MSc in Public Administration - Public Management and Leadership

Leiden University

The Public Management and Leadership specialisation addresses public administration from an organisational and managerial perspective and prepares you to succeed as a leader in the public domain.

Why is Public Management and Leadership so relevant?

If government wants to solve societal challenges and improve society, individual public organizations must be able to achieve results. The Public Management and Leadership specialisation focuses on how management and leadership shape the performance of organizations in the public sector. In times of increasing complexity, management is needed to ensure that public organizations operate in an effective, efficient and reliable manner. At the same time, leadership is necessary for public organizations to be adaptive, responsive and innovative.

How does It relate to Today's Challenges and the Labour Market Needs?

This specialisation connects state-of-the-art theory and research on management and leadership to contemporary trends in the public sector, such as collaborative networks, co-producing citizens, transformative organizational change and post-bureaucratic forms of organizing such as teamwork. The four specialisation courses of this program are built around the challenges that public organizations face. In today’s labour market, there is a great need for organizational professionals who understand how the performance of public sector organizations can be improved, and how strategic insights can be translated into effective organizational action. These are the professionals that the Public Management and Leadership specialisation aims to educate.

Programme overview

The 1-year Master of Public Administration/Public Management and Leadership specialisation builds on two core courses followed by every MPA student: Public Institutions and Public Policy&Values, which give you an understanding of cutting-edge research in the field of public administration. Four specialisation-specific courses, one elective, and practical Research Design and Research Methods courses fill out your first three study blocks and prepare you to write your culminating master’s thesis in Block 4.

Courses are offered during two semesters: September-January and February-June.

Career prospects

The combination of academic and professional skills taught in the Public Management specialisation of Public Administration makes graduates excellent candidates for positions as a public manager, or take on an advisory role as a management consultant or strategic advisor within public organisations.

Skills after Graduation

In the Public Management specialisation of the Master in Public Administration, you gain knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and theories of public management, as well as how to carry out state-of-the-art academic research. On top of this you develop the professional skills to be able to effectively apply your knowledge in practice to respond to management challenges in international, national and local public organisational settings. After graduation you are especially well-equipped to fulfil a managerial position in a public organisation.