Master of Public Administration

Overview
Study on campus or online in 2022
In 2022, all courses offered by the Crawford School will be available for either online or on campus study. Online students are expected to attend live online sessions at a particular time each week for their courses. Crawford online courses are not ‘study at your own pace’.
Participation
Real-time interaction, discussion and debate between students and with convenors is an central part of the learning experience. Attendance at interactive classes is important for both on campus and online students.
Enhance your government leadership and program management capabilities with a Masters degree in public administration. Complete your ANU postgraduate qualification in 1.5 years.
- Degree designed for future leaders and managers of public organisation in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors
- 1.5 year Masters degree with up to .5 year (24 units) credit available
- Understand the complexities and challenges of facilitating public action
- Disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives on public administration
This degree is an effective way to jumpstart your leadership and management career in public administration. Taught by internationally-renowned researchers and teachers, you will learn essential skills in program implementation and public sector management that can be applied within and across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Complete your postgraduate study in just 1.5 years with the Master of Public Administration.
With a focus on key disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives on public administration, management and governance – clustered in terms of people and finance, law and regulation, policy systems, and international governance – you will develop an in-depth understanding of the complexities of organising public action.
By integrating theory and practice, you will gain high-level skills that are flexible and transferable from one agency/ministry to another. As a graduate, you will be valued for your ability to foster debate and provide comparative insights to address the dynamics of continuity and change in government and governance.
Related disciplines
- Economic Policy
- Economics
- Law
- International Politics
- Political Economy
- Political Sciences
- Project Management
- Sociology
Application Deadlines
Please note application deadlines are different for domestic or international students.
Domestic students
This program is with pre-sessional component for domestic students.
Apply by 15 December 2021 for Semester 1 2022 and by 31 May 2022 for Semester 2 2022.
International students
Find ANU’s general application and acceptance deadlines by visiting the timetable linked here.
Key application dates
• Semester 1 2023 intake:
Final closing date: 15 October 2022
Final acceptance date: 1 December 2022
Pre-sessional program (PSP) start date: mid January 2023
• Semester 2 2023 intake:
Final closing date: 15 March 2023
Final acceptance date: 1 June 2023*
Pre-sessional program (PSP) start date: mid June 2023
*Some students may need to accept well before this date to allow for visa processing times in their country.
View the full degree program structure, admission requirements and academic information.
To find out more, contact us at crawford.degrees@anu.edu.au today.
Degree structure
Your MPA studies will be built around 3 integrated components to ensure a comprehensive learning experience.
You’ll complete a total of 72 units based on the following degree structure:
Professional core
A professional ‘core’ of knowledge broadly recognized as essential to the institutional role of public sector managers. Complete 30 units from these compulsory courses:
POGO8137 Public Administration: Legal and Organizational Foundations
POGO8062 Public Sector Management
POGO8057 Managing Government Finances
Masterclasses
A curated range of courses providing access to emerging and/or specialized concepts and techniques relevant to contemporary professional practice. Complete a minimum of 18 units from these masterclasses:
POGO8231 Leading in Public Administration
POGO8236 Strategic Policy Development Fundamentals
POGO8232 Persuasion for Policymakers
POGO8240 Evidence Based Thinking (EBT): Decision Making and Policy Development
POGO8234 Unpacking Policy Capacity
POGO8235 Engaging China: Working with Policy in the PRC
POGO8230 Gender Analysis in Public Policy
POGO8237 Budgeting for Outcomes: Purposes, Programs and Performance
POGO8238 Fundamentals of Intergovernmental Management
POGO8239 Contemporary Challenges to Indigenous Policy
NSPO8041 Borders, Migration and Security
NSPO8043 Pandemics, Infectious Diseases and National Security
Professional experience
A capstone ‘work integrated learning’ experience that allows students to select a combination of organizational internship, research and elective coursework to suit their interests and professional development needs. Complete a minimum of 6 units from these courses:
POGO8140 Practice-Based Project
CRWF8019 Public Policy and Professional Internship
CRWF7000 Applied Policy Project
Electives to suit your interests and career
Complete a minimum of 12 units from a range of public administration courses.
Duration
1.5 years full time depending on credit
Admission requirements
A bachelor’s degree or international equivalent with minimum GPA 5/7. Or, view alternative requirements by clicking the link here.
Credit
Applicants with a Bachelor Degree, Bachelor degree with Honours, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units credit (1 semester, 4 courses).
Cognate disciplines
If you have prior study in one of the following cognate disciplines, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree:
Economic Policy, Economics, Law, International Politics, Political Economy, Political Sciences, Project Management, Sociology
View the full degree program structure, admission requirements and academic information.
Academics
Sharon Bessell
Professor, Policy and Governance; Director, Children’s Policy Centre; Director, Poverty and Inequality Research Centre
Contact details
Ben Hillman
Associate Professor
Interim Director, Australian Centre on China in the World
Contact details
News
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Scholarships and fees
Fees
Costs associated with your study at ANU will depend on a number of things, including your study program and whether you’re a national or international student.
Find out more about costs and fees associated with studying at ANU.
Scholarships and support
Scholarship opportunities are available for national and international students.
Updated: 29 May 2022/Responsible Officer: Crawford Engagement/Page Contact: CAP Web Team