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National and International Administration and Policy | Master/Ph.D.

Students at the Griebnitzsee campus
Photo: Matthias Friel

This new English-language degree program at the University of Potsdam is currently unique in Germany, and it offers you the exceptional opportunity to study Public Administration and Public Policy in an international perspective. As a student in this program you will study at one of the most renowned universities in the areas of political and administrative science. You will be in an attractive academic environment and in the immediate vicinity of all levels of government and administration in practice. The interdisciplinary orientation of the program also allows you to study political and administrative science topics from the perspective of various disciplines.

THE PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Name National and International Administration and Policy
DegreeMaster of Arts (if applicable: Ph.D.)
Standard period of study4 semesters
Credit points120
Language of instructionEnglish
Start of study (1st semester)Summer and winter semester
CampusGriebnitzsee
Fees & ChargesSemester fees and charges: yes
Tuition fees: no

Program Content

During your studies you will engage with core topics in political and administrative science research from an international and comparative perspective. The focus is on empirical projects in the areas of administration, public policy, management, and governance using qualitative and quantitative methods and drawing on subject-specific theoretical knowledge.

You will build and expand your knowledge about modes of governance, of public administration, structures and development of political systems in the 21st century, and the role of civil society interest groups in a national and international or supranational context; you will also gain deeper insight into the underlying legal frameworks. Furthermore, the elective modules make it possible to set your own focus, for example on questions of modernization of state and administration (e.g. administrative reforms), digitalization in state and administration, global crisis management, policy field analysis (e.g. municipal policy fields) and democracy research. In addition, you will expand your expertise in research methods and practice.

Prof. Dr. Geert Bouckaert, President International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS)

„Potsdam's MANIA looks at what works and what doesn't work in the public sector. For this reason, it is a programme for the future of Public Administration.“

Course Objective and Future Career Options

The Master's program has an academic as well as a professional orientation. In the Fast-Track-Doctoral Stream you have the opportunity to work towards a doctoral dissertation. During your theoretical and empirical training you will deepen your knowledge about the structure and the functioning of public administration from the local to the global level. You will reflect on the interdependencies of structures and actors of public policy as well as on the explanatory power of core theoretical concepts and the feasibility of research designs. The interdisciplinary orientation of the program is a great advantage here, as it allows you to connect knowledge from political science and law, from sociology and economics. The focus is on the simultaneous empirical use of and critical reflection on acquired theoretical knowledge. The program also focuses on deepening your knowledge of social science methods with regard to qualitative and quantitative analysis. This training is closely tied to the current research done in the faculty.

Graduates will thus encounter a broad range of professional opportunities: Besides universities or research institutions, future employment can include administration, parties and other social interest groups, non-governmental organizations, or the media. The international orientation of the program qualifies you especially to work in a supra- or international environment. Click here to find an overview of further career fields available for you after graduation.

Prerequisites for Admission to the Master’s Program

If you are interested in the connection between political and administrative sciences, and if you have a desire to do interdisciplinary and research-oriented work, you already possess the basic requirement for this Master's program.

Generally, a prerequisite for admission to the Master's program is having the first professional academic degree, e.g. a Bachelor's degree. Your first degree should be in a subject relevant to the Master's program, e.g. in the political, administrative or social sciences. During your studies you should have acquired knowledge in the core areas of political / administrative science as well as in social science methodology. Because this is an English-language program, you are also expected to have very good proficiency in the English language (at least level C1) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). For applicants who are not German citizens, the Program requires a proof of basic German language proficiency that corresponds to the level of A2 (CEFR). Please also note these FAQ.

Further program specific admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations for the Master's program.

Prof. Dr. Geert Bouckaert, President International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS)

„Potsdam's MANIA looks at what works and what doesn't work in the public sector. For this reason, it is a programme for the future of Public Administration.“

Program Structure

During the course of the four-semester program, you will complete a total of 120 Credit Points. Besides seminars and projects, you will also attend lecture courses. The following overview provides more detailed information:

PROGRAM CONTENT AND CREDIT POINTS

Modules

Credit points

Foundation Modules36 CP

National and Comparative Public Administration

Government, Governance and Organization 

Public Policy

12 CP

12 CP

12 CP

Specialization Modules42 CP

Elective Modules
Two modules must be selected.

Political Science 

Public Management and Electronic Government

Law and Administration 
 

Research and Methods

Complementary Courses

18 LP
 

9 CP

9 CP

9 CP
 

12 CP

12 CP

Elective Modules
One module must be selected.
12 CP

Cross Disciplinary Courses

Cross Disciplinary Courses & Internship

12 CP

12 CP

Master's Thesis, Colloquium & Disputation30 CP
Total120 CP

The Master's program offers qualified students the opportunity to work towards a doctoral dissertation within the Fast-Track-Doctoral Stream. Here the module structure is slightly modified. For further information, please take a closer look at the rules and regulations or contact the departmental advising office.

Departmental Advising

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kuhlmann
Phone: +49 331 977-3509
E-Mail: info-maniauni-potsdamde
Campus Griebnitzsee | Building 7, Room. 2.22

Dr. Birgit Kletzin
Contact person for questions regarding admission, examination and study organization
Phone: +49 331 977-3408
E-Mail: kletzinuni-potsdamde
Campus Griebnitzsee | Building 1, Room 1.27

Advantages at a Glance

  • a unique opportunity to earn a completely English-language Master's degree in the area of "Public Administration/Policy",
  • a strong international orientation of the program,
  • the excellent reputation and expertise of the faculty in the area of public administration, public policy, and management,
  • an attractive university location in the immediate vicinity of government and administrative institutions at all levels,
  • an excellent international network and a high density of research institutions,
  • the interdisciplinary design of the entire Master's degree program and the close cooperation between fields,
  • the opportunity to prepare for a doctoral dissertation already during the Master's degree program (Fast Track Stream),
  • excellent employment opportunities at home and abroad,
  • option for part time study.

Application

Have you decided to pursue the English-language Master's degree in National and International Administration and Policy at the University of Potsdam? Then you should take the next step on the application pages to find out more about current application and enrollment procedures.

Departmental Advising

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kuhlmann
Phone: +49 331 977-3509
E-Mail: info-maniauni-potsdamde
Campus Griebnitzsee | Building 7, Room. 2.22

Dr. Birgit Kletzin
Contact person for questions regarding admission, examination and study organization
Phone: +49 331 977-3408
E-Mail: kletzinuni-potsdamde
Campus Griebnitzsee | Building 1, Room 1.27

This description is based in part on the information provided in the program-specific rules and regulations for the Master's degree program National and International Administration and Policy at the University of Potsdam, dated November 12, 2014 (AmBek No. 11/15, p. 614), as well as the ammendments of these regualtions.