discussion, and assessments besides time for self‑study.

• Each course is spread over 11 weeks, with the last two weeks reserved for end-of-course evaluations.

• Students will develop and build quantitative and qualitative analytical skills and receive exposure to real-world policymaking and related management processes.

• A unique feature of the programme is the option of a master's dissertation in the last quarter, allowing students to work on a faculty-mentored master's dissertation that will develop the capacity to conduct independent research.

Term 1:

(Core courses, 5 credits each)

• Microeconomics: Foundation and Insights

• Theories of Public Policy

• Qualitative Analysis and Survey Design

Term 2:

(Core courses, 5 credits each)

• Law, Governance and Public Policy

• Macroeconomics: Foundation and Insights

• Statistical Methods and Data Analysis

Term 3:

(2 Core courses, 1 Elective - 5 credits each)

• Data Analytics Track

  • Econometrics Theory and Practice

  • Introduction to Data Science

  • Elective 1

• Policy Design Track

  • International Organizations and Policy Regimes

  • Public Finance

  • Elective 1

Term 4:

(1 Core course, 2 Electives - 5 credits each)

• Data Analytics Track

  • Machine Learning, AI and Public Policy

  • Elective 2

  • Elective 3

• Policy Design Track

  • Programme Design and Evaluation

  • Elective 2

  • Elective 3

Dissertation Track

• You can also choose to work on a faculty-guided master's dissertation instead of two electives.

• Based on their research interest, students will be assigned a faculty mentor to help them develop their dissertation thesis.

• Students must indicate their preference for the dissertation track at the end of the third quarter.

• The dissertation workshop must be completed before students commence their dissertation writing.

• The dissertation is worth eight credits and runs in the last quarter.

• During the fourth quarter students focus primarily on developing the dissertation thesis under the guidance of their faculty mentor.

Elective Courses

The Non-dissertation track which allows students to choose up to three electives from the following list:

School Electives:

• Complexity and Public Policy

• Democratic Governance

• Development Economics

• Economics of Reforms and Regulations

• Environmental Issues, Policies and Practice

• Gender and Development

• Identity and Policy

• Introduction to Health Policy

• Social Foundations of Public Policy

• Methods of Impact EvaluationUrbanisation and Development

Cross Electives:

• International Relations Theory

• Law and Ethics in International Relations

• Climate Change, Migration and Human Security

• Negotiating and Resolving International Conflicts

• Foreign Policy of Great, Middle and Small Powers

You can also complete the following industry certifications offered on Coursera to earn credit waivers:

Data analytics track

• Google Data Analytics

• Fractal Data Science

• IBM Data Analyst

• IBM Data Science

Policy design track

• Tableau Business Intelligence Analyst

Upon completing the recommended industry certifications, students can receive waivers for up to two courses or ten credits toward their degree.

Not ready to commit yet? Experience non-credit degree courses

Prepare for the M.A. Public Policy Online Program by completing the following MOOC courses (non-credited) hosted on Coursera. These courses will help you build familiarity with the program and the field of Public Policy:

• Ethics in Public Policy: Delve into the ethical considerations that shape policy decisions and learn how to navigate complex moral dilemmas in public service.

• Essence of Leadership: Explore the fundamental principles of effective leadership and how they apply to public policy.

• Introduction to Academic Writing: Enhance your academic writing skills to excel in the program and effectively communicate your policy analysis and research findings.