Curriculum
MPA students will be required to complete 40 Modular Credits and obtain at least a Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of minimum 3.0. You need to complete the following:
- 3 Core modules
- 2 Elective modules from the Public Management & Leadership Specialisation area
- 4 Elective modules
- Governance Study Project
Core Modules
The Core modules focus on imparting practical skills, disciplinary knowledge, and interdisciplinary competencies necessary for the work done by policy practitioners, researchers, public managers and leaders.
Hide the list of core modulesShow the list of core modules- PP5801 Economic Analysis (4 Modular Credits)
Modern public policy experts need a solid grounding in Economics to be able to craft policies that take into account the economic factors that affect nearly all aspects of policy making. The first half of this course introduces the principles of microeconomics and applications are introduced via cases on externalities, taxation and public goods, regulation and competition policy, and trade policy. The second half deals with the tools of macroeconomic policy. Topics include macroeconomic indicators, exchange rate determination, inflation, policies for economic growth and stabilisation. - PP5802 Policy Analysis (4 Modular Credits)
Public sector managers are frequently confronted with decisions about whether or not to initiate, continue, modify, or terminate policies or programs, and the knowledge and skills in policy analysis and program evaluation are essential for them to make intelligent choices. The module will cover important considerations in conducting policy analysis and evaluation, such as identifying policy problems, establishing criteria, assessing policy alternatives, choosing among policies, and evaluating policy impacts. - PP5803 Public Management (4 Modular Credits)
Public managers are answerable to various groups of people including those within hierarchical structures, political parties and politicians, citizens and civil society groups, and international actors and organizations. Also, public managers are often caught in policy dilemmas and are tasked to carry out policy promises in very challenging contexts. This course aims to introduce students to key concepts in the discipline of public administration.
Governance Study Project
MPA students will have to undertake the Governance Study Project (GSP), a year-long team-based module. Consisting of a study trip at the end of the first semester, and a final conference at the end of the special term. The GSP connects the beginning to the end of the MPA degree programme, requiring students to apply the knowledge and skills learnt in each module. Through projects that are real public problems in the region, students will acquire skills related to analysis of complex managerial problems, basic research, and writing and other presentational modes. The GSP also aims for students to develop higher emotional intelligence, team building and a strong sense of cohort.
Electives from the Public Management and Leadership Specialisation
MPA students will have to take 2 modules from the Public Management and Leadership Specialisation area.
Electives
You can choose to read any 4 Elective modules. For a list of all Elective modules offered, click here.
Cross-Faculty Modules
Students may also register for a maximum of 2 Elective modules offered in other postgraduate programmes, such as Business Administration, Economics, Political Science and Southeast Asian Studies.
Typical MPA Academic Calendar for AY 2017-18
| Mid-July to Aug | Orientation Programme |
|---|
Semester 1
Aug to Nov | 1 Common Curriculum module
Governance Study Project
3 Elective modules* |
| End-Nov to early-Dec | Examinations |
| Dec | Governance Study Trip
Vacation |
Semester 2
Jan to Apr | 2 Common Curriculum modules
Governance Study Project
2 Elective modules* |
| End-Apr to early-May | Examinations |
Special Term
Mid-May to mid-July | Governance Study Project
1 Elective module* |
| Mid-July | Examinations |
* MPA students must complete 2 modules from the Public Management and Leadership specialisation in one or two of the semesters.
Continuation and Termination
A student who fails a core module must retake and pass the examination in that core module in a subsequent semester or the special term. A student who fails an elective module may subject to approval of the school, retake the module or choose an alternative module and pass the examination in the module in a subsequent semester or the special term.
A student’s CAP should not fall below 2.5 for two consecutive semesters or 3.0 for two consecutive semesters and the special term. A student who fails to maintain the minimum CAP as stipulated would have his/her candidature terminated. A student who fails in a module in a second attempt or fails in more than two modules throughout the course of study will be required to terminate his/her candidature.
Enquiries
Aside from the comprehensive information on our admissions page, if you have any other queries or would like to receive a copy of our programme brochure, please submit your request via our query form. Alternatively, you may also speak to our admissions officers at +65 65168004.