Master of Technology Governance

1. Demonstrate deep understanding of regulatory and governance systems for technology, as well as the political and social dimensions of those systems.
2. Gain comprehensive knowledge of current and proposed methods for governing technoscientific innovation, including an appreciation of their distinct strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks. 
3. Understand how institutions approach the governance of critical, disruptive and emerging technologies.
4. Apply theories from regulatory governance, science and technology studies and new transdisciplinary paradigms to the practical challenges of technology governance in Australia, Asia, the Pacific and globally.
5. Demonstrate the ability to understand and synthesise diverse sources of information and to develop clear arguments, delivered orally and in writing and supported by data and evidence

Technology has changed everyday life - in business, in government, at home and at work. Although the rapid growth of digital and physical technologies is full of promise, it also presents risks. Maximising the benefits of digital transformation and innovation requires a new generation of leaders working across public, private and nonprofit sectors.

The Master of Technology Governance is a forward-looking degree that addresses these new and pressing societal challenges. It equips students with the analytic and practical skills to assess and responsibly manage the opportunities and dangers of critical, disruptive and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech and RegTech. The curriculum, comprised of both conceptual and applied courses, offers many opportunities to evaluate and design best practices across domains of commerce, digital identity, food systems, government services, justice, public health and security.

Taught by experts based at the world-renowned School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet), the Master of Technology Governance is a rich transdisciplinary training experience. Students learn how to combine evidence-informed regulatory frameworks with cutting-edge research to analyse real-world problems. By integrating different disciplines and perspectives, graduates are uniquely positioned to assess and respond to complex issues that resonate now and in the future.

Recommended study pattern

The 1.5 year degree of multi-modal delivery, requires the completion of 72 units. 

The Master of Technology Governance requires completion of 72 units which must consist of:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

• REGN8014 Contemporary Issues in Technology Governance (6 units)
• REGN8049 Regulating Disruptive Technologies (3 units)
• REGN8054 Corporations, Power, Regulation (3 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of the following courses on policy governance

• REGN8050 Policy and Practice of Regulation (6 units)
• REGN8052 Regulation and Governance (6 units)

A minimum of 18 units from completion of the following courses on regulation and governance:

• REGN8001 Methods in Interdisciplinary Research (6 units)
• REGN8002 Governance and Social Theory (6 units)
• REGN8021 Fundamentals of Quantitative Analysis for Regulators (3 units)
• REGN8022 Governance in a Complex and Uncertain World (6 units)
• REGN8024 Regulating Nuclear Capabilities (6 units)
• REGN8051 Regulatory Complexity in Asia (3 units)
• REGN8055 Compliance and Defiance (3 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of the following technology and society courses:

• HUMN8028 Digital Culture and Society - Critical Theories and Methodologies
• HUMN8029 Digital Humanities and Public Culture - Issues and Debates
• LAWS8341 Work and the Gig Economy
• LAWS8405 Artificial Intelligence, Law & Society
• NSPO8009 Cyber and Emerging Technologies in National Security
• POGO8138 Science, Technology and Public Policy

A maximum of 30 units from completion of elective courses from the following list:

 Applied Research and Practice

INFS7040 Digital Transformation

INFS8004 Enterprise Systems and Strategy

INFS8205 Digital Strategy, Executive and Operations

MGMT7020 Technology and Project Management

REGN8009 Regulation and Governance Research Project

REGN8012 Special Topics in Regulation and Governance

REGN8057 Regulation and Governance Research and Practice Clinic

Contemporary Governance

CRWF8000 Government, Markets and Global Change

INTR8045 Global Governance

REGN8005 Restorative Justice in the World

REGN8013 Crime, Governance and Security

REGN8018 Governing Consumptagenic Systems

REGN8019 Biyam-burru-wa-la-nha: Indigenous Peoples and Self-Governing Systems

REGN8023 Governing Global Migration

Data Analysis and Methods

SOCR8001 Statistics for Social Scientists

SOCR8002 Survey Data Analysis

SOCR8006 Online Research Methods

SOCR8008 Qualitative Data Collection

SOCR8009 Quantitative Data Collection

 Ethics

INTR8080 Global Ethics

NSPO8008 Ethical Challenges for National Security

NSPO8014 Ethics and Technologies of War

POGO8021 Public Sector Ethics

POGO8076 Corruption and Anti-corruption

SCOM6031 Science Risks and Ethics

 National and Regional Security

INTR8022 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific

NSPO8006 National Security Policymaking 

NSPO8012 Leadership, Risk and National Security Crisis Management 

NSPO8032 Geoeconomics and National Security

NSPO8033 Climate, the Environment and National Security

NSPO8043 Pandemics, Infectious Diseases and National Security 

NSPO8044 Energy Security 

 New Technologies Law

LAWS8035 Cyber Warfare Law

LAWS8077 Cyber Law

LAWS8101 Blockchain & Legal Innovation I

LAWS8102 Blockchain & Legal Innovation II

LAWS8402 Media Law

LAWS8407 International Economic Law and the Digital Economy

LAWS8445 Information Technology Law

 Nuclear Technology Regulation

ENGN8100 Introduction to Systems Engineering

LAWS8316 Nuclear Security Law

PHYS8201 Fundamentals of Nuclear Science

PHYS8202 Reactor Science

PHYS8204 Fundamentals of Nuclear Radiation

PHYS8205 Nuclear Fuel Cycle

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public

 Public Policy

POGO8083 Policy Advocacy

POGO8232 Persuasion for Policymakers

POGO8233 Policy Tools & Mixes

POGO8236 Policy Strategy

POGO8240 Evidence Based Thinking: Decision Making and Policy Development

NSPO8047 How Canberra Works: A Guide for Security Policymakers

SOCR8202 Using Data to Answer Policy Questions and Evaluate Policy

 A maximum of 6 units from completion of experiential courses:

• ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program Internship A
• VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity
• VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World
• VCPG6004 Creating Impact

Award requirements

The 1.5 year degree of multi-modal delivery, requires the completion of 72 units

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.

Learn more about ANU.

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4

Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

4

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. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

• Bachelor or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or

• Bachelor 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 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.

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.

• Graduate Records Examination (GRE) General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 [150 for MIDEC and MEREC] for Verbal Reasoning, 155 [160 for MIDEC and MEREC] for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 [3.5 for MIDEC and MEREC] 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.

Academic achievement & English language proficiency

The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0. 

However, applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. 

If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of: 

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or

• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency. 

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (one semester) of credit. Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 48 units (one year) of credit.

Cognate Disciplines

Anthropology, Asian studies, applied data studies, criminology, cybernetics, development studies, international relations, law, Pacific studies, political science, policy studies, psychology, security studies, sociology