Master of Public Policy–MPP 180 points Qualification regulations

1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MPP degree shall have:

(i) completed a New Zealand Bachelor’s degree or another degree approved by the Associate Dean (Students) of the Wellington School of Business and Government;

(ii) had two years of relevant work experience (this requirement may be waived by the Head of the School of Government in special cases); and

(iii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.

(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the associate dean for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.

2. (a) (i) Except as provided in (b) or section 4, the course of study for the MPP shall consist of courses worth at least 180 points, comprising:

Part 1: GOVT 501, GOVT 505, GOVT 521, GOVT 522, GOVT 523, GOVT 525

Part 2: 75 further points from the Schedule to the MPP regulations, or a coherent 75-point programme of study consisting of 400- and/or 500-level courses, taught at this university, approved by the associate dean in consultation with the relevant head of school.

(b) The head of school may exempt from any Part 1 course a candidate who has mastered the material covered in that course through previous study and/or practical experience. Credit may be awarded where the previous study involved postgraduate courses not credited to a completed qualification; otherwise, the candidate shall replace exempted courses with approved electives of equivalent points value.

(c) A candidate who fails two or more courses, or who fails one course twice, will need the permission of the head of school to continue in the programme.

3. A candidate shall normally be enrolled for at least three trimesters and shall complete the degree within four years of first enrolling in it. The head of school may extend the maximum period in special cases.

4. (a) The MPP may be awarded with a specialisation in Economics (ECON), e-Government (EGOV), Finance (FINA), Human Resource Management and Employment Relations (HRER), Information Systems (INFO), International Business (IBUS), Management (MGMT), Marketing (MARK), or Tourism Management (TOUR) if Part 2 includes at least 45 points with that subject code.

(b) (i) The MPP may be awarded with a specialisation in Health and Wellbeing (HLWB), if Part 2 includes at least 45 points from HLTH 524, HLTH 525, HLWB 501–512.

(ii) The MPP may be awarded with a specialisation in Accounting (ACCY), if Part 2 includes at least 45 points from 400- or 500-level ACCY courses, MMPA 501, MMPA 502, MMPA 506, MMPA 509, MMPA 510, MMPA 512, MMPA 513, or approved substitutes.

(iii) The MPP may be awarded with a specialisation in Commercial Law (COML), if Part 2 includes at least 45 points from 400- or 500-level COML courses, MMPA 503, MMPA 505, or approved substitutes.

(iv) The MPP may be awarded with a specialisation in Public Management (PMGT), if Part 2 includes at least 45 points from GOVT 502, GOVT 511–514.

(c) The MPP may be awarded without a specialisation.

5. The MPP may be awarded with Distinction or Merit as described in the Assessment Handbook.