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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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. |
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 |