For anyone who wants to climb the political ladder and make a real difference in society, then getting good credentials behind your name is a good place to start. Having a Master’s degree in Public Policy surely wouldn’t hurt. The political world is complicated, and having a Master’s in Public Policy will equip you to navigate it on all fronts, including the social, economic, and political fronts. But is it worth it? In this article, we plan to answer the question of the benefits of a master’s in public policy.
Pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree in Australia is significantly beneficial because of its diverse applications. For instance, with an MPP, you can follow a career path in politics, economics, international relations, and the development of state and local policy. This degree is also a cross-sector degree, allowing you to find work in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. So, yes, to answer your question, getting your Master of Public Policy is worth it.
What you’ll study
A Master of Public Policy degree will cover several important subjects that are key to equipping graduates in this field of work. These core modules include:
- Foundations of Public Policy
- Equity, Leadership and Policy
- Evidence-Based Policy Analysis
- Data Analytics and Public Policy
- Policy Analysis and Evaluation
- Communicating Policy Expertise
- Co-Design and Deliberative Engagement
- Public Policy Governance and Law
- Leadership, Risk and Managing Change
- Contemporary Policy Issues
- Applied Policy Report
- Public Policy Research Project
Benefits of studying public policy
Aside from improving your job prospects, what are some of the other benefits of doing a master's degree in Public Policy?
1) You’re equipped to work in the private and public sectors
People often confuse this degree with a Master in Government Services, which, while they’re similar, the MPP degree offers graduates an opportunity to diversify because of its cross-sector focus. With this degree, you can pursue a career in the public sector or private
2) You may have the opportunity to travel
As an MPP graduate, some of the jobs you could land are with international organisations. Likewise, working in connection to an immigration office could also be a doorway to allowing you to travel.
3) Your problem-solving skills will level up
Working in government or alongside government can bring up some pretty complex problems. As a result, your course will focus largely on improving your problem-solving skills, equipping you to make effective and decisive decisions no matter the sector you’re working in.
4) You’ll develop technical communication and negotiation skills
A large part of a career in public policy involves communicating effectively and persuasively with others. Whether you’re working with a non-profit organisation or for the local council, you need to be able to negotiate and clearly explain plans and ideas with respected parties.
What are some public policy issues?
Public policy impacts our lives more than you may think. That’s why doing a Master's in public policy is known as a real way to make a difference; it puts you in the right position to make a difference. Public policy issues involve almost every aspect of our lives, including education, fighting climate change, and the health of our areas. We’re all directly impacted by it.
Professor Brenton Prosser from the University of Canberra defines public policies' impact on us as the parameters we use to make decisions as individuals and institutions. Considering that definition, public policy issues would be anything that negatively impacts those parameters and how people live in them.
According to Professor Brenton Prosser from the University of Canberra, public policy affects almost every aspect of our lives. It sets the parameters around the decisions that we make as individuals and within institutions.
Career paths for studying public policy
Again, an MPP degree is versatile and opens up a lot of potential careers for you. With a Master of Public Policy degree, you could choose from the following career paths:
- Industry peak bodies
- Public service
- Local council, state and federal government
- The non-profit sector
- Healthcare
- Intelligence and policy analytics
- Policy planning management.
You could also choose to improve in your current career as well. With an MPP you could climb the ranks in your own organisation, potentially advancing to management positions.
A Master of Public Policy could also help you advance to higher levels within your industry or secure a higher-paying role. According to Sleek, policy managers can earn anywhere between $125,000 to $145,000 per annum.
Final Thoughts
In light of that and the other benefits mentioned above, we’d have to give a massive thumbs up when it comes to studying for a Master's in Public Policy. Not only does it open you up to a world of opportunity in different sectors, but it also provides you with the chance to make a real difference in the world.
