Students enrolled on the Master [120] in Public Administration course (non-standard timetable) are working towards becoming expert actors in public life, particularly in the field of public administration, at different levels of authority and in particular at regional and local levels 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 an ethical approach to public service.
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 a European, federal, regional or local level.
Students pursuing this Master's course (non-standard timetable) are involved in an active professional career. Throughout the programme, the students draw on this experience and compare it with the theoretical and methodological knowledge, tools and frameworks and vice versa. The Master’s programme thereby enables them to call into question and enhance their professional development, incorporating an academic approach, an analytical outlook and critical detachment.
To meet these challenges, on completion of the Master in Public Administration programme, graduates will have developed politico-institutional expertise and be capable of introducing analytical strategies for a better understanding of public action and their environment and intervening in a rational, effective and fair manner They will be able to:
- Apply, in a critical manner, their in-depth knowledge of public life, power games between actors and institutions and the legitimacy issues related to the organisation of public authorities, from local to regional, as well as at national and international levels.
- Critically and pertinently use the tools (both theoretical and conceptual) and methods required to analyse complex situations/issues relating to public action, identify constraints on collective decisions and develop practical solutions that will ensure modern and effective management of the public sector.
- Incorporate into their analysis and action the complexity of the multi-level governance process, particularly in the context of European politics.
- Adopt a solicitous perspective of socio-economic development and democratic issues and implement an approach that integrates the interactions among various stakeholders involved in political life.
- Pursue a comparative approach in the analysis of institutional dynamics and the interactions between public and private stakeholders.
- Pursue an approach that takes account of the spatial extent of politics (spacialisation and territorialisation).
- Direct and evaluate, in concrete terms, changes in public organisations at European, federal, regional and local levels.
- Defend positions at different levels of the political arena.
- Identify best practices and draw lessons from experience abroad.
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, while interacting with the reality of their professional practice.
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 adopt a continuous development approach enabling them, as professionals, to display expertise, multiple skills and the ability to adapt and evolve positively in their socio-professional environment.
On successful completion of this programme, each student is able to :
On completion of this programme, graduates will be able to:
like all Master [60] in Political Sciences:
- Analyse the different regional geographic areas,
- Evaluate political action by sector or area,
- Use robust analytical and diagnostic tools,
- Apply a robust comparative approach.
• Select the relevant information required to analyse and compare political situations.
• Present the information in an accurate, structured, clear, precise and well-argued manner (demonstrating an ability to prepare reports, assessments, critical reviews, notes, etc.).
• Adapt the communication (content and form) to the targeted sector of the public and to the intended purposes according to the communication standards specific to the context (popularising, etc.).
More specifically, as graduates of the Master [120] in Public Administration (non-standard timetable) who have pursued the Professional focus (Regional development and territorial projects):
- the development and decision-making process at each stage of the cycle of a public policy and the analysis and direction of public action,
- the functioning and management of public organisations,
- the multi-level dimension of institutional systems,
- the national, regional, European and international political arenas.
- identifying, analysing and taking account of the numerous issues,
- identifying and analysing the stakeholders involved, their positions and their interactions,
- analysing the internal organisation of political institutions,
- critically and pertinently mobilising the tools (theoretical and conceptual) and methods required to analyse and act on the operating methods of the policies implemented, - making an in-depth study of the practical aspects of the implementation of public actions and the theoretical aspects arising from the current changes in this action, particularly in the Europeanisation and partnership process,
- adopting a robust comparative approach in the analysis of institutional dynamics and the interactions between public and private stakeholders,
- integrating multi-level governance processes,
- being mindful of socio-economic development and the spacial extent of the policies,
- mobilising the pertinent theoretical and conceptual tools to analyse European and international problems.
- Question practical situations based on their professional experiences.
- Combine their learning with a view to on-the-job social and professional action.
- Compare and discuss professional practices and different points of view (in peer groups and with experts).
- Compare theory and practice in order to learn how to critically examine the operation of an organisation and/or a problematic situation, as well as the theory relating to reality on the ground (a “round trip” between theories and practices).
- Adopting an analytical approach, situate and perform their role and scope of action within an organisation, liaising with the various internal and external stakeholders and adapting to the context and operational principles.