SCIENZE DELLE PUBBLICHE AMMINISTRAZIONI Degree Programme Profile
Basic Information
Qualification awarded
Master Degree in SCIENZE DELLE PUBBLICHE AMMINISTRAZIONI
Qualification Type/Level
EHEA Second cycle, EQF level 7
Number of Years/credits
2 years; 120 ECTS
Mode of Study
Full-Time/Part-Time*
*All Degree Programmes are planned and organised for full-time students. It is possible, however (without special arrangements), to proceed through the course of study at one's own pace. This makes it possible, if necessary, to accommodate employment or other non-university activities or obligations.
Name of the Course Director and other contact information
President of the Degree Course Council:
Prof.
Email
Department of DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE POLITICHE
Internationalization Coordinator (CAI):
Prof. Maurizio Vernassa
Email vernassa@dsp.unipi.it
Language of Teaching
Italian
Admission Requirements
Formal Requirements
Italian First cycle qualification (Laurea) or foreign equivalent in the same or related subject area, with possible extra work if required competences are lacking.
Possible assessment prior knowledge and competences
Assessment of competences acquired in First Cycle studies in related or un-related subject areas to determine admission by Degree Programme Council with possible assignment of extra work to be done before admission.
Required knowledge and competences support programmes
Students whose curricula show lacuna may need to take extra first cycle course units before admission.
General Information
Programme Profile
The degree in Public administration focuses on public administration and local government. It provides a multidisciplinary perspective and offers several insights into the dynamics of public management and political decision-making. Students are exposed to a broad set of disciplines such as law, statistics, business economics, sociology, and moral philosophy. The study plan also tackles those issues related with program evaluation and public policy against corruption and business crime. The degree focuses on different legal disciplines, such as public law, administrative law, international and comparative law.
Key Learning Outcomes
Our graduates can perform public-policy management and evaluation. In particular, they can investigate the impact of legal rules on the broad economic and social context. Moreover, they can interact with public administration officers. They can also use cost and benefit analysis with respect to the main public economics issues. Finally, they are trained to develop public policies against corruption and business crime.
Our graduates are familiar with main information management techniques. They are also able to draft reports employing ICT tools in a coherent and integrated way. Finally, they are able to carry on independent research projects and supervise other people work.
Occupational Profile/s of Graduates
Most likely, our graduates are either employed in the high ranks of the public sector, both national and local, or hired by private not-for-profit organizations, workers’ unions, and employers’ associations.
They are typically assigned to human resource departments and those departments concerned with organizational, economic and technological development.
Access to further study
The Laurea Magistrale degree in Sciences of Public Administration allows the graduate to compete for entry into a Third Cycle programme/doctoral school.
Assessment methods, examination regulations, and grading
Assessment is normally by means of an oral or written examination; in some cases there are intermediate exams during the course; other elements (participation in discussion, written or oral reports, commentary of texts etc. ) are foreseen in specific course units and are described in the Course Unit Profiles.
The grading system for the course units consists of 30 possible points, plus 'lode' (cum laude) in case of excellence. Marks are given by the lecturer based on the performance as ascertained in a public examination by a board of at least two teachers. The main exam sessions are held in June/July; September; and January; students may resit exams**.
Actual grading curves differ in different degree programmes. The University of Pisa provides an ECTS Grading Table, which shows the actual distribution, of the examination and final grades among students for each degree programme, in order to facilitate the comparison with other grading systems. ---> Link to ECTS Grading Table
An overall mark is given on the occasion of the 'Final Exam', when a written research text is presented and discussed. The final overall mark is calculated based on the results of the marks obtained in the single course units and the final exam, and is based on 110 possible points, with the possible further mention of honours ("lode" or cum laude).
**The exam sessions are organised into sessions (the dates vary according to the Department and are published in the Department's academic calendar). In each session there are a certain number of 'appelli' [calls], or dates on which the examination for each course unit may be taken. The 'appelli' are fixed by the teacher. The students choose which of the appelli they wish to respond to. In most cases, it is obligatory to sign up before the specified date.
Requirements (regulations) to obtain the qualification
Our students’ final examination consists in the writing of an original dissertation. This is supposed to put into action the main skills acquired during the degree. Our candidates are supervised by a member of the faculty and are expected to defend their