The two-year Master of Public Administration (MPA) program integrates three components: knowledge, skills, and practice. In addition to taking core courses in public policy analysis, the rule of law, economics, and research methods, students will have the opportunity to develop and apply thematic expertise through specialist tracks within the program. These are: Security; Development; Governance; Media and Communication; and Higher Education Policy. In the Spring terms, MPA students participate in a series of Skills For Impact modules that develop emotional intelligence, awareness, leadership, negotiation and teambuilding capacities, as well as practical skills such as media training and documentary film making. These are intended for student application during their MPA program, as well as post-graduation employment.  The third program component is the Applied Policy Project, a nine month engagement between student teams and an external client that enables students to bridge classroom and experiential learning in a consultancy style format that is supported by the Project Director, a Faculty Adviser and the client organization.

Overall Aim:

The MPA program develops graduates with the knowledge base and applied skills to critically engage with policy processes and debates, the methods training to promote and advocate for evidenced based policy, and a practitioners perspective that enables them to move from "contemplation to application". This integrated and experiential approach to teaching and learning positions SPP MPA graduates to make a difference in the world of public policy in a period of rapid change, increased complexity, and heightened contestation.

Learning Outcomes:

The principal learning goals of the MPA program are for students to achieve and demonstrate an advanced ability to:

• Understand how issues become "problematized" and politicized in divergent local, national and global settings;
• Critically understand the policy process from design and implementation to monitoring and evaluation, and the ability to identify options and entry points for engagement and advocacy;
• Gather and analyze data and other information sources necessary for evidence based public policies;
• Mainstream gender and conflict sensitivity, rights based approaches and "do no harm" principles that are fundamental to the building of just, fair and open societies.