Master of Public Administration (Applied)

Teesside University

United Kingdom, Middlesbrough

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Teesside University

United Kingdom , Middlesbrough

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesJanuary-2024

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 2 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 9,000 / year

Next Intake January-2024

Master of Public Administration (Applied)

About

The Applied route allows you to develop practice-based experience by spending one semester completing an internship, research or study abroad experience.

You develop highly transferrable critical thinking, communication, leadership, and research skills and examine significant policy challenges facing society.

You analytically examine the key issues involved in policy development and public engagement and gain an understanding of the value of considering them together to facilitate successful implementation.

You also consider the development and intersections of key aspects of public policy such as health, welfare, crime, education and housing to prepare you for careers in government, public-private partnerships, and the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sectors.

The Master of Public Administration is the most widely recognised graduate management qualification within public and third sectors. It combines public administration, sociology, politics, public policy and law. The MPA is attractive to sectors including local and national government, the civil service, private and public sector consultancy, NGOs,.

Core modules

Applied Practice

You gain real-world practical experience in a professional setting to enhance your employability and accompany your academic learning. You undertake an applied practice opportunity to develop your work-related knowledge, skill set and aspirations. With support from the University's careers advisors you apply for either an external internship opportunity or a project within the university working alongside practising researchers.

You are assessed through a reflective portfolio; this module does not count towards the overall degree classification.

Contemporary Issues in Public Administration, Politics and Policy

You study the most important issues in public administration, politics and policy in the modern world at local, national and international levels, and will be assigned a supervisor to explore an area of independent research into a contemporary issue in public administration, politics or policy. You design an area of independent study, determining the contemporary subject area, methodology and structure of the assessment. You write a learning contract outlining the aims, methods and outcomes of the study, and complete a reflective learning log which will develop awareness of research, learning processes and time-management.

Dissertation

You apply your knowledge, written communication and research skills to a specific area of interest relevant to the field in a dissertation or knowledge exchange equivalent of 15,000 words. The dissertation can take a traditional format or the form of knowledge exchange such as a systematic review and policy recommendations, or a research report to a public body.

International Law

You gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles and structures which underpin international law, the sources and modes of development of international law, the nature of key international institutions and of the operation and enforcement of international law in specific areas and in the context of current international issues. You critically examine the extent to which international law performs its function of maintaining the international legal order.

Introduction to Public Administration and Policy

You assess the principles and theories in the management of the public sector and investigate key policy debates. The module offers you a comprehensive survey of the key literature and theories underpinning the study of policy conception and analysis alongside training in undertaking research into the public policy process.

You investigate the practice of public administration across history using case study examples, which questions how policies are implemented, impacted and evaluated within different contexts across public administration. You are encouraged to engage in debates about current public and social policy issues in areas such as local government, health, welfare and crime.

Social Research Methods

You develop an advanced understanding of the processes and issues of social research. Drawing upon the philosophical underpinnings which are central to research methodologies, you consider the relationship between theory, methods and data. You also critically consider the need to balance theory with conducting research on real issues in the real world. This ensures you have a coherent understanding of the decisions researchers make when deciding which research methods to use and to develop practical skills in using a variety of research methods. You also develop a sound understanding of ethical and practical issues in designing, conducting and analysing research.

Modules offered may vary.

You learn through a variety of teaching methods including seminars, tutorials and projects, with an emphasis on participatory and active learning. You are taught by a range of research-active academic staff, ranging from the level of lecturer to professor.

You study six modules across the degree, including a 60-credit dissertation. For the three standard taught modules you receive three hours contact time per week. For the negotiated project module (Contemporary Issues in Public Administration and Policy) you receive three hours per week of contact time in the first half of the module and weekly individual meetings with an assigned supervisor in the second half. In the Dissertation module, you are assigned a supervisor for up to ten hours of individual meetings. In the Applied Practice module you are afforded the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a public administration setting and to complete a reflective portfolio. Outside of the formally taught sessions, you are also expected to work independently under staff guidance, with an emphasis on reading extensively on a weekly basis.

Modules are continuously assessed so you receive regular feedback to help develop your skills and abilities. Methods of summative assessment include a research proposal, presentation, policy brief, negotiated project, standard essay and a 15,000 word dissertation. There is a variety of summative assessments including in-class presentations, supervisory discussion and draft work. Assessed work will be marked according to university timelines, and feedback will be available both electronically and in project tutorials. Across these assessments there is a strong emphasis on employability through the acquisition of a wide range of transferrable skills.

Disciplines

Politics

Requirements

Entry Requirements

A bachelor degree with a minimum of 65%, 2.5/4.0 or good

Career

The Applied Practice module gives you the opportunity to be placed on an internship, research or study abroad project working alongside the University's Student Futures team. These projects could include a placement in an affiliated international office, a public or private workplace, or a research project.

Our Master of Public Administration (Applied) is of great benefit if you are working within, or seeking to work in the public, public-private and third sectors. You engage critically with policy problems and solutions, and have a chance to apply this learning to a real-world setting through Applied Practice.

Examples of jobs graduates of public administration masters go into include working private sector consultancy, non-governmental organisations, international organisations and public sector employment. The holistic perspective across key policy areas is also vital if you are looking to work in government or local government, as well as the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 9,000

How to Apply

Applying Online - Information Required to Complete Your Application

Personal Details

- Full Name, including title
- Sex
- Date of Birth
- E-mail Address
- Telephone Number
- Home and Correspondence addresses, including postcode
- Alternative email Addresses
- Country of Permanent Residence or Local Authority
- Country of Birth
- Nationality
- Ethnicity - this data will not be accessible to those making the application decision
- Type of applicant - choose from UK/EU or Overseas
- Who is entering the application - choose from Applicant, University Staff/Overseas Office or Other Third Party
- Disability
- Whether your parents/guardians have Higher Education qualifications
- Details of any previous study or application to this University

Payment of Fees

- Who is paying your fees
- Name and address of your Fee Payer
- Details of any previous funding body and previous course

Overseas Applicants Only

- Date of entry to UK/EU
- Passport Number (if you need a visa)
- Previous UK study, including details of any previous visas, overstays in the UK and visa refusals

University Staff and Office/Agent Applications Only

- School/Office Code
- Agent Code
- Agent Name
- Agent Company
- Reference Number

Qualifications

Qualifications Held (maximum of 6)
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

- Year and month awarded
- Qualification type, level and subject
- Grade
- Awarding Establishment e.g. College/University Name

Qualifications Pending (maximum of 6)
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

- Year and month of exam
- Qualification type, level and subject
- Date grade expected
- Awarding Establishment e.g. College/University Name

Highest qualification

Portfolio Details

Foreign Language Courses Only

- Qualifications and experience in chosen language
- where more than one occurence of a courses runs in paralell, indicate which group you wish to join

Professional Qualifications

- Professional/Statutory Body and Registration PIN
- Other course specific professional details as required

School of Health & Social Care courses only

- NHS PIN
- NHS Trust / Practice details
- National Insurance Number
- Assignment/Employee Number
- Line manager name and email address
- Full or part time
- Pay band
- Profession, Staff Group and Job Role
- Other course specific details as required

Social Work Practice Education courses only

- Social Work Registration Number

Erasmus Applications

Details of the Exchange Co-ordinator at Your Home Institution
- Name
- Position
- Email Address

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships

- Unique Learner Number
- National Insurance Number
- *Employer Code
- *Employer Postcode (This is your normal place of work which may be different from the company's main postcode)
- *Number of employees at this postcode
- Highest level qualifications in English language and mathematics

*Your employer should be able to supply this information

Last Two Education Establishments Attended
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

- Name and address
- Dates from and to
- Full or Part time
- Level of study

English Language Ability
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

Whether English is your first language

If not

- IELTS - score, date of exam and Test Report Form Number
- Other test - name, score and date of exam

Work Experience (maximum of 2)
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, a reduced set of employment information is requested)

- Employers name
- Job title
- Dates from and to
- Full or Part time
- Main responsibilities

Summer & Winter University Courses Only

- Whether you are enrolled or due to enrol on a college or university course
- If so, where and which course
- Whether you are thinking of starting a Higher Education course
- If so, area of interest/study
- Reason for applying to Summer/Winter University

Referee
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

- Name
- Address
- Other contact details

Note : some course will require two referees, e.g. PHD courses

Personal Statement
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this information is not requested)

Can be uploaded as a document or entered as text

It is suggested that your statement is prepared electronically in advance of starting the application

Enrolment

Some short courses may ask you to provide enrolment information as part of the application. This will require extra details but also means you will not be asked to complete the full on-line registration process at a later date.

This data will not be accessible to those making the application decision

- Type of Term-time Accomodation
- Next of Kin Name
- Next of Kin Telephone Number
- Next of Kin Relationship
- Religious Beliefs
- Criminal Conviction Declaration

Documents currently available for upload
(For certain courses e.g. Summer University courses & other short courses, this option is not available)

- Reference
- Personal Statement
- CV
- Results
- Proof of English Language Qualifications, e.g. IELTS or TOEFL certificate
- Passport
- Previous Visas
- Previous Visa Refusals

For Research courses, the following additional uploads are mandatory

- Research Proposal
- Research Training Document
- Research Personal Statement
- Research Sponsorship/funding letter