UNSW offers professional doctorate in public policy

Mid-career policy makers aiming to become leaders in public policy development will benefit from a new professional doctorate at UNSW.

The three-year Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Governance within UNSW Arts and Social Sciences is a research degree designed specifically for professionals working in the government, non-government and private sectors.

Students undertaking the Doctorate have the opportunity to develop broad research and analytical skills as well as a specific research topic, making graduates more employable across a diverse range of policy fields.  The doctorate is also of value to policy professionals working as contractors in public–private partnerships.

Program convenor, Dr Karen Soldatic, said the Doctorate was developed in response to increasing numbers of people working with government as public policy contractors.

“The last decade has seen a dramatic change in how public policy is designed and delivered – with many government services being implemented by the private sector and NGOs,” said Dr Soldatic.

“The new professional doctorate provides an opportunity for professionals working in these areas to develop rigorous policy and program design skills,” she said.

The program is led by the School of Social Sciences in collaboration with two leading centres in public policy – UNSW’s Social Policy Research Centre and the Centre for Social Research in Health. The Centres will participate in the program in a supervisory capacity, providing a unique opportunity for students to work with some of Australia’s leading researchers in the area.

“Students who want a vigorous understanding of public policy will benefit from the incredibly rich public policy dialogue and expertise within our two centres,” said Dr Soldatic.

UNSW also offers a Masters of Public Policy and Governance (formerly the Masters of Policy Studies), which can be used as a platform into the new program.

“UNSW is proud to be offering a suite of programs in public policy. Our rigorous Masters program and now, professional doctorate, combine to develop the leadership, expertise and research depth of Australia’s policy professionals,” said Dr Soldatic.

The Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Governance will be offered from Semester 1, 2015.

Media contact: Fran Strachan, UNSW Media Office, 9385 8732, 0429 416 070