Political Governance and Public Policy
41.04.04In english
Level of education Master
Type of instruction Full-time
Duration 2 years
The Master’s programme is a two-year programme for learning at the level of the highest world standards. It is based on the achievements of scientific schools at St Petersburg University and ensures the innovative nature of education. Modern computer programmes and new information technologies are used in order to achieve a high level of professionalism and leadership qualities of graduates. The key and auxiliary disciplines are included. It aims to develop the practical skills required for analytical, expert, consulting and organisational work in the government and municipal authorities, in the sphere of corporate public policy, and in political parties and civil associations for developing, implementing, and evaluating policies and public programmes.
Full description
The programme is focused on the training of highly qualified analysts, managers and political leaders who will link their careers with the field of public administration and policy, including government agencies, international organisations, business and the non-profit sector.
Among future students, the University would like to see students with high-quality skills in social sciences, focused on obtaining high-quality education, willing to connect their future careers with science and scientific support of public policy, wishing to gain skills in the field of public policy analysis, and possessing leadership skills, communication skills, and a desire to work in a team.
The graduates will be able:
- to carry out systematic analysis of professional problem situations and develop a strategy for their solutions;
- to manage self-developed projects in the professional field at all life cycle stages;
- to organise and manage the activity of a working group, and develop a team strategy to achieve the goal;
- to apply modern communication technologies, in oral and written forms for academic and professional interaction;
- to communicate with people of different cultures;
- to determine and implement the priorities of their own professional activity and ways to improve it based on self-evaluation.
They will:
- be prepared for the independent solution of complex problems and the formulation of specific tasks using the new theories, methodologies and scientific approaches in the field of politics, international relations and public administration;
- be able to compile and implement research, analytical and expert projects;
- acquire main methodologies and methods for evaluating political programmes and decisions, and the effectiveness of public administration in various areas of domestic and foreign policy;
- know how to use quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis and forecasting of political processes, state policy, the activities of state and municipal authorities;
- have the knowledge of the law governing the relevant areas of politics and management; know the necessary standards and regulations.
Our graduates can be in demand in the position of:
- Analyst
- Consultant
- Researcher
- Advisor
- Public programme manager
- Government and municipal employee
- Deputy assistant
- GR manager
- Lobbyist
- Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
The programme has advantages associated with a combination of studying the Russian specifics of public policy and international experience. It is based on the unity of scientific and educational activities. The programme includes the possibility of inclusive education at foreign universities. It combines theoretical studies with the formation of practical skills in public policy.
Students specialise in the main areas of theory and practice of public policy in Russia and in other countries. In particular, they perform research on the following topics:
- The impact of migration policy on the formation of a common civic identity in Russia
- The impact of social networks on political processes in the Middle East
- Innovation policy in the Republic of Tatarstan: assessment of effectiveness
- The crisis of multiculturalism in Western Europe
- Monitoring political preferences of citizens in elections
- Features of modern protest movements in the youth immigrant community in Western Europe
- Features of the evolution of international terrorism at the turn of the 20th – 21st centuries
- The policy of creating a positive image of Russia in the CIS
- The role of value attitudes in the evolution of the political regime
- Comparative analysis of administrative reforms of the 1990s–2000s.
- Political career strategies in modern Russia: regional level
- Transformation of political competition in post-Soviet Russia
- Civilisational approach to the study of world politics and international relations
- Budget Policy in Russia (Public Budgeting)
- Knowledge Management in Public Policy
- Business and Interest Groups in Russian Public Policy
- Collaboration and Political Decision-Making Process
- Governance Through Communities
- Inequality and Social Policy in Russia
- Computer Science for Public Policy
- Macro and Microeconomics for Public Policy
- Organisational Management and Elaboration of Public Policy
- Political Development and Changes
- Political Discourse and Public Affairs
- Political Methodology and Philosophy
- Qualitative Methods in Public Policy Analysis
- Quantitative Methods in Public Policy Analysis
- Russia and New Emerging World Order
- Russian Governance and Decision Making
- Theories of Public Policy
The programme council includes scholars from various academic institutes and universities in Russia, the UK, the USA and India.
Larisa Nikovskaya, Doctor of Sociology, Professor, leading research associate at the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a well-known specialist in the field of conflict resolution and intersectoral partnership, head of the council of the master's programme
Leonid Smorgunov, Doctor of Science (Philosophy), Professor, Head of the Department of Political Governance, St Petersburg University, a well-known specialist in the theory of public policy, Vice-President of the Russian Association of Political Science
Galina Gribanova, Doctor of Sociology, Professor, Head of the Department of International Political Processes, a specialist in the field of comparative analysis of politics and management
Bull Martin, Doctor, Professor, Salford University, UK, Member of the Council of the Master's Programme