Master of Politics and Policy

2027 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2027 course information

Award granted Master of Politics and Policy
Deakin course codeA702
Course credit points8
Course version1
Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Education

Course information

For students who commenced from 2020 to 2023

Campus

Offered to continuing students only.

Final intake

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;

  • 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent (Research Paper)
  • 2 years part-time (Minor Thesis)

Course sub-headings

Alternative exits

Graduate Diploma of Politics and Policy (A602)

Course learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes
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

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.
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.
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.

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.

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.
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.
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

Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.

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

AIP740Comparative Policy

AIP746Governing Crises

Course electives

AIP704Making Policy

AIP748Multilevel Governance

AIP773Accountability, Integrity and Governance

AIP781Political Communication and Citizen Engagement

AIP780Political Economics

AIP783Rethinking Democracy

AIP785Constitutions, Political Parties and Public Policy

AIX706Research Design

ADH717Climate Change and Sustainability

AIR712Australian Foreign Policy

APE700Internship A

Pathways

Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway

AIX706Research Design

Plus 2 credit points of research units:

AIX704Minor Thesis A

AIX705Minor Thesis B

Plus 3 credit points chosen from the course electives

Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^

AIX701Research Paper

Plus 5 credit points chosen from the course electives

Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^

APE701Internship 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.

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