COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Public Administration focuses on understanding and addressing complex societal problems through the management, steering, and coordination of political, administrative, economic, and social actors. It examines both the formal and informal regimes, as well as the policy processes within which these actors operate, in order to find effective solutions to collective challenges. A central feature of the program is its strong emphasis on governance from a multi-level perspective. This approach recognises that societal issues rarely remain confined to a single level of governance and that solutions often require coordination across local, national, regional, and international contexts.The Ebola outbreak illustrates this dynamic clearly. What began as a local public health problem within a few countries quickly escalated into a global crisis, driven by the interconnectedness of modern transportation networks. Similarly, the migration of boat refugees fleeing famine or civil war in their home countries presents not only a humanitarian challenge but also a significant governance issue for the European Union, requiring cooperation among multiple states and institutions. These examples underline the importance of understanding governance as a multi-level process that demands both flexibility and coordination among diverse actors.By analysing such cases, the program trains students to critically assess how governance systems function under pressure, and how different actors—governments, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and private institutions—interact to address urgent challenges. Students develop the analytical skills needed to evaluate policy processes, the capacity to understand institutional complexity, and the ability to propose innovative solutions that reflect both ethical considerations and practical constraints.The Master of Public Administration therefore provides not only theoretical insights into governance but also the tools to apply them in real-world contexts. Graduates are prepared to work in roles where they can bridge gaps between actors and levels of governance, ensuring that pressing collective problems, whether local or global, are addressed effectively and responsibly.