Department of Public Policy and Management
MA Degree in Public Policy and Management
MA – Public Policy and Management
The MA degree in Public Policy and Management prepares students for professional careers in the public service and other organizations requiring specific knowledge of management of the public sector. The program includes four pre-requisite courses in the fields of Economics, Political Science, Statistics and Research Methodology. Six core courses must also be completed followed by eight elective courses. The core courses cover issues in Political Science, Economic Policy, Public Policy, Public Management, Operations Research, and Research Methods. Students may thereafter select from 25 elective courses.
Throughout the year several intensive one-week seminars and workshops are offered. Typical courses include: Advanced Issues in Public Policy, Structural Changes in the Israeli Economy, Organizational Changes and Regional Management in Europe.
Two tracks are available: the standard track for those students whose immediate aim is to obtain an MA in Public Policy and Management , and the research (thesis) track for research-oriented students who wish to continue their studies to Ph.D. level. In each track, students must choose a field of specialization.
Specializations
Economic and Social Policy – this specialization deals with different issues regarding the relationship between economy and society, and aims at providing students with tools for understanding social-economic processes and how they are effected by various policy instruments.
Policy and Management in Local Government – this specialization intends to provide students with methodological, theoretical and practical knowledge regarding the structures, institutions and processes that comprise the local government. Subjects of study include a vast array of issues pertaining to local government in Israel and abroad: decision making and implementation of local policy, central-local government relations, management and assessment of public projects in local authorities, external and internal auditing of local authorities, public and municipal law, local development through a regional outlook, urban planning, development of social capital, monitoring needs supply and assessment of local services and economic aspects of local authority management.
A third area of specialization is considered for next academic year: business management.
The objective of the specialization in business administration is to analyze the relationships between the public sector and the business sector, from various aspects. An emphasis is put on the role of the public sector as a regulator of the economic and business life. Students in this specialization will acquire tools that will help them in the understanding of the mutual relations between the public sector and the business sector, and the understanding of the regulation theory. Students will be exposed to theories of public finance, as well as major disciplines of business administration, with a emphasis upon finance, banking and the capital market.
Research
The Department places an emphasis on advanced academic research. Topics include: Public Policy, New Public Management, Regional Economic Development and Planning, Conflict Resolution, Ethnic Relations, Globalization, Business and Politics, Collective Action, Game and Public Choice Theory, Industrial Relations, Ideological Beliefs and Policy Considerations, Governability, Israeli Government, Israeli-Arab Wars and Peace Process, Democracy and Government in Judaism.
Special Activities
Conferences on Topical Issues
The Department organizes conferences dealing with topical issues on the Israeli public agenda. Students and faculty are invited to lectures and discussions with academics and senior public officials who explain and describe contemporary issues.
