Master's Programme in Public Administration

Start-up Date

Autumn (August)

The Degree

The master's programme leads to the degree Master of Philosophy in Public Administration. It is a two year programme (120 ECTS credits).

Objectives / Contents

The purpose of the Master of Philosophy in Public Administration is to enhance students' ability to conduct independent analyses of organizations, political and administrative structures and processes, and public policy. The programme strengthens students' analytical skills and provides a comprehensive training in methodology. Participation in various seminars and individual writing ensure that the motivation for and ability to work independently in an academic or a professional setting is enhanced.

The M-Phil Degree in Public Administration is equivalent to four semesters of study after completion of an undergraduate degree.

The programme is aimed at international students who obtain scholarships under the Quota Scheme and international self-financed students.

Exchange students under the Erasmus agreement and other guest students who fulfill academic requirements may on application be admitted to one or more courses in the programme.

Programme profile

Public Administration is the comparative study of administration, organisation and politics. As a field of study it has a political science orientation with particular emphasis on theories of democracy, organisations and organised action. The programme aims to develop knowledge of and insight into a) the relationship between organisations and individuals, and b) the relationship between organisations and their environments. It draws on theoretical and empirically-based research on formal organisations.

Programme structure

In the first semester, i.e. the autumn semester (August-December), students are required to complete two compulsory courses/seminars, in Organization and Politics (AORG320) and Methodology (AORG321).

In the second semester (January-June), students are required to complete two compulsory seminars, viz. the seminars in Research Design (AORG322), and Research Field (AORG323).In the second semester there will be an assessment of students´ ability to continue with the programme.

Master thesis

During the second year (3rd and 4th term), the students write the AORG351 Master's Thesis in close collaboration with their supervisors. Dissertation seminar may be arranged depending on the needs and progress of thesis of the students. The Master's Thesis shall be submitted in the fourth semester and the fixed date is June 1. in the spring semester. Submitting on a different date may be granted based on individual application. The length of the AORG351 Master's Thesis is normally stipulated to 100 typed pages, using 1,5 line spacing and fonts size 12.

Method

The programme is characterized by pluralism of methodology. The students will be introduced to critical issues in the philosophy of the social sciences and the methodological basis for conducting scientific research. The students will receive training in different research strategies and have the possibility to choose between different methods particularly relevant to the theme and empirical foundation of their thesis.

Start-up Date

Autumn (August)

Admission requirements

In order to be admitted to the M-Phil programme in Public Administration, an applicant must normally have a 4-year university degree or equivalent (see below) from a recognized non-Norwegian university or comparable education recognized by the Department of Administration and Organization Theory. The undergraduate degree must include relevant courses in political science, public administration, and/or organization theory equaling a minimum of 1.5 years of full-time studies. These formal entrance requirements are identical to the minimum requirements that apply for admission to the Norwegian Master Programme in Administration and Organization Theory. Priority is given to candidates with a major in public administration or political science.

In addition to a relevant academic background, all candidates will be selected on the basis of achievements in previous studies. In general, applicants with First class or grade ¿A¿ are selected for the scholarship program. Candidates with 2nd Class Lower Division are normally not considered.

Who may apply

All teaching is conducted in English, and applicants must provide documentation of English language proficiency.

1. Applicants for the Quota Scheme, from the following universities:

• Jimma University, Ethiopia
• University of Western Cape*, South Africa
• University of Ghana, Ghana
• Mzumbe University*, Tanzania
• University of Zimbabwe*, Zimbabwe
• Makerere University*, Uganda
• University of Peshawar, Pakistan
• University of Ruhuna*, Sri Lanka
• Shanghai Jiaotong University, China
• Tribhuvan University, Nepal
• University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
• North-South University, Bangladesh
• University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
• University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
• EAFIT University
• Peradeniya University*, Sri Lanka

*A 3-year Bachelor degree from Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe will also meet the requirement.

Priority will be given to applicants who have completed their degree at one of the above-mentioned universities during the last couple of years and/or employed at these institutions.

2. Self-financing degree students

More information

Information about admission: http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master

Dept. of Administration and Organization Theory
Christiesgt. 17, N-5007 Bergen
e-mail: post@aorg.uib.no
tel: + 4755582190

fax: + 4755589890

Contact person: Olga Mjelde

olga.mjelde@sos.uib.no

Tel: +4755589449

Language of Instruction

English

Start-up Date

Autumn (August)

Objectives / Contents

The purpose of the Master of Philosophy in Public Administration is to enhance students' ability to conduct independent analyses of organizations, political and administrative structures and processes, and public policy. The programme strengthens students' analytical skills and provides a comprehensive training in methodology. Participation in various seminars and individual writing ensure that the motivation for and ability to work independently in an academic or a professional setting is enhanced.

The M-Phil Degree in Public Administration is equivalent to four semesters of study after completion of an undergraduate degree.

The programme is aimed at international students who obtain scholarships under the Quota Scheme and international self-financed students.

Exchange students under the Erasmus agreement and other guest students who fulfill academic requirements may on application be admitted to one or more courses in the programme.

Learning Outcomes

By completing a Master of Philosophy in Public Administration (MPA) the student will have acquired the following:

Knowledge

• The student will have obtained an overview of recent developments in organization theory, public administration and public policy, and the theories and methods being used in these fields of study.
• The student will have developed a broader understanding of the relationship between politics and administration and between the formulation and implementation of public policy
• The student will have acquired the knowledge required to identify relationships between formal organization on the one hand and consequences and outcomes on the other.

Abilities

• Through the writing of the MPA thesis, the student will have acquired skills to conduct an analysis of a social phenomenon by using relevant theories, social science research methods, and analysis of empirical data.
• The student will be able to develop and analyze academic research questions within the chosen field of study indepentently.

General competence

• The MPA provides students a basis for conducting research and academic writing.
• The student will be able to prepare a research design, analyse and critically develop the relationships between research question, empirical data, concepts and theory. Moreover, the student will be able to identify, review, and discuss the major arguments in academic texts.

Work relevance

Through scientific work and presentations students will have developed analytical skills and competence to work with and carry out research on organizational issues, democracy, politics, administration and service delivery. The competences acquired throughout the MPA are well suited for positions where organizational design and leadership are required, but also for management in public administration, private firms and voluntary organizations. The student will also be able to give advice on organizational issues in the private and public sectors.

Admission Requirements

In order to be admitted to the M-Phil programme in Public Administration, an applicant must normally have a 4-year university degree or equivalent (see below) from a recognized non-Norwegian university or comparable education recognized by the Department of Administration and Organization Theory. The undergraduate degree must include relevant courses in political science, public administration, and/or organization theory equaling a minimum of 1.5 years of full-time studies. These formal entrance requirements are identical to the minimum requirements that apply for admission to the Norwegian Master Programme in Administration and Organization Theory. Priority is given to candidates with a major in public administration or political science.

In addition to a relevant academic background, all candidates will be selected on the basis of achievements in previous studies. In general, applicants with First class or grade ¿A¿ are selected for the scholarship program. Candidates with 2nd Class Lower Division are normally not considered.

Sequential Requirements - courses

The purpose of the M-Phil programme is to enhance students´ ability to conduct independent analyses of organizations, political and administrative structures and processes, and public policy. The programme strengthens students¿ analytical skills and provides a comprehensive training in methodology. Participation in various seminars and individual writing ensure that the motivation for and ability to work independently in an academic or a professional setting is enhanced.

The M-Phil Degree in Public Administration is equivalent to four semesters of study after completion of an undergraduate degree.

The programme is aimed at international students who obtain scholarships under the Quota Scheme and international self-financed students.

Exchange students under the Erasmus agreement and other guest students who fulfill academic requirements may on application be admitted to one or more courses in the programme.

Programme structure

• In the first semester, i.e. the autumn semester (August-December), students are required to complete two compulsory courses/seminars, in Organization and Politics (AORG320) and Methodology (AORG321).
• In the second semester (January-June), students are required to complete two compulsory seminars, viz. the seminars in Research Design (AORG322), and Research Field (AORG323).In the second semester there will be an assessment of students´ ability to continue with the program.

AORG320 Organization and PoliticsECTS credits: 15Compulsory Term: 1.

AORG321 MethodologyECTS credits: 15 CompulsoryTerm: 1.

AORG322 Research Design ECTS credits: 15 CompulsoryTerm: 2.

AORG323 Research FieldECTS credits: 15CompulsoryTerm: 2.

AORG 351 Master's Thesis CompulsoryECTS credits: 60Term: 3. - 4.Examination: Hand in Thesis

Assessment methods

Combination of essay, School exam, home exam, oral exam and submission of a thesis

Grading scale

Grading A-F

Contact information

Dept. of Administration and Organization Theory

Christiesgt. 17, N-5007 Bergen

e-mail: post@aorg.uib.no

tel: + 4755582190

fax: + 4755589890