Master of Public Policy: Policy Communication Specialisation

Upon completion of the study, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of key terms, concepts and ideas on the communicative aspects of public policy. 
2. Engage critically in the theoretical and practical literature on communication and engagement in public policy.  
3. Analyse communication and engagement in public policy drawing connections between theory and practice.
4. Reflect critically on the changing communicative landscape of contemporary public policy. 

In this specialisation students examine how actors both within and outside government communicate and engage in the policy process. Students study various communicative aspects of public policy including the art and craft of advocacy, persuasion, public participation, and stakeholder engagement. Through applied examples and cases, students consider the practicalities, challenges and politics involved in policy communication and engagement in contemporary governance.

Students will reflect critically on how the communicative landscape of public policy is changing in an era of digital technology, 24/7 news cycles, and low trust in politics. Electives provide a variety of courses through which students can deepen their knowledge of how actors communicate and engage in contemporary public policy. 

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, subjects in this degree can include:

• Policy Advocacy
• Participating in Public Policy: Citizen Engagement and Public Talk
• Communicating for Environment and Climate Policy
• Digital Culture and Society - Critical Theories and Methodologies

Plus there's a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you. 

Award requirements

The Master of Public Policy Specialisation: Policy Communication requires that 24 of the 96 units for the Master of Public Policy must be from the list of courses in the specified area.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $75,880

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Australian National University is a world-leading university in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. With ties to the Australian Government, they have special standing as a resource for the Australian people. Their approach to education ensures graduates are in demand the world-over for their abilities to address complex contemporary challenges. Offering innovative online subjects from beginning to advanced levels through Open Universities Australia, they meet varied students’ needs and goals.

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At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis.

· Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 5/7; or

· Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

· Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7 and a Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7; or

· Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7; or · 48 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7; or

· Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA of 4/7 and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

· Graduate Records Examination (GRE) General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 for Verbal Reasoning, 155 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program; or

· A minimum of 10 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program.

Applications must show English language proficiency by meeting ANU's English Language Requirements for admission to study this program.

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree, Bachelor degree with Honours, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units.