Description

Contents

The MPP program is a two-year, 120-credit-points program consisting of a core curriculum, a policy internship and an intensive policy analysis project (practical training module), elective courses taken from five potential areas of specialization (specialization modules), soft skills and language training.

The mandatory modules make up the core curriculum, while the specialization modules, the practical training module, and the basics and language module can be chosen according to the personal interests and professional needs of each student.

During the first three semesters students complete both the core curriculum and the specialization modules. The fourth semester will be devoted to the master thesis. In each semester students should earn approximately 30 credit points.

The curriculum consists of the following modules

• Policy Analysis Module
• Management Module
• Leadership Module
• Basics and Language Module
• Specialization Modules
• Practical Training Module
• Graduation Module

The MPP's core curriculum consists of the Policy Analysis, Management, and Leadership Modules. Courses in the modules of the core curriculum are mandatory.

Policy Analysis Module (1st semester)

Building on the interdisciplinary approach of the Brandt School, this module includes an introduction to public policy as a discpline and at the same time methods and framworks also from other disciplines, which are useful when analyzing public policy. The module comprises four courses and lays the foundation for the upcoming three semesters.

• Introduction to Public Policy
• Quantitative Analysis and Empirical Methods
• Economic Analysis and Modelling
• Comparative Public Policy or an elective course

Management Module (2nd semester)

As the pressure to offer public goods at a lower cost and higher quality is increasing, in the second semester the core module focuses on public sector management. In this module students learn more about management within the public sector and should by the end of the semester be able to understand the key issues of managing public service provision and make sound policy decisions within the limits of financial budgets.

• Strategic Management and Public Administration
• Financial Management

Leadership Module (3rd semester)

The Master of Public Policy at the Willy Brandt School prepares future leaders who have major management responsibilities. Therfore, the students will learn more about political advocacy and ethical leadership during the third semester.

• Political Advocacy and Leadership
• Ethical Questions in the Public Sector

Specialization Modules

• European Public Policy
• International Affairs
• Public and Nonprofit Management
• International Political Economy
• Conflict Studies and Management

Practical Training Module

An internship between the second and third semester is a requirement for the completion of the degree. Designed to be an integral part of our students education, the internship's primary purposes are:

• to offer students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned from the classroom in a work setting
• give students a practical perspective on policy analysis and public management
• to help them compare their abilities and interests with requirements in particular fields of public policy

The Brandt School provides assistance in securing an internship position in government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, other non-profit or for-profit organizations.

Basics and Language Module

In this module, students primarily work on their language skills. Another option is to deepen the knowledge of the basics of policy analysis or soft skills. Being part of the University of Erfurt, MPP students can choose from a great variety of language courses offered by the language center. In addition, the Brandt School offers special German classes for foreign MPP students. Other courses that fall under this module are: International Negotiation, Formal and Informal Communication in a Professional Environment, Introduction to International Mediation.

Requirements

The prerequisites for applying to the Master of Public Policy program are

• higher education entrance qualification (i.e. high school diploma)
• college or university degree (Bachelor, Master, Diploma, state exam, etc.) with a minimal duration of 6 semesters
• above-average grades or professional performance
• analytical talent and pronounced interest in political problems
• very good English language proficiency ( TOEFL: Paper test: 577 or above, Computer test: 233 or above, Internet test: 90 or above; IELTS: 6.5 or above; Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English : A or B)

English Language Requirements

Funding

There are several ways for prospective students to obtain financial support in order to help them finance both the tuition fees and the cost of living in Germany.

The Brandt School has limited scholarship resources for international and domestic students. For incoming first year students we maintain endowments by the Haniel Foundation: The Go-West Scholarship program for applicants from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and the Haniel Stipends for highly qualified applicants from Western Europe, North America and Germany. The latter are only available from the 2012-2014 study period onward.