Public Policy (Master’s, full-time)

General Characteristics

Public policy falls within the “Policy” school of thought in political science. This school of thought is based on knowledge and research concerning the management of specific spheres of public life. It focuses on the strategic formulation of policies in relation to various, specific areas of the functioning of the state and society.

Study Program

Students in the public policy program learn about key issues related to governance, as well as the practical principles of strategic management of various spheres of public life at the local, national, and supranational levels. They gain a thorough understanding of new trends in public administration, as well as the political, social, economic, and legal conditions that shape its operation. They learn—including through workshops—the practical skills necessary at each stage of designing and implementing public initiatives. They learn how to professionally plan reforms in various spheres of public life, how to assess the potential impacts of planned changes, how to manage these changes, and how to research and evaluate them. They thus become experts in policy-making across various areas of public life; moreover, thanks to numerous workshops, elective courses, and master’s seminars — they can individually deepen their knowledge of a specific substantive area of public policy, such as urban policy, social policy, economic policy, and others. They also learn about selected specific policies implemented in Poland and other countries as part of their coursework.

Students acquire key knowledge and skills in the fields of public sector economics and public finance, data analysis using modern tools, management of various areas of the public sector, and administrative law. They also gain a solid methodological foundation that enables them to pursue doctoral studies in the social sciences—particularly in the field of political science and public administration.

In light of the challenges of the modern world, the program also offers numerous courses designed to develop soft skills, particularly communication skills. Students practice these skills in courses such as interpersonal communication and negotiation workshops. In courses such as public debate and decision-making processes, as well as public relations and marketing in the public sphere, they learn , among other things, the intricacies of communication specific to the public sphere.

Lectures, workshops, and seminars are led by experienced researchers and practitioners from various fields of public policy.

**Students majoring in public policy acquire the skills necessary to work in: **

• local government institutions at the provincial, county, and municipal levels;
• ministries, agencies, and central government offices,
• international institutions, such as those of the European Union;
• regional and local development institutions,
• companies and corporations that perform public functions;
• agencies and departments that manage public projects;
• consulting and advisory services in the public sector;
• institutions and companies specializing in the use of European Union structural funds,
• public relations departments of public institutions and public relations agencies that provide services to the public sector;
• specialized institutions that carry out public functions (e.g., in the areas of social insurance, sectoral policies, local partnerships, and others)
• nongovernmental organizations (public benefit organizations, associations, employers’ organizations, labor unions, and others),
• international organizations,
• research and development units,
• research firms,
• think tanks;

Graduates of the program acquire theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of public policy at the local, national, and supranational levels. They learn the principles and methods for identifying and defining problems in the public sphere, as well as how to critically analyze the processes by which these problems arise and the ways to solve them. They gain knowledge of specific areas of public policy and learn about innovative policy design, strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation. Students learn the principles and acquire practical skills in managing and co-governing the public policy process, developing strategies and projects in this field, as well as understanding the mechanisms of public decision-making. Students gain knowledge of the political, social, economic, financial, and legal contexts of public policy. They acquire methodological and analytical knowledge and skills, including data analysis using modern tools.