Students enrolled on the Master [120] in Public Administration course are working towards becoming expert actors in public administration capable of robustly and critically analysing contemporary political phenomena and ongoing political developments, explaining them and acting within and for society, having formed an understanding of and ethics relating to public service.

The recent changes in the structures and role of the State in society have resulted in the emergence of new challenges and numerous questions concerning the management of public affairs, which public service managers are faced with on a daily basis. It is to tackle these challenges and questions that the Master in Public Administration course prepares students for employment as managers (executive and managerial positions) or as analysts, advisers or representatives with public organisations or bodies working in close collaboration with the public sector (e.g. the political parties, trade unions, professional organisations, etc.) at European, federal, regional or local level.

To this end, on successful completion of the Master in Public Administration course, as an international Master of the UCL, member of the EMPA (European Masters in Public Administration) network, the graduate will have developed politico-institutional expertise and be capable of implementing analytical strategies to provide a better understanding of public affairs and its environment and of intervening in a rational, effective and fair way. Students will be able to:

• Apply their in-depth knowledge of public life, the workings of authorities and justice and the organisation of public authorities, from local to regional, as well as at national and international level.
• Critically and pertinently use the tools (both theoretical and conceptual) and methods required to analyse complex situations/issues relating to public affairs and develop solutions that will ensure modern and effective management of the public sector.
• Adopt a viewpoint on governance at many different levels.
• Pursue a comparative approach in the analysis of institutional dynamics and the interactions between public and private stakeholders.
• Direct and evaluate, in concrete terms, changes in public organisations at European, federal, regional and local level.
• Deal with complex problems independently and rationally.
• Defend positions at different levels of the political arena.
• Identify best practices and draw lessons from foreign experience.
• On completion of this Masters course, graduates will also have developed their personal research skills, meaning that they will have independently built up their knowledge of conceptual or theoretical questioning in a field of their choice, particularly with regard to the thesis (and depending on their chosen focus and course), while interacting with the reality on the ground through the work placement coupled with the thesis.

Through their choice of focus, graduates undertake specialised training geared towards management and the evaluation of public policy, management and European policies or environmental concerns in public policy (sustainability and public policy).

Aware of the responsibility that goes with the role of decision-maker, graduates will have adopted a critical academic attitude, enabling them to make decisions completely independently, with civic and ethical values and public service being core concerns. They will have invested in a continuous development approach enabling them, as professionals, to demonstrate expertise, and the ability to adapt and evolve positively in their socio-professional environment.