MA Public Policy is a 2-year full-time postgraduate program that aims to equip students with the skills of addressing economical, political and social issues and managing these issues by coming up with coherent solutions.
Check Top MA Public Policy Colleges in India.
The topics covered in this course are law, governance, statistical and data analysis, qualitative research, public policy process, academic writing, economics for public policy, political philosophy for public policy, social and cultural theory along with other subjects.
In this course, students are also trained in writing a dissertation and working on Capstone projects.
To be eligible to apply to this course, students must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university with an aggregate of at least 50% marks.
Admission to this course will be done either on the basis of the performance of candidates in the entrance exams conducted by the admission authorities or based on candidate’s performance in the bachelor's degree exams.
Some of the Top MA Public Policy Colleges are as follows:
| Name of the College/ University | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Lucknow, Lucknow | Entrance-Based | INR 36,000 | INR 4,38,000 |
| Mumbai University, Mumbai | Entrance-Based | INR 34,405 | INR 5,28,000 |
| Adamas University, Kolkata | Entrance-Based | INR 1,05,100 | INR 6,00,000 |
| OP Jindal Global University, Sonepat | Merit-Based | INR 3,51,000 | INR 8,78,000 |
| MSRUAS, Bangalore | Merit-Based | INR 2,63,250 | INR 7,25,000 |
The tuition fees for enrolling in MA Public Policy courses vary as per universities. The average annual course fees generally vary between INR 12,000 and 1,80,000.
MA Public Policy job prospects include a large number of jobs in many government and private sectors, consultancies, PSUs, NGOs, and research organizations. Students can work as a Policy Analyst, Lobbyist, Government Analyst, Research Associate, Statistician, Chief Administrative Officer, Program Director etc.
The average starting salary can be around INR 3,00,000 to 9,00,000 per annum in top companies like ActionAid, Bennett & Coleman, Chase India, Asian Development Research Institute, Indian Revenue Services, Grant Thornton, Dell Incorporation, MSME Foundation, Axis Foundation etc.
After completing this course, students can pursue higher studies and advanced academic exploration along with research through MPhil Public Policy and PhD Public Policy courses. This course essentially provides a solid basis for further studies and related prospects.
Table of Content
2.1 Why Study?
3.2 Entrance Exams
3.3 How to Get Admission in a Good MA Public Policy College?
7.1 Future Scope
MA Public Policy Course Highlights
| Course Level | Post-graduate |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester System / Year-wise |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor Degree or equivalent in any course from a recognized university |
| Admission Process | Performance in entrance examination and direct admissions |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 12,000 to 1,80,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3,00,000 to 9,00,000 |
| Job Profiles | Policy Analyst, Lobbyist, Government Analyst, Research Associate, Statistician, Chief Administrative Officer, Program Director, Assistant Professor, Public Affairs Manager, Director of Public Policy etc. |
MA Public Policy: What is it about?
Read the points given below to know what MA Public Policy is all about:
- The postgraduate course of MA Public Policy is suitable for candidates who wish to engage in the complex areas of the country's public affairs.
- The course specializes in the area of policy-making thus training the candidates to be public officials and leaders, change-makers, researchers, and much more.
- The various subjects that are covered in this course are law, governance, statistical and data analysis, qualitative research, public policy process, academic writing, economics for public policy, political philosophy for public policy along with other subjects.
- This course will develop talented candidates who are a good fit for the complex environment of policy-making and analysis. The skills that the students will be taught are analytical skills both quantitative and qualitative, managerial skills, policy-making process with real-world scenarios, defending democratic values, among a lot of other skills.
- Masters of Arts in Public Policy opens the door of the public world for the candidates which is exciting to explore and channels the students to think in terms of the public good.
- The main objective of this course is to enable the students to manage social, economic and political issues and come up with comprehensive solutions to the issues.
- The structure and processes of the government along with the ideas are included in the students’ daily observation tasks.
- The main focus of this course is on the design, implementation as well as evaluation of public policies.
Why Should You Study MA Public Policy?
There are many benefits of pursuing a MA Public Policy course. The main benefits of pursuing this program are as follows:
- Various Career Options: MA degree holders get plenty of career options to choose from. The options range from pursuing a professional course like CA and CS to opting for higher education options such as M.Phil, PhD etc.
- Job Opportunities: After post-graduation students get the opportunity to work in sectors. Students passing this course can work in many government and private sectors, they can work in consultancies, PSUs, NGOs, and research organizations. They can work as a Policy Analyst, Lobbyist, Government Analyst, Research Associate, Statistician, Chief Administrative Officer etc.
- Higher Salary: Due to various job profiles and job areas to choose from, you will be able to earn a decent salary package. The average salary will be around INR 3,00,000 to 9,00,000.
- Entrepreneurship: After completing the course many choose to be an entrepreneur. This is due to the fact that a MA postgraduate knows about consultant, finance, public policy and insurance which aids them in starting a small scale (MSME) business and work towards achieving their goal of being a successful entrepreneur.
What is the Admission Process for MA Public Policy?
The MA Public Policy Admission Process can vary as per the university rules and regulations. Some universities grant admission to students in this course based on merit. Some of the top-most Indian universities prefer conducting entrance exams to grant admission to qualified candidates.
The admission procedures followed in the Indian universities for admission to MA Public Policy course are given below.
Merit-based admission
In merit-based admission, the universities offering MA Public Policy grant admission to students based on their marks obtained in the graduation level.
Entrance-Based Admission
The steps of the entrance-based admission are provided below:
- Registration: Candidates have to register themselves using their email id and mobile number.
- Filling up of application form: On creation of login id, fill the application form by providing the required information correctly.
- Uploading of documents: In this step, candidates have to upload the necessary documents such as photograph, signature, id proof, Class 10 and 12 certificates, Bachelor’s degree etc.
- Application Fee: On uploading the requisite documents, students have to pay the requisite amount of application fee online.
- Issuing of Admit Card: Based on the details submitted by the students, the admission authority will issue the admit cards to the eligible students.
- Entrance Examination: After getting the admit card, exam dates will be released by different conducting bodies. Candidates have to sit for the entrance test and qualify the same to get admission.
- Declaration of Result: In the final stage, admission authorities will release the results of the entrance test they have appeared for.
- Enrolment: Successful candidates will then be allotted seats to the respective institutes.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for Admission to MA Public Policy?
The minimum eligibility criteria for students seeking admission to MA Public Policy program in Indian universities are given below :
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university.
- Must have secured an aggregate of at least 50% marks in the Bachelor’s degree examination.
Which are the top MA Public Policy Entrance Exams?
There are only a few colleges which conduct an entrance test for admission to the MA Public Policy course. The examination mostly has a duration of 2 to 3 hours during which the students are required to attempt objective type questions. The examination details are released by the colleges every year.
How to prepare for MA Public Policy entrance exams?
Candidates are advised to follow the below mentioned points to score well in the entrance examination: .
- As entrance examinations vary from one university to another, it is recommended that students prepare for a list of targeted universities and their relevant admission tests.
- Knowledge of the relevant entrance examination and their respective patterns and syllabus will enable the candidate to prepare for the entrance exam more solemnly.
- Aspirants must have a good knowledge and a thorough understanding of the concepts related to Public Policy.
- The students must have a clear idea of the concepts and syllabus of the relevant entrance tests.
- Following the rules and regulations of the relevant examinations is another important point that the candidates have to keep in mind while attempting the entrance tests.
- Don’t forget to revise things before appearing for the entrance exam, as this is the most important aspect of one’s preparation.
How to Get Admission in a Good MA Public Policy College?
- Students can get admission in a good college if they have an astounding academic record in graduation and also on the basis of your performance in various national or state level entrance tests. The greater the score, the better will be the chances of getting admission in the top colleges across India.
- To succeed in the tough competition of cracking the entrance exams, students must have a proper understanding of the pattern, syllabus and the concepts related to the concerned discipline.
- Many universities across India grant admission to students based on their merit or marks obtained in the graduation level. So the students must have a high aggregate score at the graduation level.
- Some universities prefer considering both the marks of graduation aggregate and entrance exam score for an ultimate merit list. Hence, it is highly recommended that the students get high marks in both these examinations to gain a top position in these merit lists.
- Keep track of all the important events pertaining to admission so that you will never miss any deadline. Also, keep a track of eligibility criteria, course cut-off, application procedure, application fee and all the updates in newspapers, official websites etc.
- Students are advised to practice as many papers and questions as they can in order to enhance your time management skills.
Which are the Top Colleges for Studying MA Public Policy?
A large number of universities across India offer MA Public Policy courses. Some of the top universities among them are given below in a tabulated form along with their respective location, average annual fee etc.
| Name of the College/ University | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Lucknow, Lucknow | Entrance-Based | INR 36,000 | INR 4,38,000 |
| Mumbai University, Mumbai | Entrance-Based | INR 34,405 | INR 5,28,000 |
| Adamas University, Kolkata | Entrance-Based | INR 1,05,100 | INR 6,00,000 |
| OP Jindal Global University, Sonepat | Merit-Based | INR 3,51,000 | INR 8,78,000 |
| MSRUAS, Bangalore | Merit-Based | INR 2,63,250 | INR 7,25,000 |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University of Social Sciences, Indore | Merit-Based | INR 12,000 | INR 5,97,000 |
| JSGP, Sonepat | Entrance-Based | INR 2,50,000 | INR 6,87,000 |
| Central University of Jammu, Jammu | Merit-Based | INR 11,715 | INR 3,52,000 |
Source: College Websites
College Comparison for MA Public Policy
The comparison of the top three Indian universities offering MA Public Policy course is given below in a tabular form along with their average annual fees, and average placement package offered:
| Parameters | University of Lucknow, Lucknow | Mumbai University, Mumbai | Adamas University, Kolkata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | The University of Lucknow offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research courses in various streams such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Law and Fine Arts. | The University of Mumbai is a state university which is formerly known as the University of Bombay. Around 56 university departments and over 781 affiliated colleges have been recognized by the Mumbai University. This deemed University offers UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, and Ph.D. programs. | At the UG level, the University conducts courses including B. Tech, BSc, BCA, D Pharm, BBA, BA LLB, BBA LLB, certificate course and 4 specializations under Integrated M.Sc. program. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy or equivalent from a recognized university. | Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy or equivalent from a recognized university. | Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy or equivalent from a recognized university. |
| Admission Process | Entrance-Based | Entrance-Based | Entrance-Based |
| Average Fees | INR 36,000 | INR 34,405 | INR 1,05,100 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4,38,000 | INR 5,28,000 | INR 6,00,000 |
| Top Job Profiles | Policy Analyst, Lobbyist, Government Analyst, Research Associate, Statistician, Chief Administrative Officer, Program Director, Assistant Professor, Public Affairs Manager, Director of Public Policy etc. | Policy Analyst, Lobbyist, Government Analyst, Research Associate, Statistician, Chief Administrative Officer, Program Director, Assistant Professor, Public Affairs Manager, Director of Public Policy etc. | Policy Analyst, Lobbyist, Government Analyst, Research Associate, Statistician, Chief Administrative Officer, Program Director, Assistant Professor, Public Affairs Manager, Director of Public Policy etc. |
Source: College Websites
MA Public Policy Distance Learning
Students who are unable to get admission to the MA Public Policy program in regular mode can also pursue the same through Distance Learning mode. Before taking admission, Students must check for the validity of the course and the college in distance or correspondence mode.
- In order to be eligible for this course through correspondence mode students must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy or equivalent from a recognized university.
- The minimum duration required to complete this course from distance mode is 2 year and the maximum duration of the same is 5 years.
- Admission to MA Public Policy course through correspondence mode will be done based on the candidate's merit in the Bachelor’s degree examination.
- The average fee for the course ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 55,000 annually.
Given below are some colleges which offer this course through distance mode.
| College/ University Name | Admission Process | Average course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 10,800 |
What are the Subjects Covered in MA Public Policy Syllabus?
The MA Public Policy syllabus includes a comprehensive and integrative curriculum of both theoretical and practical study spread over the four semesters in two years. A semester-wise breakup of the general syllabus for MA Public Policy is given below in a tabulated form:
| Semester I | Semester III |
|---|---|
| Law, Governance and Institution | Public Finance and Administration |
| Statistical and Data Analysis | Programme Design and Evaluation |
| Qualitative Research Methodology | Pre Dissertation Workshop |
| Introduction to Public Policy Process | Elective |
| Academic Writing Workshop | - |
| Economics for Public Policy - I | - |
| Semester II | Semester IV |
| Economics for Public Policy - II (Macro) | Dissertation/Capstone |
| Political Philosophy for Public Policy | Electives |
| Policy Action Workshop | - |
| Social and Cultural Theory | - |
| Electives | - |
MA Public Policy vs MA Development Studies
MA Public Policy and MA Development Studies are both post-graduate degree courses of a comprehensive nature. But there are subtle differences between the academic curriculum of these two-degree courses.
A comparison between the two courses is given below in a tabulated form for better understanding along with their respective fee and expected salaries :
| Parameters | MA Public Policy | MA Development Studies |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | This course specializes in the area of policy-making thus training the candidates to be public officials and leaders, change-makers, researchers, and much more. | MA Development Studies is essentially a degree course of the humanities stream. The aim of this course is to equip students with the historical changes in the configuration of the state, social institutions, and civil society |
| Type of Degree | Post-graduate | Post-graduate |
| Duration | 2 years | 2 years |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university | Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university |
| Exam Type | Semester | Semester |
| Admission Process | Entrance/ Merit-Based | Entrance/ Merit-Based |
| Average Fees | INR 12,000 to 1,80,000 | INR 16,000 to 1,50,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,00,000 to 9,00,000 | INR 2,50,000 to 7,00,000 |
| Job Profiles | Policy Analyst, Lobbyist, Government Analyst, Research Associate, Assistant Professor, Public Affairs Manager, Director of Public Policy etc. | Consultant, Administrator, Social Worker, Teacher, Lecturer etc. |
Source: College Websites
What are the Career Options and Job Profiles Available After Completing MA Public Policy?
- The candidates who have successfully completed the post-graduation course in MA Public Policy can work in government and intergovernmental organizations.
- The career options for these postgraduates are in the field of research, advocacy, monitoring in civil society organizations, social entrepreneurship and many more.
- The top hiring companies for these candidates are ActionAid, Bennett & Coleman, Chase India, Asian Development Research Institute, Indian Revenue Services, Grant Thornton, Dell Incorporation, MSME Foundation, Axis Foundation and a lot of other companies.
Some of the popular professional jobs available to MA Public Policy degree holders along with the corresponding salaries are provided in the table given below:
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Analyst | The job responsibilities of a Policy Analyst are identifying issues and exploring areas for policy areas, collecting information, and then analyzing that information. They also need to report their findings. Apart from this, they also have to come up with new policies in order to address existing problems and also evaluate the effects of existing policies and government programs. | INR 5,87,632 |
| Lobbyist | The main job responsibility of a lobbyist is to convince the legislators to opt for certain public policy which is in accordance with the interest of their clients with the help of research and statistical analysis. They also provide public policy and political advice to their clients. | INR 6,97,218 |
| Public Affairs Manager | The main job responsibilities of a Public Affairs Manager are monitoring the effects of any changes in the public policies on the company, charity, trade union, think-tank, or trade association that they work for. They also need to advise the senior staff on this and also advance the interests of their employers with decision-making bodies such as local government, industry regulators, and political bodies. | INR 4,84,604 |
| Research Associate | The job responsibilities of a Research Associate, as the name states, include performing market research and gathering that data to help their company with better marketing of their products or services. Another responsibility that a Research Analyst has is to identify the company's position in the marketplace by checking about their competitors and analyzing their market details. | INR 3,02,473 |
| Chief Administrative Officer | Chief Administrative Officer, being a top-tier executive manages and supervises all the administrative, financial, and marketing-related business of any company. They are in charge of most of the daily activities of the company and report to the Chief Executive Officer of the company. | INR 9,21,034 |
Source: College Websites
What is the Future Scope After Completing a MA Public Policy Course?
Students who have completed the MA Public Policy program have numerous career options. The future scopes for students of MA Public Policy are given below :
Higher and advanced education: Students can opt for higher advanced education and research opportunities after completing their MA Public Policy postgraduate course. The higher education options they can pursue are :
- B.Ed.: For those who want to pursue a career as a school teacher in either public schools or private schools can consider enrolling in a B.Ed degree course. This course can provide them with the necessary insights required for teaching at different school levels.
- M.Phil.: Post-graduate students can opt for pursuing an MPhil Public Policy. This will present them with a scope to gain more thorough and intense knowledge over the subject and will provide them with opportunities for academic research.
- PhD: Students can also enrol in PhD in Public Policy course. Along with in-depth research and studies on the subject, this provides massive scope for further employment with higher pay-scales.
- Competitive Exams:Students, after completing their post-graduation in Public Policy, can appear in different competitive examinations for government jobs, including UPSC CSE, IFS, and PSC of different states.
- Junior Research Fellowship:Students can also appear for NTA-UGC NET-JRF that will grant them eligibility for employment as Assistant Professor in Indian colleges and universities, and also open up research avenues in top universities.
So, after completion of MA Public Policy course students will be able to choose a career as per their skills and area of interest. You can go for higher education or you can also opt for a decent job. It all depends on you whether you want to do the job after completing this course or you wish to do research for the betterment of the world.
MA Public Policy FAQs
Some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to MA Public Policy program are given below:
Ques. Is MA Public Policy a good course?
Ques. Is MA Public Policy course a difficult course?
Ques. Can Arts stream students take admission in this course?
Ques. After completing this course, can a student apply for a government job?
Ques. Are there any good colleges in Delhi to pursue an MA Public Policy course?
Ques. Can I pursue another degree course with this course in full time?
Ques. Is there any university which offers this course from distance learning?
Ques. Does Delhi university Provide this course?
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