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.

First year: You complete eight courses in the following order:

• Economics in Public Policy

• Social Foundations of Public Policy

• Microeconomics

• Statistical Methods and Data Analysis

• Gender and Development

• Qualitative Analysis and Survey Design

• Law, Governance and Public Policy

• Macroeconomics

Second year

Choose either the data analytics or the policy design track. Each track comprises four cores and four electives. You can also choose to work on a faculty-guided master's dissertation instead of two electives.

Data Analytics Track

• Introduction to Data Science

• Econometrics

• Methods of Impact Evaluation

• Machine Learning, AI and Public Policy

• Four electives OR Two electives and Master’s Dissertation

Public Policy Track

• Public finance

• International Organizations and Policy Regimes

• Program Design and Evaluation

• Theories of Public Policy

• Four electives OR Two electives and Master’s Dissertation

Elective Courses

You can choose electives from the following list:

• Complexity and Public Policy

• Democratic Governance

• Development Economics

• Economics of Reforms and Regulations

• Environmental Issues, Policies and Practice

• Identity and Policy

• Introduction to Health Policy

• Urbanisation and Development

• 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

• Tableau Business Intelligence Analyst Industry Certification (equivalent to two electives)

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

• Google Data Analytics

• Fractal Data Science

• IBM Data Analyst

• IBM Data Science

Get Ready for the M.A. Public Policy Online Program

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.