Graduate Certificate in Public Policy

The Graduate Certificate in Public Policy is an 18-unit program which is part of the Graduate Program in Public Administration offered by the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. It requires one semester of full-time study, or equivalent part-time.

The course is available on campus, by flexible delivery or in mixed mode: on-campus/flexible delivery.

It articulates with the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in Public Administration and three 72-unit masters programs - the Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (Management) and Master of Public Administration (Policy).

Sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three levels.

Students who complete the graduate certificate normally receive credit for up to 18 units of topics should they wish to proceed with the graduate diploma or masters.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
  
  

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution.

Admission may be granted based on prior work and voluntary experience. This will usually include several years of experience in a public sector or non-government organisation. Admission will be based on the extent to which work or voluntary experience has enabled the applicant to develop an understanding of issues in the public and non-government sectors, and policy and/or analytical skills.

Applicants who wish to be admitted on this basis need to provide:

• a curriculum vitae
• a description of the roles and activities in work or voluntary positions
• a description of the skills and abilities demonstrated through their work/voluntary experience
• name(s) of referee(s) who could verify work/voluntary experience.

The Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Course aims

The Graduate Certificate in Public Policy aims to introduce the theory and practice of public policy for current and future public servants and those interested in knowing more about how policy is made. 

Learning outcomes

Graduates with a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the dimensions of and approaches to public policy making
• engage in informed debates on particular policy issues (depending on choice of electives).
  
  

Program of study

The program of study comprises:

Core - Year 1 topics

 POAD9014  Public Policy  (4.5 units)

Select one topic from:

 POAD9017  Contemporary Public Policy: Theoretical Perspectives  (4.5 units)
 POAD9137  Ethics in Public Administration  (4.5 units)
 POAD9138  Governance and Public Policy  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

 Select 9 units from:

 EDUC9762  Introduction to Statistics  (4.5 units)
 POAD9015  Economics and Public Policy  (4.5 units)
 POAD9018  Housing Policy  (4.5 units)
 POAD9043  Selected Issues in Public Policy  (4.5 units)
 POAD9119  Regionalism, Decentralisation and Governance  (4.5 units)
 POAD9129  Environmental Policy and Governance  (4.5 units)
 POAD9132  Action learning project/internship (9 units)
 POAD9133  Critical Systems Thinking and Practice  (4.5 units)
 POAD9134  Democracy and Sustainability  (4.5 units)
 POAD9136  Culture and Public Policy  (4.5 units)
 POAD9141  Qualitative Research Methods  (4.5 units)
 SOAD9104  Social Policy  (4.5 units)
 INTR9054  The Alliance: The Strategic Shaping of Australia and US Trade Policy  (4.5 units) *
 POAD9030  Indigenous Issues in Public Policy  (4.5 units) *
 POLI9004  The Politics of Climate Change  (4.5 units) *
 WMST8008  Engendering Justice, Rights, and Representation: Gender, State and Citizenship  (4.5 units) * 

* Not available in distance mode

One topic may be taken from any other post-graduate program with the approval of the Director of Studies.