Master of Public Administration

The John Curtin Institute of Public Policy (JCIPP) at Curtin University of Technology and the Faculty of Law at The University of Western Australia offer a program of postgraduate award courses in public policy and administration for full-time and part-time students in Perth, Western Australia.

These are the:

Master of Public Administration (MPA);
Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (GDPA) (Curtin Only); and
Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (GCPA) (Curtin Only)

Each course focuses on major issues confronting public sector organisations and have been designed to facilitate an understanding of government, legal requirements, governance and ethics, public management issues and policy design, through critical reflection, theoretical perspectives and practical methods. All courses are designed around a series of common core and optional units.

The MPA degree is jointly-badged and delivered by the Curtin University of Technology and The University of Western Australia.

Course Outline

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) course is the core offering in the Institute's postgraduate program. It consists of twelve units, which can be completed over three semesters on a full-time basis or part-time equivalent. Course entry requirements are:

A relevant bachelor degree from a recognised tertiary institution; and
Either a postgraduate qualification or at least two year in a senior level public
sector role.

The MPA also incorporates a work-based project unit where students can critically examine and research a major area of interest.

Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience may be considered for admission into the MPA, but may be required to complete the Graduate Certificate first, which will then articulate (with four advanced standing credits) into this degree.

Course Details: The MPA is a twelve unit course (or the equivalent in unit credits at either university). Students will need to complete a minimum of six core units (as per the Unit Outline below) and six optional units or equivalent in credit points. Please see the unit outline for further details.

Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (GDPA) - only offered at Curtin University of Technology

The Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (GDPA) consists of eight units and can be completed in two semesters on a full-time basis or part-time equivalent. This course is only available at Curtin. Course entry requirements are:

A bachelor degree from a recognized tertiary institution; and
One-year work experience in a public sector managerial role.

Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience may be considered for admission but may be required to complete the Graduate Certificate first, which will then articulate (with four advanced standing credits) into the Graduate Diploma.

Course Details: The Graduate Diploma is an eight unit course (or the equivalent in unit credits at either university). Students will need to complete a minimum of four core units (as per the Unit Outline below) and four optional units or equivalent in credit points. Please see the unit outline for further details.

Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (GCPA) - only offered at Curtin University of Technology

The Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (GCPA) consists of four units and can be completed in one semester on a full-time basis or part-time equivalent. This course is only available at Curtin. Course entry requirements are:

A bachelor degree from a recognized tertiary institution; or
No first degree but eight years work experience in a senior public sector managerial role.

Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience may be considered for admission. Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Course Details: The Graduate Certificate is a four unit course (or the equivalent in unit credits at either university). Students will need to complete a minimum of two core units (as per the Unit Outline below) and two optional units or equivalent in credit points. Please see the unit outline for further details.

Unit Outline

All degrees include enrolment in common core units as well as a selection of optional units available from Curtin and The University of Western Australia. Current course and timetable information is now available.

Core Units

Note: Units offered at Curtin Units offered at UWA

Unit Code	Unit Name	Description
308350 (Curtin)	Machinery of Government 500	An examination of the system of rules, institutions and practices through which the Australian system of representative government and public administration is constituted and functions. Main concerns are the roles and relative powers of the three branches of government; the practices of responsible government; and the federal system and intergovernmental relations.
308352 (Curtin)	Markets and Government 500	Society's economic needs are met mostly through the workings of the market. However, we rely on government to meet many of our needs as well. This subject examines: the efficiency of markets in allocating resources; the circumstances in which markets might fail; the case for and against government intervention; and modes of intervention by government in the market. The central question addressed is: How is welfare served through a balance between the market and government?
308353 (Curtin)	Managing in the Public Sector 500	This subject examines the theory and practice of public administration and management at all levels in the Australian Federation, with particular reference to the administrator's role in the effective development and implementation of public policy. Case study material and students' own public administration experiences (where applicable) are drawn upon to enhance learning.
308351 (Curtin)	Public Policy Analysis and Design 500	An exploration of the art and science of policy analysis. Focuses on issues of problem definition, evaluation and selection of policy alternatives, recommendation and presentation, implementation and coordination, and evaluation. Covers such aspects or components as context, audience, style, quantitative and qualitative techniques and reasoning, and values.
ENRL8555 (UWA)	Constitutional Law I	This unit is a study of the fundamental principles and institutions of government in Australia at the state and Commonwealth levels. It imparts an understanding of the principles of representative and responsible government and the powers of and relationship between the three arms of government-the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
308349 (Curtin)	Ethics, Public Values and Policy 500	An introduction to ethics and values and the roles these play in contemporary governance in the public sector. The unit focuses on moral principles underlying public sector management in Australia. An understanding and application of the concepts of governance and ethics. Assessment of the different approaches to stakeholder management. Critical evaluation of different perspectives on efficiency, sustainability, stakeholder management, devolution, ethical codes of behaviour, government regulatory failure, whistle blowing and administrative appeals. Develop predictions regarding public sector workforce change. Evaluate the implications of public workforce changes.
310076 (Curtin)	Public Sector Communications 500	This unit provides participants with the knowledge and the skills necessary for senior public servants to communicate with the media directly, through public affairs groups and through advertising, with Ministers, other politicians and political advisers, and with the community through consultation. The unit will comprise lectures, seminars with guest participants, site visits and practical training.
310075 (Curtin)	Work-Based Project*(Only Available in the MPA)	Students will choose a workplace issue to explore and upon which to recommend action. Using a combination of systems thinking and futures methodologies, a framework will be provided to guide students in their exploration. As a result students will experience a process of bringing about change in their workplace while acquiring skills that can be applied to any project.

Optional Units

Units available at Curtin University of Technology:

Unit Code	Unit Name
05248	Managerial Leadership 561
05698	Organisational Behaviour 550
05706	Accounting (Public Sector) 567
10978	Economics (Public Finance) 568
11390	Leadership in a Global Dynamic Environment 520
301843	Social Policy 501
301846	Social Policy 505
301847	Social Policy 507
301849	Social Policy 604
301948	International Health and Primary Health Care 600

Units available at The University of Western Australia:

Unit Code	Unit Name
MGMT8501	Organisational Behaviour (8 points)
MGMT8623	Leadership Effectiveness (8 points)
HRMT8518	Human Resource Management (8 points)
MGMT8620	Management Information Systems (8 points)
ACCT2206	Performance Measurement and Evaluation
ECON8401	Economic Policy Analysis (8 points)
IREL2208	Managing Diversity
ACCT7461	Public Sector Financial Management and Performance (8 points)
ECON2295	Public Finance
MGMT8570	Organisational Change and Transformation (8 points)
MKTG8505	Societal, Environmental and Public Policy Marketing (8 points)
LAWS8540	Environmental Protection Law
LAWS8555	Employee Relations Law
LAWS8534	Indigenous Peoples and the Law
LAWS3324	Medicine and the Law
LAWS3385	Administrative Law 1
LAWS8304	Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Law
LAWS8544	Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Policy
LAWS8539	Criminology, Criminal Law and Public Policy
LAWS8543	Measuring Crime and Monitoring the Administration of Criminal Justice
LAWS8561	Theories of Punishment and Principles of Sentencing