The programme’s mission and vision lay the foundation for the articulation of the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs). The MSc Public Administration programme educates students to acquire three major learning outcomes:
- 1. Knowledge-base of the field of Public Administration
Graduates have mastered interdisciplinary knowledge and skills at an advanced level in the field of public administration. Graduates:
1.1 are able to identify, discuss, and review state of the art theories, models, and results of research in the fields of policy, governance, management, and societal challenges.
1.2 are able to identify, discuss, and review applications of research in a relevant domain, such as health, communication / ICT, education, science and technology, safety and security, sustainability, city innovation.
- 2. Social scientific research and design competences in public administration
Graduates have research and design competences at an advanced level in the field of public administration Graduates are largely independently able to…
2.1 identify, (re)define, and analyse a complex, ill-structured societal problem from a theoretical framework in terms of a (combination of) a policy, governance and/or management problem.
2.2 incorporate knowledge from relevant other domains, including technology.
2.3 Carry out all aspects of an advanced-level social scientific study in the field of public administration. They are able to:
(a) formulate a scientific research question and consistent sub-questions.
(b) formulate testable hypotheses that are logically derived from an appropriate theoretical framework.
(c) develop a feasible research design and carry out a research, using appropriate methods and techniques of the social sciences for data collection and -analysis.
(d) interpret and evaluate the results of their analysis. They reflect on the results of their completed research, including a well-reasoned opinion in the case of missing or incomplete data.
(e) indicate and (ex-ante) evaluate the theoretical, practical, and ethical implications of the research for the field of public administration and provide recommendations for further research.2.4 Using scientific knowledge and models, graduates are able to design a solution to, or develop an advice about, a societal challenge in terms of (either) policy, governance, and management.
(a) they use a systematic design approach, creative skills, and—if applicable—technology.
(b) they take into account (the organization of) the implementation of their design.
(c) they reflect on the ethical, political, and societal implications of the solution. - 3. Academic and professional skills
Graduates have general academic and professional skills at an advanced level they can employ for the benefit of their future career. Graduates…
3.1 have academic reasoning skills, they are able to apply modes of reasoning (including deduction, induction, and analogy) and exchange and justify arguments in a critical, open, and constructive way.
3.2 are able to critically reflect on, and form an opinion on, the work and professional actions of themselves and others. Students are able to give constructive feedback (advice) and receive and make use of feedback (advice) from others to improve their actions, work (processes) and products.
3.3 are able to effectively communicate in the English language about the research and designs of themselves and others, both verbally (speaking in public, debates, discussions) and in writing (papers, reports, posters) in an academic and professional environment—taking into account the appropriate norms and conventions, as well as characteristics of the target group or audience.
3.4 are able to effectively and efficiently collaborate with others, both in an academic and professional environment.
3.5 are able to use the results of their work to advise a commissioning party in a convincing and goal-oriented way.
3.6 are able to spot gaps in their knowledge and know the ways to revise and extend their knowledge in a goal-oriented way. They are able to use their information-, media-, and ICT-skills.
The ILO’s have an academic orientation, as demonstrated by academic reflection in the knowledge base, social science research- and problem-solving competences and specialized competences in interdisciplinary work. The intended learning outcomes specify that students can carry out their thesis work at an advanced level and largely independently, stressing the master’s level of the ILO’s.