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Master of Public Management (MPM) | Master (continuing education)

We have decided to stop enrollment in the Master of Public Management degree program. Therefore, application and enrollment for this degree program is currently not possible!

Studierende des Studiengangs
Photo: Stefanie Herbst

The Master of Public Management (MPM) at the University of Potsdam equips young professionals with a new understanding of public service issues. As a program that aims to contribute to a sustainable development in the public sector, it provides students with the necessary theoretical foundations, practical management and communication skills and hands-on knowledge that make them capable of driving public administration reform. The entire program is conducted in English and brings together a selected group of students from all over the world.

THE PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
NameMaster of Public Management (MPM)
DegreeMaster of Public Management
SpecializationsMPM Public Policy and Administration
MPM Global Public Policy
MPM GeoGovernance
Standard period of study2 semesters
Credit points60
Languge of instructionEnglish
Start of study (1st semester)Winter semester
CampusGriebnitzsee
Fees & ChargesSemester fees and charges: yes
Tuition fees: ja - 13.400€

Vorawan Wannalak, MPM class of 2013

„The MPM Program is truly an international program with a broad network of academics and professionals. I gained invaluable experiences learning from experts in various fields and institutions. After returning to my home country, Thailand, I shared the knowledge and experiences from the MPM program at a local university and, ultimately, decided to continue my academic career path with the WIPCAD Program for my Ph.D. It’s truly the best place to be, both for professional and academic achievement.“

Program Content

In order to meet the requirements of a public sector that is facing increasingly complex organizational problems and policy changes, the program equips its participants with solid theoretical knowledge, a broad range of practical skills and particular training in one of three specialization areas: Public Policy and Administration, Global Public Policy or GeoGovernance. At the beginning of their studies, the participants choose one of these three specializations.

Throughout the year, MPM students acquire foundational knowledge in Public Management and Applied Policy Analysis, complemented by trainings in leadership and management as well as communication and research skills. 

Depending on which specialization they decide to study, students attend different stream foundation modules. In the Public Policy and Administration (PPA) Stream, public financial management and human resource management is vital working knowledge that students learn. Global Public Policy (GPP) students are familiarized with concepts of global public policy as well as governments and governance in different developing and transition countries while the GeoGovernance (GG) specialization offers modules from both, social and natural sciences and allows students to deepen their knowledge in global environmental policies as well as earth sciences. 

The specialization modules are complemented by elective courses that the students can choose freely amongst the foundation courses of other streams or an additional offer of courses.

At the end of their studies, students write and defend a master thesis of around 15.000 words.

Vorawan Wannalak, MPM class of 2013

„The MPM Program is truly an international program with a broad network of academics and professionals. I gained invaluable experiences learning from experts in various fields and institutions. After returning to my home country, Thailand, I shared the knowledge and experiences from the MPM program at a local university and, ultimately, decided to continue my academic career path with the WIPCAD Program for my Ph.D. It’s truly the best place to be, both for professional and academic achievement.“

Andrés Ángel, MPM class of 2014

„During my time with the MPM, I improved my analytical skills and gained a better understanding of the importance of multidisciplinary work environments to make evidence-based decisions. I also got to know other cultures and understood the challenges and opportunities that different educational, religious and social backgrounds entail. Now that I work in environmental protection with governments, organizations and communities from Mexico to Argentina, I realize the immeasurable contribution of my MPM experience.“

Course Objective and Future Career Options

The MPM has a significant impact upon its graduates by enhancing their capacity to manage complex projects, tackle problems and apply theoretical knowledge – that is what the Alumni surveys indicate. 

Throughout the program, students have the chance to create a professional network with German and international experts and organizations through site visits and the Study Tour to Brussels. Furthermore, extracurricular events on individual career support are organized towards the end of each program year, helping students to explore their opportunities and individual profiles. The most valuable network of experts is however the alumni network of the program, as MPM students are young professionals with experiences in the public, private or non-profit sector that they share with their fellow students and alumni. 

To date, more than 390 students from 85 different countries graduated from the Master of Public Management. The majority of students hold civil servant, executive and leadership positions in the public or non-profit sector after their studies. MPM alumni indicate that the quality of German higher education, the prestige of the University of Potsdam as well as the multidisciplinary approach and international network of the program were most relevant to their career development after the end of their studies. The knowledge and skills acquired during the MPM can be applied to a high degree in the professional life of the alumni and the Master program promotes individual careers and development.

Andrés Ángel, MPM class of 2014

„During my time with the MPM, I improved my analytical skills and gained a better understanding of the importance of multidisciplinary work environments to make evidence-based decisions. I also got to know other cultures and understood the challenges and opportunities that different educational, religious and social backgrounds entail. Now that I work in environmental protection with governments, organizations and communities from Mexico to Argentina, I realize the immeasurable contribution of my MPM experience.“

Tran Van Ngoi, MPM Class of 2003

„What impresses me most in the MPM program of the Potsdam University is that the program has set up a network of professors, lecturers and practitioners coming from different universities, research institutions and international organizations in Germany and all over Europe. If professors provided us with academic knowledge of public management, the practitioners could equip us with useful practices and experiences of public governance from both developed and developing countries. Such an excellent combination of both theory and practice constitutes the uniqueness of the Potsdam University’s MPM program.“

Prerequisites for Admission to the Master’s Program

The MPM program is particularly designed for young professionals who have a first academic degree in social sciences, economics, business management, law or natural sciences. Applicants should ideally have professional work experience in the public sector, non-governmental organizations or development agencies or a strong interest to pursue a career in these sectors. Previous students have been young to mid-career professionals from Europe and abroad in their mid-twenties to mid-forties who gained professional experiences prior to participating in the program. 

In addition to the professional profile, the required application documents include:

  • Transcripts of all previous higher education degrees (Bachelor, Master…)
  • Degree certificates of all previous higher education degrees (Bachelor, Master…)
  • Proof of high proficiency in English through an internationally recognized English language test, i.e. TOEFL (minimum score IBT 80 or PBT 550 or CBT 220), IELTS (minimum average 6.5), Cambridge Advanced Certificate (CAE)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Letter of motivation, covering why applicants are interested in the MPM, what their career goals are and which challenges the public sector is currently facing in their eyes.

We do accept students with various academic and professional backgrounds to the MPM program based on their individual profile and the aspired set-up of the group. All candidates with a strong interest to pursue practice-oriented studies in the field of Public Management and Administration and the goal to work in development assistance, the public sector or NGO’s are welcome to apply.

Tran Van Ngoi, MPM Class of 2003

„What impresses me most in the MPM program of the Potsdam University is that the program has set up a network of professors, lecturers and practitioners coming from different universities, research institutions and international organizations in Germany and all over Europe. If professors provided us with academic knowledge of public management, the practitioners could equip us with useful practices and experiences of public governance from both developed and developing countries. Such an excellent combination of both theory and practice constitutes the uniqueness of the Potsdam University’s MPM program.“

Structure of the Program

The MPM program is completed in one year and completely conducted in English. In addition to the modules listed above, this timeframe also includes the one-week study tour and the Master's thesis. In the first semester, students primarily study foundation modules in management and policy analysis as well as introductory courses in their respective fields of specialization. In the second semester, they further develop their elective and specialization knowledge and are supported by a colloquium in writing the master's thesis.

The academic curriculum is complemented by hands-on insights into the work of experts and professionals in extracurricular activities. This way, the MPM and its unique structure meet the demand for suitably trained executives within one year only.

Fees and Funding

The current tuition fee for the 12 month MPM Program is € 13.400 and it has to be paid in five installments of each 3.225€ throughout the year. A registration fee of 500€ is required upon admission to the program and is deducted from the last installment, as a result of which is then only 2.725€.

Please note that the payment plan can be adjusted according to specific Scholarship requirements and the tuition fee can also be paid in one installment only. There are also attractive financing and funding opportunities. We are happy to advise you!

Contact

Postgraduate Master of Public Management Program

Advantages at a Glance

  • One-year, postgraduate and practice-oriented study program with 60 ECTS 
  • International students with work experience from around the world
  • Completely conducted in English
  • Three specialization areas: Public Policy and Administration (PPA), Global Public Policy (GPP) and GeoGovernance (GG)
  • Recognized and experienced faculty consisting of practitioners and academics
  • Continuous on-campus support before and during your studies through a dedicated local coordination team
  • Use of all University facilities and services, including hostel accommodation if desired
  • A number of extracurricular events with practitioners as well as site visits to government and international institutions and organizations
  • Improved career prospects and an active alumni network in more than 85 countries

In view of student's actual living situations, Potsdam University introduced the possibility of part-time study for many programmes. This applies to Master of Public Management as well.

Application

Have you decided for the Master of Public Management Program 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.

Contact

Postgraduate Master of Public Management Program

 


This description is based in part on the information provided by the Program-Specific Regulation for the "Master of Public Management" (MPM) at the University of Potsdam, dated 9 June 2011 (AmBek No. 21/11, p. 899), as well as the corresponding statutes for changing the Regulation.