The Department of Politics and International Relations has been offering the Master of Politics and Public Policy (MPP) since 1994.

The Program gives students an understanding of the structures and processes involved in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of public policy. The course looks at the workings of government and its relations with non-government organisations, the law, the media and political parties. Throughout the emphasis is on the politics surrounding public policy, the changing landscape of policy making, and Australian public policy.

The Program is appropriate for those who see a future as practitioners in public, voluntary or political work. It would also be of value for anyone in the private sector who works at the interface with the public sector, whether the public service, the government or members of parliament in general. It may also be useful preparation for those who intend further study and research in political science.

Current students and graduates of the program include members of parliament, ministerial policy advisers, media advisers, public servants, parliamentary and electorate office staff, and community organisation workers. They have come from Commonwealth, State and Local government working in areas of public health, indigenous affairs, education, immigration, taxation, crime control, environmental protection, resource management, community services, human rights and local government. From the private sector, MPP students have come from the areas of finance, health, publishing, insurance, the media, public relations, and the law.

International students have come from Japan, Thailand, China, Tonga, Colombia, East Timor, the USA and the UK.

Students have come straight from an undergraduate degree or from several years out from either study or paid employment. Students whose undergraduate study has not included politics are eligible to enrol in the program. They may be required to complete an additional unit at the commencement of the program for which no fees are charged but for which no credit points are awarded. The unit consists primarily of auditing the undergraduate unit on the Australian political system and regular meetings with the Convenor of the MPP. Students who have some familiarity with the Australian political system but wish to brush up their knowledge are welcome to audit the unit as well.

While an undergraduate degree is the normal entry requirement students who can demonstrate relevant work or professional experience in lieu of that degree are eligible for enrolment in the program. One student without an undergraduate degree has successfully completed the program and another is well on the way to completion.

Mode of Tuition
The MPP is offered both externally and internally.

Internal students will normally be required to attend a one hour lecture and a two hour seminar once a week for each unit they are enrolled in. These classes are held in the evening, commencing at 6pm.

External students will receive a recording of the lectures and be required to attend two weekend schools at Macquarie University per unit. In exceptional circumstances a student who is unable to attend a weekend school may be allowed to substitute additional written work.

Each unit will have a designated website with a public page and access to additional material for enrolled, registered students. The website will have a private email facility and discussion board so that internal and external students can engage with each other and the unit convenor.

Discipline Resources
All graduate students have access to the graduate students room, computers, printers and some photocopying. The facilities of the University generally are available to graduate students, especially the library and its associated network of information retrieval facilities. Computer stations are available in the library.