Admission Criteria - MPA Program

Admission Administration

The Master of Public Administration is offered jointly by The University of Western Australia and Curtin University of Technology, with the Diploma and Certificate courses being offered at Curtin only.

A decision to admit a student will be at the complete discretion of the university to which the application is made, although this will be informed by the recommendation of the Management Committee.

Applications will be made direct to the respective universities (either Curtin or The University of Western Australia), but the Management Committee will coordinate the application process where necessary.

Please see the Application process page for further details and a list of applications forms for the MPA program.

International Students

Both universities extend delivery of their public policy offerings beyond the borders of Australia. To this end, the Program welcomes international students into its courses, either through participation in special training programs or in general enrolment in the MPA.

Recognition of Prior Learning (Advanced Standing/Credit)

The formal statement of the degree requirements regulations can be found at:

Institution	URL
Curtin University of Technology	http://www.handbook.curtin.edu.au/
The University of Western Australia	http://www.publishing.uwa.edu.au/handbooks/

In essence in 2006 these requirements encompass the following:

Curtin University of Technology: A three year degree in a related discipline including public sector and work experience as deemed appropriate by the Course Coordinator.

The University of Western Australia: The Faculty, on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, may accept as a candidate for the degree of Master of Public Administration an applicant who holds a three year bachelor's degree in a relevant field and relevant work experience or equivalent and satisfies the Faculty that they have the capacity to benefit from the course.

Form for Recognition of Prior Learning (Curtin) or Advanced Standing/Credit (UWA) are available on the Application process page. We advise students to familiarise themselves with the relevant set of regulations at their prospective enrolling universities before they complete and submit these forms as part of an application.

Time Limits

Minimum one and a half years full-time; maximum five years (in any combination of full-time and part-time enrolment).

Further extension of the time limit may be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Course Requirements

Students must enrol to complete a total of twelve coursework units, or the equivalent in terms of unit credit points. This must be comprised of at least six core units, as per the unit outline and six optional units or equivalent in terms of points. Students are encouraged to undertake an equal number of units at each participating University. To make this easier and add flexibility to unit choice, unit substitution of specified options may be permitted, subject to approval in each instance by the Management Committee.

Variations to enrolment

In exceptional circumstances, variations to the course structure may be approved by authorised staff at the Enrolling University.

Unsatisfactory Progress

Unsatisfactory progress is determined in accordance with the enrolling university's rules.

Exclusion

Students who make unsatisfactory progress may be excluded from the course in accordance with the enrolling university's rules.