ObjectivesThe Graduate Program in Public Administration aims to develop knowledge and skills for candidates seeking or consolidating careers in public administration, public policy and the management of public and non-government organisations. Issues are studied in a regional, national and international context, with a particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region. The graduate diploma course provides a basis for continuing on to masters level study within the graduate program and mid-career opportunity for practitioners to address major issues in greater depth and breadth. Learning outcomes At the completion of this course students should be able to: * demonstrate a thorough understanding of the theory and practice of public administration, policy and management; * be familiar with the contemporary theories, trends and developments in public sector administration and management in both developed and developing countries; * demonstrate a critical understanding of the changing role of the government and variety of new strategies through which public services are delivered and assessed; * understand and appreciate the critical need for public managers to acquire and apply new skills for tackling the challenges of the changing work environment; * demonstrate the ability to apply relevant theories in explaining and analysing real world public administration, policy and management problems.
Entry requirementsApplicants must normally hold either the Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management or the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy* (or an approved equivalent); or an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature. Credit may be granted, on application, for relevant work already completed in other approved programs. All students must submit to the Director of Studies a satisfactory proposal for a coherent program of studies which complements their previous studies or professional experiences in public policy and management. * Those who were admitted to the graduate certificate without completing an undergraduate degree must have attained an acceptable GPA in the graduate certificate to be eligible to proceed to the graduate diploma.
Academic titleGraduate Diploma in Public Administration
Course descriptionThe Graduate Diploma in Public Administration is a 36-unit program which is part of the Graduate Program in Public Administration offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences on a fee-paying basis.
It is available on campus, by flexible delivery or in mixed mode, on campus/flexible delivery mode. The graduate diploma requires one year of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).
It articulates with:
* Graduate Certificate in Public Policy
* Master of Public Administration
* Master of Public Administration (Management)
* Master of Public Administration (Policy).
Sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three levels.
Students who have completed the graduate certificate or an approved equivalent normally receive credit for 18 units of topics towards the graduate diploma. In turn, those who complete the graduate diploma normally receive 36 units of credit should they wish to proceed with a masters degree.
Alternatively, students who enrol directly in the graduate diploma may choose to complete only the requirements for the graduate certificate and exit with that award.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Public Administration, students must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
Except with permission of the Faculty Board:
* no topic may be attempted more than twice;
* the program must be completed within six consecutive semesters or, where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Board.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in 12 or more units may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
Students must complete the following topics:
POAD9010
Public Policy
6
POAD9039
Public Management
6
and either
POAD9038
Contemporary Issues in Public Policy, or
6
POAD9124
Governance and Public Policy
6
Plus either
POAD9127
Toolkit for Public Management, or
6
POAD9123
Ethics in Public Administration
6
Plus 12 units selected from the following:
EDES9609
Strategic Planning and Management
6
EDES9625
Knowledge Management for Organisational Learning
6
HMAN8001
Housing Policy
6
HMAN8002
Housing Management
6
HMAN9001
Applied Issues in Housing Management
6
POAD8102
Management in Non-Government Organisations
6
POAD8201
Program Evaluation
6
POAD8202
Risk Management Principles and Practice
6
POAD9027
Economics and Public Policy
6
POAD9033
Urban Policy and Governance
6
POAD9041
Financial and Resource Management
6
POAD9109
Action Learning Project (Policy)
6
POAD9110
Project Management
6
POAD9113
Managing Human Resources in the Public Sector
6
POAD9114
Critical Systems Thinking and Practice
6
POAD9116
Regionalism, Decentralisation and Governance
6
POAD9120
Action Learning Project (Management)
6
POAD9121
Culture and Public Policy
6
POAD9122
Environmental Governance
6
POAD9125
Organisational Politics, Culture and Management
6
POAD9128
Development Administration
6
SOAD9054
Social Policy M
6
Selected topics from other graduate programs including International Development, International Relations, International Business Administration, Environmental Management, Social Administration and Social Work, Asian Governance, Population Studies and Public Health may be approved by the Director of Studies.