Master of Public Policy

This program blends theoretical knowledge with practical application, helping you build the skills needed to respond strategically and proactively to social, economic, and public sector challenges. You can opt to focus on one of three specializations — Economics, Public Administration and Governance, or Law — or combine two areas to broaden your expertise.

The course features seminars led by academic experts, enriched by guest lectures from prominent industry professionals. Through real-world case studies, students have numerous opportunities to apply their learning to tackle public, economic, social, and legal issues effectively.

In the Economics specialization, students explore how markets and governments influence the economy, along with different approaches to economic evaluation. This is a hands-on economics program that addresses a wide range of sectors, such as finance, taxation, healthcare, housing, education, transportation, public utilities, trade, development, and environmental issues. Taking an international outlook, this specialization combines theoretical insights with practical skills to prepare professionals for work in complex public, corporate, and nonprofit environments, both within Australia and globally.

The Public Administration and Governance specialization centers on the governance side of public policy. It aims to train future leaders for governmental bodies and nonprofit organizations at both national and international levels. Students build a strong academic foundation that enables them to design, implement, and assess public policies, while developing the ability to respond strategically to social and economic challenges. The course also examines the political, economic, and social factors that influence current public policy debates, including issues like climate change, poverty, inequality, and global health crises.

In the Law specialization, students gain an understanding of how policies are created and applied within the framework of legal systems and institutions. This pathway looks at legal topics from theoretical, doctrinal, and practical angles, encouraging a critical perspective. It equips students with the regulatory, legal, and policy skills needed to operate effectively in a variety of sectors, including government agencies, NGOs, and private companies, particularly those that interact with the public sector.