Overview 2021
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the International Online Course Guide (PDF 809KB) for courses that are offered to international students
The Master of Public Policy is offered at the Hobart campus and by distance. It is normally a 1.5 calendar year (or 3 semesters) full-time or up to 3 years (or 6 semesters) part-time program. Students may enrol for semester 1 or semester 2 entry.
For students who commenced prior to 2015, the applicable course rules are those from the year of commencement.
Course objectives
The MPubPol aims to provide a high quality tertiary qualification at the postgraduate level in a professional coursework-plus-thesis program. The course aims to provide students with:
- a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of public policy;
- skills to engage in informed debate about major public policy issues in contemporary society;
- knowledge of recent developments in the field;
- extensive skills to design, conduct and appraise research critically.
Career outcomes
- Attainment of skills in public administration and policy including at an international level of analysis.
- Attainment of the ability to work in policy development and analysis within and beyond government.
- Enhancement of students' careers by the achievement of a postgraduate award from a prestigious university.
- The course is endorsed by, and has the support of, the Tasmanian Office of the State Service Commissioner.
Course structure
For students who commenced prior to 2015, the applicable course rules are those from the year of commencement.
Students must complete 150 credit points units from the schedule below, including the 2 x 25 credit point core coursework units and the Research Thesis units.
Schedule of units
Core units
HPP411 Policy Development examines the central approaches to understanding the policy process. Key phases of this process will be explored including the initiation, development, implementation, evaluation and analysis of public policy. Difficulties and ambiguity inherent within political decision-making will also…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit explores major conceptual, empirical and normative issues surrounding the implementation and evaluation of public policy. Both of these phases of the policy process are examined separately and in relation to each other and to other concepts such as…
Credit Points: 25
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for HPP412 Policy Implementation and Evaluation
`Government` as a set of institutions is no longer synonymous with `government` as a process. As a result, the term 'governance' is increasingly used to account for a growing number of situations where governance occurs without government. The reasons for…
Credit Points: 25
This unit is currently unavailable.
Comparative Climate Policy is an environmental politics based unit that examines the governance challenge of emissions reduction in terms of wicked problems, failed politics and policy, post Kyoto prospects, and policy implementation and evaluation. It moves from macro-politics to the…
Credit Points: 25
This unit is currently unavailable.
Involves supervised reading on a topic selected by the student in consultation with an appropriate member of staff. Students must justify why they wish to enrol in this unit instead of another unit on offer. Enrolment in this unit requires…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit provides students with the opportunity for advanced level study of selected marine and Antarctic political issues concerning such topics as the Antarctic Treaty System; Law of the Sea and oceans governance; global, regional and domestic fisheries management; and…
Credit Points: 25
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit and its two component modules address key principles underpinning government within a Westminster parliamentary system. The unit aims to provide a background to, and understanding of the theory and practice of public administration and management. The unit will…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for HPP413 Government and Public Administration
This unit permits students to undertake an internship or work placement as part of their postgraduate studies. Internships vary across programs in the School of Social Sciences but may (for instance) be undertaken in a number of public sector agencies,…
Credit Points: 25
This unit is currently unavailable.
A Parliamentary Internship is available at the Parliament of Tasmania. It involves a part-time placement with a Member of Parliament or a Parliamentary Committee and involves the intern undertaking a practical, research-oriented report. The internship aims to give students experience…
Credit Points: 25
This unit is currently unavailable.
x…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
x…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Entry requirements
Eligibility
Students are normally expected to have a minimum of a bachelor degree from the University of Tasmania or from another university or tertiary institution which is deemed equivalent, and a level of English equivalent to a score of 6.0 on an IELTS test. In exceptional circumstances the College may admit a person with some other tertiary qualification and relevant employment experience.
Students seeking entry into postgraduate courses based on employment experience only (i.e. no bachelor degree), will generally only be allowed entry at Graduate Certificate level.
Direct entry for admission is approved subject to successful completion of 100% of coursework units with Distinction average prior to progression to thesis unit/s, is required for articulation to the this Masters.
Students who do not achieve at Distinction level in coursework components, but nonetheless complete 100% of units will be able to exit with a Graduate Diploma.
Admission Prerequisites
Students are normally expected to have a minimum of a bachelor degree from the University of Tasmania or from another university or tertiary institution which is deemed equivalent, and a level of English equivalent to a score of 6.0 on an IELTS test. In exceptional circumstances the Faculty may admit a person with some other tertiary qualification and relevant employment experience.
Students seeking entry into postgraduate courses based on employment experience only (i.e. no bachelor degree), will generally only be allowed entry at Graduate Certificate level.
Direct entry for admission is approved subject to successful completion of 100% of coursework units with Distinction average prior to progression to thesis unit/s, is required for articulation to the this Masters.
Students who do not achieve at Distinction level in coursework components, but nonetheless complete 100% of units will be able to exit with a Graduate Diploma.
Credit transfer
Students may apply for credit for units passed in other courses (complete or incomplete).
Articulation to
Students who terminate their studies after completing 100% of the coursework units (including the core unit) are eligible to achieve the Graduate Diploma in Public Policy.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses
International students
2021 Total Course Fee (international students): TBA *.
Course cost based on a rate of $30,500 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries