Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Public Policy is designed to equip professionals with practical knowledge and skills in policy-making and management across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. This program aims to create meaningful change with lasting influence on individual lives and communities, building a rewarding career in government, non-profit, or corporate sectors.

Program Structure

The course comprises 96 points structured into four parts:

• Part A: Principal study, which immerses students in public policy studies at a graduate level, addressing essential elements of public policy, policy processes, analysis, implementation, evaluation, governance, and the context of contemporary public policy.
• Part B: Applied study, focusing on professional or scholarly work contributing to a portfolio of professional development.
• Part C: Professional enhancement, designed in association with industry experts to build essential competencies for career pathways.
• Part D: Specialist study, developing expertise in a specialisation: Policy studies or Global studies.

Specialisations

Students can choose from two specialisations:

• Global studies
• Policy studies Depending on the specialisation, students will graduate with either a Master of Global Public Policy or a Master of Public Policy.

Entry Requirements

To be considered for entry, applicants must satisfy the following entrance requirements:

• Minimum Entry Requirements (International students):
  • Entry level 1: 96 points to complete, 2 years full-time, with an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) and at least credit (60%) average.
  • Entry level 2: 72 points to complete, 1.5 years full-time, with an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline and at least credit (60%) average, or an Australian graduate certificate (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline with at least 50% average in both qualifications.
  • Entry level 3: 48 points to complete, 1 year full-time, with an Australian bachelor honours degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline and at least credit (60%) average.
• Cognate disciplines include humanities or social sciences.
• English entry requirements: Level A IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.5, or Pearson Test of English (Academic) with an overall score of 58, or TOEFL Internet-based test with an overall score of 79.

Career Opportunities

Graduates possess skills and knowledge to excel in policy areas across both public and private sectors, including:

• Advocacy
• Communications
• Consulting
• Management
• Policy design, analysis, and evaluation
• Politics
• Program administration and evaluation
• Research

Fees

Fees are subject to change annually. The international fee for 2025 is A$43,400 per 48 credit points, which represents a standard full-time course load for a year.

Scholarships

Over 360 types of scholarships are offered, valued at up to $280,000. Some scholarships offer one-off payments, while others continue for the length of the course.

Enrolment Obligations

International students enrolling in a CRICOS-registered course can study no more than one third (33%) of their course by distance and/or online learning. Students must enrol in at least one unit that is not by distance and/or online in each compulsory study period unless completing the last unit of their course.

Why Study Public Policy at Monash?

• Industry connections: Benefit from the course advisory board, which includes top practitioners in major policy fields.
• Academic experts and industry leaders: Gain insights from esteemed public policy experts from diverse faculties across the university.
• Professional enhancement: Develop essential transferable professional skills with the tailor-made Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) units.
• Research pathway available: High-achieving students may undertake a research thesis, paving the way to a Higher Degree by Research such as a PhD.
• Flexible study options: Tailor the course and choose units to suit career goals and work/life commitments, with study modes including on-campus, online, full-time, or part-time.