Master of Research and Public Policy (M.RPP) Programme starts at the Centre for Social Policy Studies
A section of the first batch of M.RPP students
The Master of Research and Public Policy is a two-year programme which was intuitively designed by twelve universities in seven African countries to offer students the opportunity to join their contemporaries across Africa in a collaborative learning experience. The programme at the University of Ghana which is hosted by Centre for Social Policy Studies started on 1st February 2016 with a week of orientation. The University of Ghana is the 9th institution to commence the programme.
The orientation week began with a short ceremony chaired by the Director of the Centre, Prof. Abena D. Oduro. In attendance were all faculty and staff of the Centre and participating faculty from other units. During the week students were taken on comprehensive tours of the University’s Balme Library and the Centre’s Library.
The first batch of enrolled graduate students come from diverse backgrounds including politics, sociology, psychology, geography, accounting, administration and economics. They comprise 7 women and 11 men.
The Centre wishes its first cohort of students success as they embark on their two-year journey towards graduating with a degree in the Master of Research and Public Policy.
Year started: 2016
Funding: Fee paying
Introduction The Master of Research and Public Policy (M.RPP) is a new programme that is being hosted by the Centre for Social Policy Studies on behalf of the University of Ghana. The programme offers students the opportunity to join other students across Africa in a collaborative learning experience. It is intuitively designed by twelve universities in seven African countries. The M.RPP is a collaboration between the University of Ghana and the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR), a not-for-profit organization based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Objective: The programme seeks to provide a platform for students who desire to pursue advanced academic and professional careers in research oriented public policy. The programme is designed to enable graduates develop competencies and career paths in either research or public policy analysis.
Course duration and content: The programme runs for two years. In the first year students are taken through comprehensive course work. At the end of the first year, students spend time on internships during which they gain some experience in their respective research areas. Students write their thesis in the second half of the second year. At the end of the programme a graduate is expected to have developed and demonstrated the ability to utilize evidence-based research in policy development and implementation
The courses taken by students are as follows:
First Semester:
· Qualitative Research Methods for Public Policy
· Quantitative Research Methods for Public Policy
· Public Policy Development and Analysis
· Governance & Politics of Public Policy
· Social Science Foundations for Public Policy
Second Semester:
· Economics for Public Policy
· Ethics in Research & Public Policy
Electives – Research Pathway
· Advanced Qualitative Methods
· Advanced Quantitative Methods
· Political Economy of Public Policy
Policy Pathway
· Applied Policy Analysis
· Contemporary Issues in Public Policy
· Global context of Public Policy
Third semester:
· Research, Policy and Public Interface
· Gender, Social Diversity, Equity & Public Policy
· Leadership and Public Policy
Fourth semester - Thesis writing
Teaching approaches:
Lectures for all the courses will be delivered through:
· Power point presentations by lecturers
· Videos and documentaries
· Interactive discussions between lecturers and students
· Group work (group discussions, exercises, debate, presentations by students to plenary)
· Case study (including e-cases)
· Role Play
Entry requirements:
A good first degree, minimum of second class lower division with some work experience. A first degree in the Social Sciences is an added advantage. Candidates must pass an entrance examination and interview.
The M.RPP is a full-time two-year evening programme which runs from Monday – Friday (5.00pm - 8.00pm)