Objectives
The Masters in Public Administration (MPA) programme at the University of Portsmouth is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme located in the School of Social Historical and Literary Studies, but with significant input from the Portsmouth Business School. The MPA is an interdisciplinary degree designed to address the requirements of those who work in central, regional or local government organisations of their country as well as those who work in the private and voluntary sectors in partnership with government. For example, those professionals and managers employed in public-private partnerships and nongovernmental organisations. You will take away knowledge and understanding of the social, historical and financial context of public administration and public sector organisations, and the way in which public policies are formulated, implemented and evaluated in the public sector. Our comparative perspective also means that your studies will not just have an explicitly European or Anglo-American perspective, but will be within a global context, reflecting the increasing importance of international policy learning in public management and administration.
Course description
The Masters in Public Administration (MPA) programme at the University of Portsmouth is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme located in the School of Social Historical and Literary Studies, but with significant input from the Portsmouth Business School.
The MPA is an interdisciplinary degree designed to address the requirements of those who work in central, regional or local government organisations of their country as well as those who work in the private and voluntary sectors in partnership with government. For example, those professionals and managers employed in public-private partnerships and nongovernmental organisations.
You will take away knowledge and understanding of the social, historical and financial context of public administration and public sector organisations, and the way in which public policies are formulated, implemented and evaluated in the public sector. Our comparative perspective also means that your studies will not just have an explicitly European or Anglo-American perspective, but will be within a global context, reflecting the increasing importance of international policy learning in public management and administration.
This course involves the advanced study of public sector organisations, their management and the changing external context in which they operate. It is designed to offer a general framework within which you can follow a coherent, but flexible programme of study in both public policy and public management, allowing you to acquire specialist subject knowledge in fields that will be relevant to your career choices.
It also aims to bring together people from a wide range of organisations involved in public service delivery in order to facilitate inter-professional and inter-organisational education and development within a challenging and stimulating environment.
Our resources
Course members will have full access to the University's extensive library and research facilities, including many aspects of eLearning. Members of the course will also enjoy their own dedicated space. In addition, Portsmouth is a modern University with extensive sports and cultural facilities. For those who seek University accommodation, we offer a wide range of catered and self-catering options delivered to a high standard.
Awards
Units consist of combinations of 15, 30, 60 credits. The following awards can be gained by accumulating the relevant number of credits:
-Masters in Public Administration (MPA) requires the accumulation of 180 credits
-Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration requires 120 credits
-Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration requires 60 credits
We will train you in the most efficient, effective and economic options for the delivery of public services and how to use the different structures and organisations available. As a result, you will gain knowledge and develop an understanding of the following areas:
-the impact of contextual forces on public sector organisations including:
legal systems
ethical, economic, environmental, social and technological change issues
international developments
corporate governance
-the role of public sector organisations in economic development and regeneration
-the marketisation of service delivery (the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services) and citizenship issues in public organisations (the expectations of citizens and equivalent stakeholders)
-the concepts, processes and institutions in the management of resources and operations
-financing the public sector (sources, uses and management of finance and accountability for managerial and financial reporting)
-management and development of people within organisations (including organisational theory, behaviour, industrial/employee relations, HRM and change management)
-the uses and limitations of a range of research methods and techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, and an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses for providing information and evaluating options in an uncertain organisational environment
-the development, management and exploitation of information systems and their impact on organisations
-the use of relevant communication and information technologies for application in public sector management within a global knowledge-based economy.
Core units
You will study all of the following units
-Comparative public policy and administration
-Public management
-Researching public administration
-Dissertation (60 credits)
Core options
You can choose one from:
-Public sector strategic management
-Project management
Optional units
You will also choose two subject-specific options from:
-Ethical practice in public sector management and administration
-Applied public management
-Policy evaluation
-Public sector finance and management
-Managing human resources
-Governance and non-governmental organisations
Or units from a range of Masters courses, including those in:
-Criminal justice studies
-European law and policy
Please note that units may be subject to change.
