Master of Public Policy: Policy Communication Specialisation

Upon completion of the study, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of key terms, concepts and ideas on the communicative and participatory aspects of public policy;
2. Engage critically in theoretical and practical literature on policy advocacy and public engagement;
3. Analyse communicative and participatory aspects of policy making drawing connections between theory and practice;
4. Reflect critically on the changing communicative and participatory landscape of contemporary public policy;
5. Demonstrate the ability to think independently, develop informed perspectives and persuasively communicate in the field of public policy.

This specialisation engages students in the communicative aspects of public policy.

Students examine how actors both within and outside government seek to communicate, advocate and participate in the policy process. Particular emphasis is given to the form and nature of policy communication, persuasion, public engagement, and public talk. Students study the principles of effective policy communication, persuasion and participatory policy making including policy argumentation, rhetoric, inclusion, participation, representation and legitimacy.

Through applied examples and cases students consider the practicalities, challenges and politics involved in realising these ideals in contemporary governance. Students will reflect critically on how the communicative landscape of public policy is changing in an era of digital technology and 24/7 news cycles. Electives provide a variety of courses through which students can deepen their knowledge of how actors communicate, campaign and talk in contemporary public policy.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, subjects in this degree can include:

• Policy Advocacy
• Participating in Public Policy: Citizen Engagement and Public Talk
• Interest Groups, Advocacy and Public Policy
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
• Communicating for Environment and Climate Policy
• Digital Culture and Society - Critical Theories and Methodologies
• Marketing and Stakeholder Communications

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you. 

Award requirements

The Master of Public Policy Specialisation: Policy Communication requires that 24 of the 96 units for the Master of Public Policy must be from the list of courses in the specified area.

Australian National University is a world-leading university in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. With ties to the Australian Government, they have special standing as a resource for the Australian people. Their approach to education ensures graduates are in demand the world-over for their abilities to address complex contemporary challenges. Offering innovative online subjects from beginning to advanced levels through Open Universities Australia, they meet varied students’ needs and goals.

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At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis.

· Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or

· Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

· Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7; or

· Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7; or · 48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7; or

· Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

· Graduate Records Examination (GRE) General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 for Verbal Reasoning, 155 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

· A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Applications must show English language proficiency by meeting ANU's English Language Requirements for admission to study this course.

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree, Bachelor degree with Honours, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units.