Modern societies demand much from those obliged to protect the public interest and pursue the common good. The foremost expectation is effective leadership, particularly in the development and delivery of public policy. Public leadership transcending organisational management is expected within communities concerned with practical outcomes; agencies committed to regional issues; and, institutions with oversight of national priorities. Despite the substantial premium placed on public leadership, few theorists and even fewer practitioners have closely examined the challenges of exercising public leadership in a range of contexts or the relationship between public leadership and policy formulation. The Master of Public Leadership and Policy uniquely addresses this gap by offering students a combination of courses focused specifically on public leadership alongside a rich selection of electives addressing broader issues related to local, national and global policy and its implementation.

The Master of Public Leadership and Policy has been developed to serve those occupying or aspiring to positions of public leadership, as well as postgraduate scholars seeking to develop a research competence in this highly significant emerging field.

At the end of the program, students should have acquired all of the following:

Advanced disciplinary knowledge: Graduates will be able to articulate an advanced knowledge and integrated understanding of the nature of effective and ethical public leadership and its relationship with public policy and be able to apply this understanding to practical problems in a contemporary setting.

Research-based learning: Graduates will be able to undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply technical skills, and be adaptive learners and practitioners of public leadership with an emphasis on workplace or vocational settings.

Cognitive skills and critical thinking: Graduates will be able to analyse, reflect on, and synthesise complex information, demonstrating evidence-based logic and reasoning in the context of public leadership and policy; and demonstrate advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills applicable to a range of leadership positions and depictions of what/who/where constitutes the public.

Communication and adaptive skills: Graduates will be able to communicate complex ideas effectively and confidently in written, oral, and technological forms appropriate to academic and policy discourse on the principles and practice of public leadership.

Global outlook: Graduates will be able to articulate awareness of a range of social, ethical, environmenta

At the end of the program, students should have acquired all of the following:

Advanced disciplinary knowledge: Graduates will be able to articulate an advanced knowledge and integrated understanding of the nature of effective and ethical public leadership and its relationship with public policy and be able to apply this understanding to practical problems in a contemporary setting.

Research-based learning: Graduates will be able to undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply technical skills, and be adaptive learners and practitioners of public leadership with an emphasis on workplace or vocational settings.

Cognitive skills and critical thinking: Graduates will be able to analyse, reflect on, and synthesise complex information, demonstrating evidence-based logic and reasoning in the context of public leadership and policy; and demonstrate advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills applicable to a range of leadership positions and depictions of what/who/where constitutes the public.

Communication and adaptive skills: Graduates will be able to communicate complex ideas effectively and confidently in written, oral, and technological forms appropriate to academic and policy discourse on the principles and practice of public leadership.

Global outlook: Graduates will be able to articulate awareness of a range of social, ethical, environmental, intercultural, and global issues, and responsibilities related to public leadership and policy.

Students undertaking this program are required to take 8 courses (48 UOC) comprising 24 UOC of core courses, with the remaining courses selected in any combination from the elective courses listed below.

Core Courses

Students must complete 24 UOC from core courses:

1. Students must complete 12 UOC by selecting two of the three core courses:

Plus

2. Students must complete a 12 UOC Research Project - students can select from two options:

OR

Elective Courses

Students must complete 4 elective courses (24 UOC) from the following list:

Additional Study and Elective Courses

Additional special study and elective courses may be offered on an opportunity basis.

Students may, with the approval of the Postgraduate Coordinator, take up to two courses (12 UOC) from other courses offered in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Business or related coursework programs.

1. Entry Requirements

1.1 Completion of a Bachelor's degree with Honours with a major in a cognate discipline; or

1.2 Completion of a Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline; or

1.3 Completion of a 3 or 4-year Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline, which includes a major in the cognate discipline; and have completed at least 3-years full-time professional experience in a cognate discipline; or

1.4 Completion of a Bachelor degree in a NON-cognate discipline and have completed at least 4-years full-time professional experience in a cognate discipline; or

1.5 Evidence of other academic qualifications and/or professional experience submitted to the Program Authority may be considered based on assessment of evidence of achievement of equivalent learning and in accordance with UNSW Recognition of Prior Learning Procedure.

Cognate Disciplines:
Policy Studies, Management, International and Political Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences.

2. Enrolment and Progression

2.1 An application to enrol as a candidate for the degree shall be made via myUNSW or prescribed form and lodged with Student Administrative Services by the advertised date.

2.2 A candidate for the degree must undertake courses and pass assessment as prescribed by UNSW.

2.3 The program of study shall total a minimum of 48 units of credit.

2.4 The Academic Standing of a candidate shall be reviewed at the end of each session. Movement between levels of academic standing is based on progress, measured by cumulative number of failures.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.