Public Policy - A6028

Public Policy

Master's degree

Make a positive impact. Create meaningful change with lasting influence on individual lives and communities. Build a rewarding career in government, non-profit or corporate sectors.

The Master of Public Policy builds practical knowledge and skills for professionals in, or looking to transition into, policy-making and management across the spectrum of public, private and not-for-profit sector activities.

The course will develop your understanding of the processes of policy formation, the delivery of policy programs, and the political and structural realities that influence policy decision-making. You will learn about the essential elements of public policy – policy analysis, implementation, evaluation, and governance as well as the context of contemporary public policy.

You will also have the opportunity to tailor your studies to suit your career needs, completing a specialisation in either Global studies or Policy studies.

How will the course help advance your career?

The Master of Public Policy equips you with specialised skills relevant to industry, preparing you for careers in public, non-profit, or private sector agencies involved in policy and service delivery at intergovernmental, national, or regional government levels. Graduates possess the skills and knowledge to excel in policy areas across both public and private sectors, from government organisations to multinational corporations and independent consultancies. Career opportunities include:

  • Advocacy
  • Communications
  • Consulting
  • Management
  • Policy design, analysis, and evaluation
  • Politics
  • Program administration and evaluation
  • Research

Discover more from our alumni.

At a glance

Course Details

Location
  • On-campus at Caulfield: Full time & part time
Duration
1 year/1.5 years/2 years (full time), depending on prior qualifications. See entry requirements.
Start date
First Semester (February), Second Semester (July)
Qualification
Master of Global Public Policy, Master of Public Policy
Course Handbook

Tailor the course to suit your needs

Choose from two specialisations: Global studies or Policy studies. Depending on your choice, you will graduate with either a Master of Global Public Policy or a Master of Public Policy.

Please select a specialisation for more details:

Entry Requirements

You need to satisfy the following entrance requirements to be considered for entry to this course.

Minimum Entry Requirements (Domestic students)

Qualifications

Entry level 1:  96 points to complete Duration: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time

An Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) with at least credit (60%) average.

Entry level 2: 72 points to complete Duration: 1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time

An Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) in cognate* discipline with at least credit (60%) average.

Or

An Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) and an Australian graduate certificate (or equivalent) in a cognate* discipline with at least 50% average in both qualifications.

Or

An Australian graduate certificate (or equivalent) in a cognate* discipline with at least credit (60%) average and a minimum of five years work experience in a relevant field**

**Applicants are required to provide a Curriculum Vitae and a reference from their employer.

Entry level 3: 48 points to complete Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

An Australian bachelor honours degree (or equivalent) in a cognate* discipline with at least credit (60%) average.

*Cognate disciplines include: humanities or social sciences

English requirements

Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

The course structure and progression map can be viewed in the Handbook.

See also: Arts course maps

Making the application

Future students

Semester one (February)

Apply directly to Monash using course code A6028

Apply

Semester two (July)

Apply directly to Monash using course code A6028

Apply

Current Monash students

You may apply to transfer from another Monash course. Transfers are a competitive process. You may apply mid-year for available courses however consideration will be given as to whether you will be able to follow your course progression.

Please note that if you apply for a course transfer, you should still enrol in your current course as if you were continuing so as not to jeopardise your enrolment in the Faculty if your transfer application is unsuccessful. More about Course Transfer.

Self assess for credit eligibility

Check for study credit using the "Credit search" link on the Credit for prior study page.

Fees

Fees are subject to change annually.

Full fee

Fees are per 48 credit points which represents a standard full-time course load for a year. The fees for 2026 are:

A$30,900

Fee assistance

As a full fee-paying student, you may be eligible to apply for the optional FEE-HELP to assist you to pay all or part of your tuition fees.

Scholarships

We offer over 360 types of scholarships, valued at up to $280,000. Some scholarships offer one-off payments while others continue for the length of your course. Learn more about Monash Scholarships.

Other costs and fees

For information on other study costs and fees, see other study costs.

Jackson Stiles
HEAR FROM OUR GRADUATES

"The Master of Public Policy teaches you how politicians and public servants think. That is pivotal to anyone in the private sector but especially corporate affairs professionals. Knowing how the governmental process works, how public sector operators think, and how to speak their language will come in handy."

JACKSON STILES

Master of Public Policy (2020); Senior Advisor, Victorian Government.

Why study Public Policy at Monash?

  • Industry connections

    Benefit from our course advisory board, which includes top practitioners in major policy fields. They work closely with our teaching staff to ensure your learning experience remains consistently relevant and directly applicable to real-world challenges.

  • Academic experts & industry leaders

    Gain insights from esteemed public policy experts from diverse faculties across the university, specialising in critical policy domains including sustainability, health, transportation and infrastructure, diplomacy and trade, and organisational leadership.

  • Professional enhancement

    Develop essential transferable professional skills with our tailor-made Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) units, a key component in all our coursework master’s degrees.

  • Research pathway available

    If you’re a high-achieving student, you may undertake a research thesis, and pave your way to a Higher Degree by Research such as a PhD.