Master of Politics and Policy
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Politics and Policy |
| Course Credit Points | 8 |
| Deakin course code | A702 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2020 to 2023 |
| Final Intake | Offered to continuing students only. The final intake to this course was in teaching period 2, 2023. Students should contact Student Central for course, course map and enrolment information. |
| Duration | Depending on your research selection;
|
Course sub-headings
- Academic requirements
- Alternative exits
- Research information
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a bachelor honours degree in a related discipline
- completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline and at least two years' of relevant work experience
Alternative exits
| Graduate Diploma of Politics and Policy (A602) |
Research information
Students will complete a research pathway in 1 of the 3 following options:
- Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
- Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^
- Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Use advanced knowledge of, and expert, specialised cognitive skills in Politics and Policy in professional practice or scholarship and apply this knowledge and skills to different contexts. Gain an advanced understanding of Public policy analysis frameworks and the development and implementation of public policy under conditions of democratic governance and accountability within contemporary contexts characterised by rapid change and globalisation |
| Communication | Acquire communication skills to design, evaluate analyse and disseminate the findings of research that deploys political concepts, theories and technical knowledge, in a selection of written, digital and oral formats, to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of generic and specialist politics-specific digital communication technologies to apply political knowledge, to conduct political research, and to deliver reports and presentations to a diverse range of specialist and non-specialist audience. |
| Critical thinking | Analyse and critically evaluate different interpretations of political phenomena. Demonstrate mastery of the research methods used to investigate political phenomena and technical skills in the design, evaluation, analysis of developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship in governance and policy. |
| Problem solving | Utilise advanced understanding of the process of government and public sector management in professional practice and/or scholarship to generate approaches and solutions to complex problems of politics and governance. Demonstrate advanced skills in investigating and analysing complex political phenomena using qualitative methodologies including textual, discursive and historical analysis, process tracing, and ethnographic techniques. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate the application of skills and knowledge in Politics and Policy with high level personal autonomy, responsibility, accountability in situations of professional practice and/or for further learning. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn collaboratively with others in the field of political science and from different disciplines and backgrounds while still maintaining responsibility for one’s own learning. |
| Global citizenship | Analyse and address political issues in both domestic and global contexts as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and the application of the highest ethical standards. |
Approved at Faculty Board October 2015
Course rules
To complete the Master of Politics and Policy you must pass 8 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 2 credit points of compulsory core units
- 6 credit points of study from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper, or Professional Experience Pathways.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
| AIP740 | Policy Lessons From Overseas |
| AIP746 | Challenges to Democracy |
Course electives
| AIP704 | Making Policy |
| AIP748 | Intergovernmental Relations: Federalism, Power and Multi-Level Governance |
| AIP773 | Governance and Accountability in Turbulent Times |
| AIP781 | Political Communication: Public Watchdog Or Propaganda Machine? |
| AIP780 | The Politics of Australia's Economy |
| AIP783 | Rethinking Democracy: Past, Present and Future |
| AIP785 | Political Competition: Rules, Actors and Dynamics |
| AIX706 | Research Design |
| ADH717 | Climate Change and Sustainability |
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy |
| APE700 | Internship A |
Pathways
Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
| AIX706 | Research Design |
Plus 2 credit points of research units:
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
Plus 3 credit points chosen from the course electives
Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
Plus 5 credit points chosen from the course electives
Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^| APE701 | Internship Capstone |
Plus 4 credit points chosen from the course electives
^ The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.