How can public policy promote innovation-based growth? What is lacking in the current social protection policy in your country and how can it be improved? What are the key factors that governments should take into account when forming their migration policy?

If you want to develop the skills to answer these questions in a professional capacity, then the master's programme in Public Policy and Human Development is a good fit for you. 

The Master of Science in Public Policy and Human Development emphasises the connection between public policy and decision-making processes, or more specifically, the effectiveness and efficiency of governance. You will be equipped with a variety of skills, tools and knowledge which enable you to work as a policy designer or policy analyst. You will be capable of working within public and private institutions at local, national and international levels. The one-year master's programme is offered as a double degree in collaboration with United Nations University (UNU-MERIT).

Why this programme?

Public policy issues are growing in complexity and there’s an increasing interconnectedness between local, national and international levels of decision making and implementation.

Due to the increasing complexity of the issues, there is a growing need for specialists in policy analysis who have a combination of technical skills as well as theoretical and specific area knowledge. During the one-year master's programme in Public Policy and Human Development, you will be trained by leading experts from both Maastricht University and United Nations University and will earn two diplomas, one from each institution.

A strong foundation:

The first semester is the same for all students. The focus is on the theories and practice of governance and policy analysis. You will take three courses and several skills trainings covering the general aspects relevant in the fields of governance and policy analysis. You will learn to apply current theories and research in the following academic disciplines:

• public policy
• public economics
• public policy analysis
• data science and statistics
• regression analysis
• research design

This will provide you with a strong foundation and will prepare you to conduct detailed analyses of the issues covered in the specialisation you choose.

Specialisations:

At the end of the first semester, you will choose an area of specialisation. The programme director and the specialisation coordinators will support you in making your selection.

The areas of specialisation are:

• Governance of Innovation (in cooperation with UNU-MERIT)
• Social Protection Policy (in cooperation with the ILO)
• Risk and Vulnerability (in cooperation with UNU-EHS)
• Migration Studies
• Global Governance for Development

An average week:

In the Public Policy and Human Development programme, an average week entails 10-12 contact hours with professors and fellow students. During these contact hours, you will gain in-depth knowledge and functional skills using various educational methods, including:

• lectures
• tutorial groups
• case studies
• hands-on exercises
• essay and paper writing
• presentations
• group discussions
• skills training
• e-learning