Public Services Policy and Management

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Public Services Policy & Management is comparative and international in focus. The MSc shares core policy-related modules with the MA in Public Policy while offering a specialist focus on public service delivery and evaluation. The programme is for both mid-career managers and recent graduates planning to enter public and voluntary sector Non Governmental Organisations.

KEY BENEFITS * Regular and senior speakers from UK-based government departments, public sector bodies, NGOs and policy-making units who discuss the implementation and evaluation of Public Services policy.
* Offers opportunities to select different Public Service areas for in-depth study, drawing on King's-wide expertise.
* Combines in-depth treatment of underlying principles with practical applications, including Human Resource Management and Design of Programme Evaluations.

PURPOSEThe MSc equips students to understand and evaluate policy options for organising and delivering high-quality Public Services. It combines study of theoretical concepts with analysis of real world policies and their lessons for managers and policy-makers.

DESCRIPTIONComparative and international in focus, the programme is suitable both for career professionals and for recent social science graduates. It is built around taught core modules, which include: Management of the Public Services; Economics of the Public Services; the Policy Process; Research Methods (quantitative and qualitative). Optional modules relate to specific Public Service areas, including Health; Education and Defence but also include in-depth modules on Human Resource Management; Strategic Management in the Public Services and Leadership and Innovation. You may take options from more than one area (some optional modules are provided by other Departments. Places on such non-departmental options may be capped).
There is an emphasis on effective provision of public services (including their evaluation), and on the lessons of the 'new public management'; by comparison, the MA in Public Policy emphasises the analysis and understanding of the political process.
Seminars are central to the course and focus on current research and policy implementation. They involve senior policy-makers and practitioners including individuals actively involved with current UK government policymaking. There is an active alumni network which organises events during the year, including seminars for current students.

STRUCTURE OVERVIEW Core programme content * Organisation & Management of the Public Services
* Economics of the Public Services
* Research Methods for the Public Services
* The Policy Process

Indicative non-core content * Human Resource Management in the Public Services
* Key Issues in Health Policy
* Strategic Management in the Public Services
* Education and Training: Policy & Programmes
* New Public Management in the Defence Sector
* Evaluating Public Policy
* Education Policy and the City
* Environment, Livelihoods & Development in the 'South'
* Recent Developments in Education Management
* Health Economics and Health Policy
* Sociology of Health & Illness
* Aging in the Global Context
* The Regulatory State

FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT Written examinations and/or coursework; a dissertation.

MODULES More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year. Dissertation 7SSMM408 - Required Organisations and Management of the Public Services - Required Research Methods For The Public Services - Required The Economics Of The Public Services - Required The Policy Process - Required Education And Training Policy & Programmes - Optional Human Resource Management In The Public Services - Optional Key Issues In Health Policy - Optional New Public Management In The Defence Sector - Optional Strategic Management In Public Services Organisations - Optional

Minimum requirement is 2:1 in a social science subject or relevant experience in public sector management. English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A)