Postgraduate

Master of Public Administration

On this page

• Description
• Planning your studies
• Courses
• Learning outcomes
• Credit for previous study elsewhere
• On completion
• Regulations
• How to register

Description

This qualification is for managers aspiring to senior positions in international agencies, federal, national, regional and local government, the uniformed services, ’quangos’, NGOs, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises. It will be particularly relevant if you are involved in delivering policy, leading modernisation projects, and supporting innovation. At times, the programme will involve collaboration between managers working in all three sectors (public, private, non-profit). Reflecting the extent of international influences and policy transfer, it has a strong trans-national dimension. Nevertheless, the main focus is on enhancing your capacities in your field of work – and to that end it provides additional resources for most of the main fields of public service (such as Health, Education, Criminal Justice, the Civil Service, Trans-national Public Action.). It is also highly flexible: your options can be chosen from a wide list including courses relevant to such fields as international development, education, social policy or the environment. One of the compulsory courses, Current issues in public management and social enterprise (B857), is itself modular, offering further opportunities to ensure maximum relevance to the particular challenges you face.

The OU Business School is accredited internationally by the European Foundation for Management Development, through its EQUIS programme; and by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

What does the programme deliver?

The MPA themes include an emphasis on:

• leadership development – including enhanced interpersonal skills, confidence, resilience and clarity about public service values
• performance tools and approaches – a solid grounding in the key ideas and techniques every senior manager needs to be familiar with
• seeing the bigger picture and making local sense – understanding institutional renewal, policy discourse and processes, social and economic trends
• networks and partnerships – being ‘professionally multilingual’, working collaboratively across boundaries.

As with all OU Business School courses, you will be expected to draw on your past management experience and current work challenges, but additional emphasis will be given to collaborative learning through shared investigations.

What is different about our MPA?

Because the OU Business School operates trans-nationally on a large-scale, our MPA is uniquely able to offer you the benefits of a general masters degree programme involving cross-sector (public/private/voluntary) mixing across a diverse range of public services along with all the advantages of a more specialist programme based on working and networking with peer groups in your particular field. The MPA achieves this by blending:

• Generic courses – from our MBA programme but enhanced by a large and diverse number of public and non-profit students working with managers from the private sector.
• MPA-specific courses – featuring activities and assignments that may draw on field-specific learning resources and collaboration with others working in the fields of, for instance:
  • Health and Social Care
  • Defence
  • Regional and local government planning and services.

Planning your studies

All entrants to the MPA are expected to have organisational experience, some of it at a middle level of management or above. You must have a minimum of three years’ experience in a managerial, professional or technical role. Usually this means that you are at least 25 years old.

The MPA qualification is in two stages. If you start the MPA programme at Stage 1, you have the chance of completing the programme in two and a half years or you can choose to follow a longer timetable more suitable to your circumstances.  However, please note that, if you qualify for the degree on 1 January 2010 or later, you will need to have obtained the credit required from courses or any permitted credit transfer for the award during a period not exceeding ten years.

You must expect to successfully complete Stage 1 before you enrol on Stage 2.

Stage 1

There are four routes through Stage 1:

Route 1 – if you already have a bachelors level qualification

To follow this route, you must have at least a bachelors level qualification from a recognised university in Europe, the Commonwealth or rest of the world or the equivalent. Further details are set out under Approved Minimum Entry Requirements below. If you are eligible for this route, you can complete Stage 1 either by taking the Certificate in Business Administration course, Fundamentals of senior management (B713) or, if your qualification is in the business studies area, you can study the Professional Diploma in Management course Managing performance and change (B700) (see under Approved Minimum Entry Requirements below for more about which course you are eligible for given your qualifications). Both B713 and B700 each involve 600 hours of study over 12 months.

Route 2 – if you already hold the Professional Diploma in Management

If you have our Professional Diploma in Management (D64) you can count this as Stage 1 of the MPA.

Route 3 – if you are experienced in managerial work

If you are experienced in managerial work but not eligible for Route 1 or 2, you can take our Professional Certificate in Management (C31) prior to entering Stage 1. When you complete that certificate, you are then eligible to study our Professional Diploma in Management (D64) as Stage 1 of the MPA. The certificate followed by the diploma will take two years.

Route 4 – if you already have an MBA

If you have a recognised MBA the courses you will need to study will depend on what you have already studied in that MBA.

If your MBA is from The Open University, you will only need those Stage 2 courses that make up this MPA degree but which you did not study for your MBA (or MPA), provided that at least 60 points are unique to this MPA.

If your MBA is not from The Open University, you will need to apply for credit transfer (see Credit for previous study elsewhere below) and you will be informed officially about which courses you will need. Probably, you will be allowed straight on to Stage 2; and possibly you will only need 90 points of the Stage 2 courses.

If you need advice about entry to the programme, please ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

Stage 2

Your first Stage 2 course would normally be Shaping public policy: contexts and processes (B856). Once you have completed B856 you are then able to continue with the rest of Stage 2, comprising Current issues in public management and social enterprise (B857), a course option from a wide choice (see below) and Making a difference (B830). There are various combinations in which these four courses can be taken. The shortest route (a minimum of 18 months) is to take B856 for six months followed in the final 12 months by taking B857 and one of the course options in succession but also taking them simultaneously with B830. The longest route (a minimum of two and a half years) is to take B856, then B857 and the course option in either order, and finish with B830.

If you qualify for this award on 1 January 2010 or later, then you must have passed the courses required during a period not exceeding ten years. If you fail or withdraw from a course you are allowed to retake it once.

Your MPA qualification must include at least 60 credit points from OU courses that have not been counted in any other OU qualification you have been awarded.

Courses

For this 180-point masters degree you require:

Stage 1 – 60 points from the following compulsory courses:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued course B800

Stage 2 – 90 points from these compulsory courses:

Note: B830 should be taken after B856, and alongside or after B857 and your Stage 2 optional course.

And 30 points from the following optional courses (see below for more information on choices):

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses B824, BS811, BZX824 T860, T861, TXX861, TXX863, TUXX870, TUXX875

* 60-point course of which only 30 points can count towards the MPA

Choice of optional course

You may choose as an optional masters level course worth at least 30 points from any OU programme provided you can show that it is professionally relevant to your work and career. Some of the courses that are likely to be relevant e.g. on social policy, on international development, on criminology – are listed below. However, the variety of roles and professional specialisms involved in the public services is enormous, and if you see another masters level course that is not listed but that would be more appropriate to your particular situation, then get in touch with the MPA Programme Manager.

We cannot guarantee that the same programme of courses will continue to be available throughout your study period but we are committed to providing suitable equivalent courses at all times.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.

Credit for previous study elsewhere

If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate or masters level at another institution or with a professional body we may be able to give you credit that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.

From 1 January 2008, a maximum of 30 points credit transfer will be available. As Stage 1 comprises a single 60-point course, credit transfer will only be possible towards Stage 2, in the form of 30 points of course-related credit.

Credit transfer details for this qualification:

• Essential Information Sheets - Master of Public Administration

On completion

On successful completion of the required courses you will be awarded a Master of Public Administration and will be entitled to use the letters MPA (Open) after your name. You will have the option of being presented at a degree ceremony.

Approved minimum entry requirements

Routes 2 and 4 entry for the MPA via the Professional Diploma in Management, an MBA or another postgraduate qualification is explained under Planning your studies above.

The higher education awards and professional qualifications listed below meet the Route 1 entry requirements; some that contain postgraduate study may entitle you to credit transfer for part of your MPA (see Credit for previous study elsewhere). If you are not eligible for either of these routes, then you can still embark on a study programme leading to the MPA via Route 3 (see Planning your studies).

Awards from higher education institutions (including the OU)

A bachelors or masters degree from a university or other recognised degree awarding body in Europe, the Commonwealth or the rest of the world.

*N.B. if your degree specialism or major is in business studies, management or a closely related discipline, you can choose B700 for Stage 1. If not, then you should choose B713 for Stage 1.

Your degree must be at least equivalent to a bachelors degree from an English, Welsh or Northern Irish university. In those countries, these are commonly referred to as bachelors degrees with honours or honours degrees, as distinct from foundation degrees, ordinary degrees and pass degrees. They comprise at least 360 CATS points at undergraduate level, of which at least 120 must be at or above undergraduate level 3, and would normally involve a minimum of 3 years of equivalent full-time study. (N.B. This specification is based in the Bologna agreement regarding 3 years of full-time higher education study giving rise to a bachelors qualification). The following is a list of degree names recognised as bachelors level or above in European jurisdictions other than England, Wales and Northern Ireland:

AUSTRIA
Diplomstudium/Magister

BELGIUM
Licencie/Licentiaat/Ingenieur Industriel/Industrieel Ingenieur

CZECH REPUBLIC
Magister

DENMARK
Candidatus Philosophiae (CandPhil)
Candidatus Magisterii
Magisterkonferens (Magister Artium/Magister Scientiarum)

FINLAND
Until 1996:
Kandidaatti/Kandidat (Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti, Proviisori) (N.B.: course lasts longer than 3 years)
Licentiate (Lisensiaatti/Licenciat)
New system implemented from 1993 to 1996:
Maisteri/magister (5 years)

FRANCE
Maîtrise
Diplôme d’Ingénieur/Magistere

GERMANY
Diplom/Erstes Staatsexamen/Magister Artium
Staatsprüfung/Lizentiat

GREECE
Ptychion (Bachelor degree) awarded by an AEI

HUNGARY
Egyetemi Oklevel

IRELAND
Bachelors
Masters

ITALY
Diploma di Laurea

LIECHTENSTEIN
Mag Phil from the International Academy for Philosophy

NETHERLANDS
Doctoraal

NORWAY
Candidatus Magisteri
Candidatus Realium, Candidatus Philologiae

POLAND
Magister

PORTUGAL
Licenciado/Diploma do ciclo especial/DESE

SCOTLAND
Bachelors
Masters

SLOVAKIA
Magister/Inzinier (formerly Absolvent Vysoké Skoly)/Professional title

SLOVENIA
Univerzitetna ali visokošolska diploma

SPAIN
Licenciado/Titulo de Ingeniero/Titulo de Arquitecto

SWEDEN
Masters degree/Magisterexamen

SWITZERLAND
Diplom/Diplôme/Lizentiat/Licence/Staat sdiplom/Diplom d’Etat

Awards from professional bodies

Professional qualifications, Accountancy

*Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA, FCCA)
*Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA, FCMA)
*Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants (CPFA)
*Institute of Chartered Accountants (England & Wales) (ACA, FCA)
*Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (CA)
*Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland (ACA)

Chartered accountant (or certified public accountant) members of one of the Institutes of Chartered Accountants in Australia (CA), Canada (CA), Malaysia (CA), New Zealand (CA) or South Africa (CA), or Institutes of Certified Public Accountants of America (CPA), Australia (CPA), Hong Kong (CPA), Malaysia (CPA) or Singapore (CPA).

Professional qualifications, Engineering

The equivalent of Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) members of bodies in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, that are signatories to the Washington Accord (see www.washingtonaccord.org).

Note: It is recognised that members of various bodies (e.g. Institution of Mechanical Engineers MIMechE, British Computer Society MBCS) do hold the above qualification. However, what is important is the holding of one of the above qualifications rather than being a member of a particular body.

Professional Qualifications, Other in the UK and Ireland

Army Office Training (Junior Officer) Training and Education Scheme Parts 1 and 2
Chartered Building Societies Institute (ACBSI, FCBSI)
*Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB, FCIB)
*Chartered Institute of Bankers of Scotland (MCIBS – not ACIBS)
Chartered Institute of Building (MCIB, FCIB)
*Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCInstM, FCInstM)
*Chartered Institute of Marketing, Professional or Postgraduate – Diploma (see note)
*Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) (see note)
Chartered Institute of Transport (MCIT, FCIT)
Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII)
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (MCSP)
Institute of Actuaries (AIA, FIA)
Institute of Biology (MIBIOL)
Institute of Bio Medical Science (FIBMS)
Institute of Data Processing Management Graduate Diploma (IDPM)
*Institute of Marketing, Ireland - Graduateship
Institute of Medical Laboratory Scientists – Associate (AIMLS)
Institute of Physics – Member (MInstP)
Institute of Production Control – Member (MIPC)
Institute of Industrial Managers – Associate Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma (ADIIM, PDIIM)
Law Society
Library Association (ALA)
*Plassey Management Centre Diploma in Management
*Police Senior Command Course
*Professional Diploma of the Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management Association (post 1990 syllabus)
*RAF Officer Training – Officers’ Command Course, Individual Studies Course and Basic Staff Course
Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA)
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (ARICS)
Royal Society of Chemistry (GRSC)
Royal Town Planning Institute – Member (MRTPI)

Note: The CIM Professional Postgraduate Diploma from 2004, CIPD Postgraduate Diploma and CMI Executive Diploma in Management are at the same level as the Certificate in Business Administration (B713). They can be used in place of B713 for Stage 1 of a masters degree, provided credit transfer is applied for.

Holders of items in the above professional qualifications list marked * may choose between courses B700 and B713 as the Stage 1 course for this masters degree. Otherwise, the choice is restricted to B713 on the grounds that you have not studied sufficient business and management at undergraduate level.

If you hold a qualification that is not on the list but that you believe is at bachelor level, you are advised to bring this to the attention of our Student Registration & Enquiry Service with full details. The OU Business School Masters Programme Committee is responsible for judging whether applicants’ qualifications meet the requirements for admission to any award.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.

Award Regulations

• Introduction to the Award Regulations
• General Award Regulations
• Master of Public Administration

Student Regulations

The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.

How to register

To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.

About this page

A postgraduate qualification in Business and Management and Health and Social Care.

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