Master of Arts in Social Policy and Social Development

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Programme Aims

The MA in Social Policy and Social Development programme aims to prepare students to develop the necessary core professional and personal competence required to work in the field of social policy and to engage in professional practices in social development. This involves gaining critical knowledge and skills in analysing and appreciating local and global policy issues and the ability to formulate and assess policy options that ensure effective, appropriate and sustainable outcomes, uphold social justice and improve social well-being. To these ends, the programme is designed to bring together theory and practice that enables participants in the programme to meet challenges in social development ethically and imaginatively.

Characteristics

Unlike most other postgraduate programmes in social policy, this MASPSD is designed for those who are either thinking to embark on a career in Social Policy or Social Development or those who are already mid-career practitioners seeking to improve their knowledge about public and non-government sectors specialising in social policy and planning for social development. It is structured to offer rigorous, interdisciplinary and hands-on training across a number of academic, managerial and professional disciplines that prepare participants to translate knowledge into action to bring about social development, especially through responsible policy analysis, formulation, impact assessment and evaluation.

The programme provides students with a solid foundation in social policy analysis that can be adapted and applied to many fields of human service provision and practice in social development. Graduates are expected to gain the competence necessary to participate effectively in social policy processes, conduct needs assessments, evaluate policy impacts and develop appropriate and relevant policy options that respond responsibly to new challenges in social development.

Recognition & Prospects

Graduates of this programme with relevant work experience may apply for membership of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA).

Programme Structure

To be eligible for the award, students are required to take 30 credits (6 Required Subjects including the Integrative Project and 4 Elective Subjects).

Students who have successfully completed 21 credits (4 Required Subjects and 3 Elective Subjects) can exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma.

Students who have successfully completed 12 credits (2 Required Subjects and 2 Elective Subjects) can exit the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate.