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
Campus	Cloud (online)
Duration	Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, the Master of Politics and Policy is typically 1, 1.5 or 2 years duration. 1 year full time (2 years part time) - 8 credit points 1.5 years full time (3 years part time) - 12 credit points 2 years full time (4 years part time) - 16 credit points Deakin courses can also be studied part time over a longer period.
Deakin course code	A729
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.
T3 2019 was the last intake for this course

Course sub-headings

Course overview

This course focuses on the development, implementation and politics of public policy.

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 organisations.

The focus on democratic governance within contemporary contexts characterised by rapid change and globalisation distinguishes this course from traditional public policy studies.

The Master of Politics and Policy emphasises a dual focus on politics and public policy and offers a wide range of core units and elective units to appeal to public sector, business, NGO and community sector managers and leaders, and those wishing to acquire new skills.

The units explore public policy analysis frameworks, governance and accountability, political communication, managing public spending and corporate social responsibility.

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 courses are designed as professional development programs 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.

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.

Research information

Students will undertake research training and complete a research project in 1 of the 3 following options:

2 credit points of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a 4 credit point research project developed in consultation with a supervisor from the relevant discipline;
1 credit point of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a 2 credit point research project; or
1 credit point of research training in research design, and a 1 credit point research project.

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

Course rules

The Master of Politics and Policy is typically 8, 12 or 16 credit points.

The exact number of credit points you study depends on how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) – your professional experience and previous qualifications – which can save you time and money.

To qualify for the award of Master of Politics and Policy, a student must successfully complete the following:

4 credit points of compulsory core units;
AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit) and;
12 credit points of study combining research and elective units in one of the following configurations:

Option 1: Dissertation

2 credit points of research training (AIX706, plus one of AIX707 or AIX708)
4 credit points of research project (AIX702, AIX703)
6 credit points of electives

Option 2: Research Paper

1 credit point of research training (AIX706)
2 credit points of independent research project (AIX704, AIX705)
9 credit points of electives

Option 3: Research Project

1 credit point of research training (AIX706)
1 credit point independent research project (AIX701)
10 credit points of electives

Course structure

Core units

AIP740

Policy Lessons From Overseas

AIP773

Governance and Accountability

AIP783

Rethinking Democracy

AIP704

Making Policy

Course structure

Elective units

AIP703

Political Values and Public Policy

AIP746

Challenges to Democratic Governance

AIP748

Intergovernmental Relations

AIP786 Social and Environmental Accountability (no longer available for enrolment)

AIP780

Managing Public Expenditure

AIP781

Political Communication

AIP782 Engaging for Change (no longer available for enrolment)

AIP785

Political Competition

Students may undertake up to 3 credit points of electives from any other postgraduate course offered by any Faculty, with the Course Director's approval.