This degree examines the processes, institutions and practices of public policy. It is designed for graduates interested in pursuing a career in, or currently working in, public policy within or outside of government. 

Core courses provide students with a solid foundation in policy processes, governance institutions, policy analysis and research.

The degree also equips students with important skills for analysing and researching public policy, and communicating persuasively on policy relevant matters. 

Through interactive and case-based teaching, students debate and reflect on the challenges of governing public policy in a dynamic, interconnected, global and increasingly digital world. 

Designed and taught by world-class public policy scholars from the Crawford School of Public Policy at ANU, this Masters degree equips graduates for successful and productive careers in public policy.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate deep understanding of public policy and its key challenges and issues, in Australia and globally
2. Understand processes and challenges of agenda-setting, formulation, implementation, management and evaluation of public policy
3. Reflect critically on key theoretical debates in the field of public policy including its practical application across cultural, developmental and institutional contexts
4. Demonstrate understanding of methods for policy research and analysis and identify and apply them with appropriate tools to public policy issues
5. Analyse, synthesise and communicate complex, political and institutional policy problems from multiple perspectives

Specialisations

• Contemporary Regulation
• Economic Policy
• Environment and Public Policy
• Foreign and Defence Policy
• Global Development Policy
• Health Policy
• Integrity and Anti-Corruption
• International Policy
• Policy Analysis
• Policy Communication
• Population Change
• Public Finance
• Social Policy
• Social Research Methods

• Academic/Official Transcripts
• Language Proficiency
• Passport or Visa Documents
• Work Experience Documents (If applicable)

• Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or
• Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or
• Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7; or
• Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7; or
• 48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7; or
• Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or
• Graduate Records Examination (GRE) General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 for Verbal Reasoning, 155 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or
• A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

Application for course credits

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units (one semester) of credit. 

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Bachelor degree with Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 48 units (one year) of credit. 

Cognate Disciplines

Anthropology, Demography, Development Studies, Economics, Geography, International Relations, Law, Policy Studies, Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology