MPA Comparative Applied Social and Public Policy, Evaluation and Research (CASPPER) Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised February 2023
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6	Programme Title			MPA Comparative Applied Social and Public Policy, Evaluation and Research
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2023 (and 2nd year for 2022 entrants)		Award type			MPA
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10	What level is this qualification?			7		Length of programme			21 months
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full Time
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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16	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			SBS
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18	Lead department			SBS		Other contributing departments			Sociology
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20	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus
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24	Partner organisations
25	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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29	Reference points
30	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
31	Subject Benchmark Statements - Social Policy.
32	Subject Benchmark Statements - Social Policy.
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
36	No
37	No
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
41	N/A
42	N/A
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44	Internal Transfers
45	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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47		Transfers in:	N/A			Transfers out:	N/A
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
52	The MPA Comparative Applied Social and Public Policy, Evaluation and Research (CASPPER) aims to equip you with a systematic understanding of contemporary policy development, governance, delivery and evaluation. The study of social and public policy draws from a wide range of disciplinary traditions that explore the role of political, economic and institutional explanations for the development of effective policy responses to contemporary social problems. You will gain in-depth understanding of the policy process and analyse complex social problems by drawing on relevant and appropriately advanced, research methods skills. The programme is strongly comparative and international in focus, drawing on experiences of OECD countries, and relevant international agencies. As professionals who are working in policy and practice the programme offers you flexibility and support in developing your own learning experience, allowing you to develop a tailored set of activities built around a portfolio-learning process. You will gain from Masterclass activities (including invited sessions led by local, national and international agencies as well as Departmental staff) and a world class research active environment that will allow you to develop an in-depth understanding of independent project management. The Programme is aimed at those currently working in policy roles (policy development, research and evaluation, implementation and delivery, and lobbying). Graduates of MPA CASPPER will become well-equipped social policy analysts (policy design, governance and evaluation) that could pursue opportunities in advocacy, consultancy, policy analysis within local, national, cross-national and global policy organisations.
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63	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
64	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
65	PG Cert Comparative Applied Social and Public Policy, Evaluation and Research			No	Gained core knowledge of key theories in social policy analysis and comparative research methods.			Students will have completed two core modules which cover: core knowledge of key theories in social policy analysis (Social Policy Analysis or Advanced Policy Analysis); and core knowledge of comparative research methods (Comparative & International Social Policy: Research Methods or International and Comparative Research Methods) and one more module (total of 60).
66	PD Diploma Comparative Applied Social and Public Policy, Evaluation and Research.			No	Gained core knowledge of key theories in social policy analysis and comparative research methods.			Students will have completed 120 credits - the only condition is that they pass two core modules which cover: core knowledge of key theories in social policy analysis (Social Policy Analysis or Advanced Policy Analysis); and core knowledge of comparative research methods (Comparative & International Social Policy: Research Methods or International and Comparative Research Methods).
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68	Programme Learning Outcomes
69	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
70	1	Engage and inform policy discussions at local, national, cross-national and global levels through ensuring students have in-depth knowledge of key theories and analytical methods on social and public policy analysis.
71	2	Identify and synthesise theories and concepts from multiple disciplines and critically apply them to real world contexts to contribute to the informed construction of social and public policy responses to social needs.
72	3	Effectively design policy research projects drawing on appropriate research theory and methods; retrieve, generate and interpret relevant primary and secondary data, digital resources and work within appropriate ethical codes of conduct and data protection laws.
73	4	Communicate research findings and policy analyses authoritatively to a specialist and informed audiences in ways that balance academic rigour and accessible presentation of complex information.
74	5	Reflect on their own independent learning experience by conducting and facilitating the management of an applied policy transfer project and scoping project that would require them to analyse policy context, devise policy strategies and take into account multiple and multilevel interests.
75	6	Work effectively in teams, with sensitivity to the individual perspectives, organisational positions and institutional dynamics of peers and other actors, and recognition of their own subjective positions.
76	7	Critically apply knowledge and skills to the pursuit of social progress beyond the local and domestic policy-making context as active and participatory citizens.
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78	Diverse entry routes
79	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
80	Students will benefit from a range of support already developed for this student body, including: a well-established induction programme covering key study skills issues; an essay writing and referencing workshop delivered by Departmental staff early in semseter 1 (with subject specific practice essay option); and, pre-sessional and in-session language classes options. Additionally students that lack a background in social policy are provided prior to the start of the programme key readings that enable them to familiarise with introductory terms and concepts of social policy analysis and research. Individual supervision sessions monitor the student progress, particularly those students with qualifications in less closely related subjects. The background of each student (within social and public policy) is an aid to ensuring understanding of key concepts and issues. These experiences are drawn upon to good effect during the masterclasses.
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89	Inclusion
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91	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
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93	Employability
94	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
95	The PLOs include a suite of transferable skills that can be applied in a wide range of problem-solving contexts, such as being able to interpret and critically evaluate complex material and communicate such material in a variety of formats. Students will develop a rounded awareness of and sensitivity to a range of perspectives and interests that will be essential for employability in the social and public policy fields and more widely. Students will develop independent and team-based working skills, including planning and time-management culminating in their dissertation work. The programme's substantive focus on social policy delivery and evaluation will enhance the employability of MPA graduates, including employment in international and national organisations dedicated to social and public policy research and analysis including public, private and non-for-profit organisations that are involved in the designing, consultation and delivery of social and public policy. Students completing the programme will be well-placed to apply directly for PhD studies in social and public policy.
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