Master of Arts (Social Policy)

Summary

Take your social policy study to the next level

Discover how and why power, resources and opportunities are distributed within society.

If you are fascinated by how and why power, resources and opportunities are distributed within society, then Massey’s MA Social Policy is for you.

You will gain an understanding of the political, economic, social and cultural factors that influence the development, implementation and evaluation of social policy in Aotearoa New Zealand.

You will study law, politics, and the roles of central and local government in a democratic society. This will lead to insights into the relationship between the state, political parties, the judiciary, the legal system, and the public in shaping legislation and developing policy.

Careers

Your MA (Social Policy) will give you the knowledge and competencies you need in a career as a policy analyst and researcher. You will learn a range of intellectual and practical skills that will stand you in good stead in the job market.

This qualification opens up a world of opportunity to be involved in influencing a broad number of social issue outcomes from a government-down, or from an individual-, community- and society-up perspective. That may include issues like healthy housing, youth development, Maori wellbeing, health promotion and gender analysis of policy,

You will learn to apply your critical social policy analysis skills to a number of decision-making scenarios to result in better social outcomes. This decision-making can take many forms including a policy, a project plan, submission, or even the strategic direction of an organisation.

You could work in areas such as:

• research
• communications
• project management
• governance
• charitable trusts
• social marketing
• journalism (critical analysis of social issues)
• advocacy
• teaching and lecturing
• policy analysis - public, private and third sector (NGOs, PPPs, not-for-profit, voluntary and charity organisations)
• youth development
• community development
• politics
• government agencies - local, regional and central
• non government organisations (NGOs) - trusts etc (housing, Maori land trusts, health service providers, disability advocacy and support, youth development).

Elevate your career

Postgraduate education will give you the skills you need for a satisfying and rewarding career.

Planning overview

The Master of Arts (Social Policy) is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

Not all courses are available in each semester.

Grades achieved in the first 60 credits will determine eligibility for progression to Part Two.

• For the coursework pathway a minimum B grade average is required.
• For the research pathway a minimum B+ grade average is required.

If you enrol in a thesis, you commence with Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 1, followed by Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 in the next enrolment period. Both parts combine to meet the thesis requirements with a single grade assigned to each part.

If the thesis cannot be submitted at the end of the initial Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 enrolment, you must re-enrol in Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 and pay fees each semester until submission is made.