Master of Politics and Policy

2020 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2020 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2020 course information
Award granted	Master of Politics and Policy
Course Map	These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2020: Option 1 - Research Paper (Full Time) Option 2 - Research Minor Thesis (Part Time) These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2020: Option 1 - Research Paper (Full Time) Option 2 - Research Minor Thesis (Part Time) Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	This course is only offered Online
Cloud Campus	Yes
Duration	Depending on your research selection; 1 year full time or part time equivalent (Research Paper) 2 years part time (Minor Thesis) Deakin courses can also be studied part time over a longer period.
Deakin course code	A702
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Explore our role as citizens in the Australian community, the nature of diverse ideologies and the close relations between government, the private sector and community. The Master of Politics and Policy emphasises a dual focus on politics and public policy and offers a wide range of core and elective units to appeal to public sector, business, NGO and community sector managers and leaders, and those wishing to acquire new skills.

Explore public policy analysis frameworks, the development and implementation of public policy under conditions of democratic governance, governance and accountability, skills building in evaluation, intergovernmental relations and accountability, and political communication.

You’ll undertake practical training focused on the relations between government, the private sector and community organisations, and between different levels of government.

Career opportunities

The Master of Politics and Policy is a professional development program for early or mid-career professionals or for those involved in or, seeking to become involved in, policy making and management within the public, community and business sectors, domestically and internationally. The program also offers a pathway to PhD through research training and a two-credit point research minor thesis.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Alternate exits

Graduate Diploma of Politics and Policy (A602)

Research information

Students will complete a research capstone in one of the two following options:

a one credit point research paper; or
a two credit point minor thesis.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

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 by Faculty Board October 2015