Master of Public Administration

Online Programme
Master of Public Administration 3

Why an online MPA

with the University of Liverpool?
Develop the leadership, management, analytical and
communication skills increasingly sought after in pub-
Contents
lic administration and non-profits/ NGOs Make a difference in public life  4

Enhance your understanding of the unique challenges Learn with a globally-respected UK university 6

and tensions facing public sector managers A world-class research institution 7

Leading the way together 8

Recognise which public administration models would
work best in your own environment, by comparing dif- A reputation you can rely on 8

ferent options and asking the right questions The Liverpool online Master of Public Administration 9

Programme structure 11
Understand the importance of frontline public serv-
ants in influencing change and delivering optimal out- Convenient and accessible 12

comes Drive public service innovation 14

Contribute to positive social change 15

Acquire a range of tools that will enable you to de-
velop new thinking on complex and challenging social Join our global alumni network 16

problems Admission requirements 17

Take the first step today 18
Learn to capitalise on the rapid expansion of new
knowledge and technical innovation impacting public
administration around the world

Fit your studies around your other commitments, so

you can enhance your career without interrupting your
current job
Master of Public Administration
Make a difference in public life
The University of Liverpool’s online MPA is designed for managers in
the public and non-profit (NGO) sectors, who want to improve their
knowledge, develop their careers and contribute to the growth of their
organisations and their communities.
Y
ou will study the theory and practice
around the organisation of public life,
how public policy is designed and
implemented, and the way services are deliv-
ered. Rather than focusing on a best-in-class
approach, you will compare and challenge
accepted models, exploring different options
and creating tailor-made solutions for your
local setting. You will also look at the chal-
lenges and dilemmas facing the sector, from
the changing role of the public sector and in-
creasing influence of the global sphere, to new
funding structures and innovative modes of
service delivery.
Offered fully online by the AACSB-accredited
University of Liverpool Management School
(ULMS), part of the Faculty of Humanities and
Social Sciences, the programme lets you study
without interrupting your personal and pro-
fessional life. With 24/7 access to your online
This MPA will:
classroom, you will study alongside a global
network of peers, in an inspiring, collaborative
online learning environment.
“The University of Liverpool MPA is
well positioned to meet the growing
need of preparing the leaders of to-
morrow and enhancing the skill set of the lead-
ers of today. The modules in the MPA pro-
gramme contain a breadth of topics and themes
and the ability to focus on key elements of inter-
est to the student’s own professional area. The
graduates of the programme will acquire ‘must
have’ knowledge that has real world value and
immediate practical application.”
Tony Mancini, Academic Director,
Management Programmes, Laureate
4
Challenge you to question
accepted models and formulate
tailor-made solutions
Empower you to become an effective
manager and innovative policymaker
Equip you with the key transferable
skills you need to be a successful
public administrator or manager
in a non-profit/NGO
Support your personal and
professional development with a
critically reflective mode of learning
Help you acquire a range of
analytical techniques for effective
tactical and strategic management
Nurture your leadership skills
in a collaborative international
environment, with a global faculty base
and international public and NGO
professionals studying alongside you
Master of Public Administration 5

“By studying
online with the
University of
Liverpool,
I have invested
in my future.”
Draupadi Pradhan
Liverpool online management graduate
From Mexico, living in Chile
Master of Public Administration 6

Learn with a globally-respected

UK university
Making the commitment to pursue a masters degree is a big decision.
There are many choices you need to consider – which university to University of Liverpool
study with, its reputation, the quality of the management school, how Key facts
you will learn and what sort of experience you will have.
In the top 1%

A
t the University of Liverpool, we
offer the very best choice for pub-
lic administration professionals
looking to boost their careers and improve
their practice alongside peers from around
the world.
One of the key strengths of our online MPA
is its emphasis on both rigorous academic
thinking and the acquisition of practical
management tools and techniques. This
dual focus stems directly from the Univer-
sity’s long-standing expertise in teaching
and research in public administration, most of universities worldwide*
recently demonstrated by the establishment
of the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy
Member of the UK’s
and Practice. Russell Group
This online MPA will broaden your hori- One of Europe’s largest
zons, help you develop critical and analyt- providers of
ical understanding, and give you the highly
sought-after skills, knowledge and confi-
fully online degrees
dence to make a difference, both to your or-
Nine Nobel Laureates
ganisation and to society as whole. Best of
all, you won’t need to take any time out from in 100 years
your job to study.
Master of Public Administration
A world-class
research institution
T
he University of Liverpool is a
world-class research university
with a long track record of aca-
demic excellence and rigour. It is a member
of the UK’s prestigious Russell Group and
ranked within the top 1% of universities
worldwide*.
We have been providing online postgrad-
uate education since 2000, with more than
10,500 online students currently studying
with us around the world. Over 5,000 stu-
dents have already graduated with an online
degree, joining the University’s thriving in-
ternational alumni network of 183,000 peo-
ple in over 192 countries.
Global pioneers
A pioneer in research and education since
its founding in 1881, the University is con-
sidered one of the great international
centres of research, knowledge and in-
novation. Our reputation attracts students,
7
Pioneers in research
and education since
faculty, experts and partners from across
the globe. Through our research, teaching
and collaborations, we seek to be life chang-
1881
ing and world shaping.
Leaders in online
We’re also a European leader in fully on-
5,000+
line postgraduate degrees. Our partnership
with e-learning experts Laureate Online
Education enables us to support you every
online graduates
step of the way throughout your studies. It’s
through this exciting partnership that the
University is a member of the Laureate In-
ternational Universities network – an inter-
national network of prestigious, innovative
institutions of higher education – giving you
access to international experts and leaders
10,500+
through events such as the World Business
Forum and the Clinton Global Initiative.
*As listed in the International Universities
online students
Handbook, published 2012 worldwide
Master of Public Administration
Dr Mike Rowe
Co-Director of the Heseltine
Institute for Public Policy and
Practice, University of Liverpool
“The Heseltine Institute brings together
experts from across the University to explore
complex social problems. Research themes,
including economic development policies, ur-
ban governance, health and well-being, and
migration, will inform the case studies and
teaching materials you will explore during
your studies. And, in turn, we hope your re-
search projects will introduce fresh thinking
and evidence to the work of the Institute.”
Leading the way
together
One feature that differentiates our MPA
is the strong focus on leadership and col-
laboration, drawing on the internationally
recognised strength of ULMS in this area.
You will work closely with your course col-
leagues, exploring management and lead-
ership skills that are in high demand inter-
nationally in public administration, while
questioning accepted models and gaining
the knowledge and confidence to think dif-
ferently and develop innovative ideas.
You will also benefit from the expertise and
vision of the University’s new Heseltine In-
stitute for Public Policy and Practice, which
carries out pioneering research in key pub-
lic policy areas such as economic change,
health and well-being, and governance and
democracy.
Visit www.liv.ac.uk/heseltine-institute
8
A reputation
you can rely on
The Management School is part of the Fac-
ulty of Humanities and Social Sciences and
is accredited by the Association to Advance
Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB),
the oldest and most respected global ac-
creditation body for business schools. Our
mission is ‘Learning to Make a Difference’.
This is reflected in the foundations of our
research and teaching, which strive to make
a difference to the lives of individuals, or-
ganisations and communities.
For more information, visit
www.aacsb.edu
Master of Public Administration 9

The Liverpool online Integration Seminars

Master of Public Administration Making global topics
relevant locally
The online MPA is designed for managers in the public and non-profit Explore global topics in your
sectors looking to enhance their understanding and skills in managing environment through assignments and
and leading public services, and connect with fellow professionals in the discussions on subjects that include:
non-profit field around the world. Because it is taught fully online, you
can learn while you earn, broadening your career prospects with highly
sought-after practical knowledge and advanced abilities that you can put
to immediate use in your work. and population Clean Water
growth
Compare, challenge and innovate Global perspectives, local impact
On this programme, you will compare and The programme allows you to study from wher-
challenge accepted public service models, ex- ever you are, at any time of the day – from your
plore global topics in a local context, create first module all the way through to graduation. growth
solutions tailored for your own environment You will analyse global public administration
and investigate the key role of frontline public topics such as crime, clean water, and popula-
Population
servants. At the end of your studies, you will tion change, making them relevant to your local
emerge with the skills and understanding to context through assignments and discussions, and
create, influence and support innovative policy an approach we call ‘integration seminars’.
making for social change. You will also benefit from the support of sub-
ject-matter experts, chosen for their ability to
look at public administration from a compara-
tive, international viewpoint.
Master of Public Administration
Dr Dominique Lelievre-Finch
Director of Studies for the online MPA,
University of Liverpool
“At the University of Liverpool, the unique mix of an interna-
tional classroom and a global faculty constitutes a powerful
source of both opportunities and challenges at the pedagog-
ical and academic levels. In many ways, we are helping to
frame the classroom of the future. With our faculty instruc-
tors, we aim to offer a learning experience that truly makes a
difference to our students’ lives.”
10
Focus on the frontline
A key hallmark of the programme is the emphasis on frontline
public servants. You will consider the crucial role that public serv-
ants such as police and social workers have in the shaping of policy
outcomes, a feature that is often overlooked by policymakers and
which sets our MPA programme apart from others.
Advance your professional development
Designed with input from employers and industry professionals,
this exciting programme is grounded in academic theory that is
balanced with professional development and transferable skills. It
will enable you to become an effective leader and innovative policy-
maker in the public sector, wherever you are in the world.
Collaborate across borders
You will also collaborate and share best practice with fellow profes-
sionals from around the world, building your international network
and gaining real insights into today’s global public service trends.
Reap the rewards - immediately
You don’t have to wait until you graduate for your programme to
have an impact. A practical benefit of our online MPA is that you
can apply your learning and understanding to your work as you
progress through the programme – increasing your career oppor-
tunities while you study.
 Master of Public Administration 11

Programme structure
The University of Liverpool online MPA has eight core modules and culminates
in a 15,000 – 20,000-word dissertation or public service project.
~ 2.5 years
Modules
Dissertation or
Managing Finance Delivering Outcomes Public Service Project
in the Public and Managing People, Working through Public and Policy
The Individual, Civil Culture, Politics Policy and Non-Government Performance and Across Non-Government Analysis and
Society and the State and Power Implementation sector Development Boundaries Organisations Research
12 weeks 8 weeks 8 weeks 8 weeks 8 weeks 8 weeks 8 weeks 8 weeks 9 months
SRO

Breaks
(2-3 weeks)

Personal Development Portfolio

Integration Seminars
Student Readiness
Orientation

Student Readiness Orientation Dissertation or public service project Integration Seminars

This is a self-study online course of about 15 hours to You will complete your MPA with a dissertation or a Through Integration Seminars – assignments and dis-
complete. public service project researching and writing it with cussions – you will explore global topics like crime,
support from your personal dissertation advisor. clean water and population change in the context of
Personal Development Portfolio your own local environment.

You will reflect on your progress in a Personal Devel-

opment Portfolio, designed to further your success as
a learner, practitioner and professional.
Master of Public Administration
Convenient and accessible
As a fully online programme, our MPA fits around other com-
mitments you may have, whether at work or at home. So wher-
ever in the world you live and work, you can begin the next
stage of your career in public service without it interfering
with your other priorities.
T
here are no fixed lecture
times. All your course-
work, class discussions
and group projects take place on-
line, and the classroom is always
open. As long as you have internet
access, you choose when in the day
you study and where.
Continuous support
You can interact and collaborate
with your faculty instructors and
fellow students at any time of the
day. And if you run into any IT
problems, our technical support
team is on hand 24/7 to help you
out.
You will also benefit from con-
tinuous academic support. From
the moment you contact us right
through to your graduation, you
will enjoy dedicated support, in-
cluding a personal Student Support
Manager and regular feedback on
your progress from our internation-
al faculty instructors, as well as ad-
ditional self-study and taught skills
modules to support your academic
and professional development.
12
Your online experience
L A U R E A T E
LEARN. EVOLVE. NETWORK. SOCIALIZE.
Your studies will be based around
the Laureate LENS learning plat-
form, developed by the University’s
e-learning partner. Laureate LENS
brings together all the resources you
Visual Identity Usage Guide
needLaureate
– from LENS your online classroom
to learning tips, the University’s
Date Created 10.05.12
extensive and fully online library to
student support – in one easy-to-
use dashboard, making it easier for
you to stay motivated and focused
on your studies.
Laureate LENS also enables you
to network with your fellow online
students around the globe. You can
engage, learn and share with your
peers and with the faculty, not
only on your course, but across the
entire online university communi-
ty – giving you the chance to make
valuable connections across a range
of professions and industries.
Master of Public Administration 13

“I could study at my
own pace – at home,
in the office, or on
business trips.
I am very proud of
my achievement and
the impact it will
have on my career.”
Joseph Salameh
Liverpool online management graduate
From Lebanon, living in the
United Arab Emirates
Master of Public Administration 14

What our online

management graduates say:

Drive public service innovation perceived a career

76%
improvement as a
result of their education
Our online MPA is designed for experienced managers in the public and with the University
non-profit sectors looking to improve their understanding of the changes, of Liverpool.*
challenges and opportunities facing public administrators around the globe.

S
tudents will develop the skills and under- Studying with us gives you a solid foundation on

standing to respond to these challenges,
but also to become effective agents of pub-
lic service innovation, helping to deliver global so-
cial change and create more effective public poli-
cies.
It’s a unique opportunity to combine rigorous aca-
demic study with practical experience and insights
87%
which to develop your career, achieve your aspira- felt that their degree
tions, and make a tangible difference in your work. prepared them for
Not only will you study the latest trends and de- their career.*
velopments, develop new skills and understanding,
and learn how to apply the latest theories to real
life situations, you will develop an extensive glob-
al network of like-minded public administrators,
from government officers to charity managers;
would recommend

90%
into real issues, in an international environment of project managers to policy makers.
the University of
collaboration, commitment and leadership.
­Liverpool to a friend,
family or colleague.*

*Results gathered by the University of Liverpool in 2012

from online alumni who responded to our survey.
Master of Public Administration 15

Contribute
to positive social change
Our students come from managerial po-
sitions in public sector organisations all
over the world, including international
agencies, NGOs, government organisa-
tions at all levels, the uniformed services,
social enterprises and voluntary groups.

The key characteristic they have in common is the desire to

make a difference, not only to their own career prospects,
but to their ability to bring positive change to their jobs,
organisations and communities.

The Liverpool online MPA is not designed to be easy. It will

stretch you, encourage you and support you to move be-
yond your comfort zone. But you will come away with an
unrivalled suite of in-demand skills and knowledge in pub-
lic policy, administration and management, to enable you
to create, influence and direct social policy and practice.
Master of Public Administration 16

Join our global

alumni network
On graduation, you become part
of the University of Liverpool’s
183,000-strong international
alumni network.

The University’s alumni programme will con-

Alumni Benefits
tinue to support you throughout your career,
offering a range of benefits and services to
Professional development courses
help you achieve your career aspirations.
Exclusive discounts
Wherever you are in the world, the benefits of
an online postgraduate degree with the Uni-
International events and lectures
versity of Liverpool will stay with you, both Career and business focused webinar series
professionally and personally, long after grad-
uation. Free online journal access

Visit: liv.ac.uk/alumni
Master of Public Administration
Admission requirements
The University of Liverpool’s online MPA is aimed at professionals in the public and non-profit sectors looking to enhance
their careers and gain knowledge they can apply immediately in their work. We welcome applications from all over the world,
at any time of the year.
T
he programme is based on the demands of
the rapidly-evolving public sector. We expect
our students to be able to demonstrate suit-
able skills, knowledge and experience that will enrich
their studies and help them gain maximum benefit
from, and make a valuable contribution to, this pro-
gramme.
Entry requirements
When you apply, we will consider both your educa-
tional qualifications and your work experience. In gen-
eral, you will be expected to have a bachelors degree
from an accredited college or university, or a degree
from a recognised institution comparable or equiva-
lent to a British honours degree, as well as two years’
relevant working experience.
If you do not directly meet the educational require-
ments, you will be evaluated on an individual basis,
taking into account your vocational and professional
qualifications and your working experience.
English proficiency
The online MPA programme is taught in English. So
if English is not your mother tongue, you will need to
demonstrate English proficiency comparable to IELTS
6.5, TEEP 6.5, TOEFL 600, or GCSE C.
How to apply
It’s our aim to make the application process as smooth
and straightforward as possible. The first step is to get
in touch with one our dedicated Enrolment Advisors.
17
They will advise and guide you through the application
process, help you prepare the information we need,
and explain your options to you.
After that, you will need to:
1. Submit an online application form
2. Provide the required documents (for example, iden-
tification and certificates)
3. Pay an application fee
Your application will then be passed to the Admissions
Team and, provided it meets the entry requirements,
we will assess your application.
Master of Public Administration 18

Take the
first step today
To contact an Enrolment Advisor, find out more about the Contact:
online MPA, or check tuition fees, visit:
Laureate Online Education B.V.
www.university-liverpool-online.com/MPA
Haarlerbergweg 23C
1101 CH Amsterdam Z.O.
Information sessions and webinars
The Netherlands
You can also come and meet us at one of the many infor-
mation and networking sessions we organise all over the www.university-liverpool-online.com
world, or join us online for free 45 minute webinar pres- learnmore@liverpool-online.com
entations, where you can have your questions answered +31 (0)20 713 0000
and find out more about the University of Liverpool’s on-
line programmes.

Visit www.university-liverpool-online.com/events
to find out when the next information session, networking
event or webinar is taking place.