Master of Public Administration-Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration
Entry requirementsEntry Conditions You should normally hold a second class honours degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution. You should also have at least three years relevant work experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity. If English is not your first language, you will have to provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English as demonstrated by a score of at least 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four modules in the IELTS test, prior to commencement of the course.
Academic titleMaster of Public Administration/Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration
Course descriptionThis vocational postgraduate course is aimed at those with relevant supervisory or managerial experience. It is designed to improve the quality of management as a profession. If your role includes management or governance, you will find this degree will help you to develop an integrated and critically aware understanding of these two areas thereby enhancing your effectiveness in the workplace.
We expect course participants to be drawn from a wide range of settings, mainly, but not exclusively, from the public sector, both nationally and internationally. Administrators, managers and professionals from a wide variety of organisations are likely to find this course to be of immense benefit.
The title of Master of Public Administration recognises that there is a public sector market distinct from that for a Master of Business Administration (MBA). This is particularly so not only in Northern Ireland but elsewhere in the British Isles and further afield. The brand of Master of Public Administration is now well established and is a sought after qualification for middle to senior level managers both at a national and international level
You will receive your award of Master of Public Administration after successful completion of modules worth 180 credit points. For the Public Sector Executive Development course version, there are 9 taught modules each worth 15 credit points and a project worth 45 credit points. For students who already have a Postgraduate Diploma in Health & Social Care Management (formerly entitled PG. Diploma in Health and Social Services Management), you will be required to successfully complete modules worth a further 60 credit points to be awarded your MPA.
If you do not meet the requirements for the Award of the MPA, you can exit from the course with a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration provided you have successfully completed the equivalent of the first two part-time years of the MPA.
Duration and Mode of Attendance
Part-time Postgraduate Diploma - normally two years
MPA - normally three years
Part-time Fast Track MPA - normally two years
For students who have already obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Social Care Management qualification within the previous five years, you can normally expect exemption from two thirds of the MPA and hence complete your MPA in one academic year.