Public Administration and Organizational Science

The programme takes two years to complete and you earn 60 ECTS per year. A two-year programme is necessary in order to meet the requirements of the Research Master’s Programme in the field of Public Administration and Organizational Science, theoretical competence and methodological expertise leading up to a research project, and a master’s thesis that complies with the standards of an international publication.

Are you interested in gaining in-depth knowledge of Public Administration and Organizational Science and is research especially appealing to you? Then the Master's Programme ‘Research in Public Administration and Organizational Science’ is the thing for you. During this Master’s Programme you can prepare for a PhD programme but you can also choose to become a research trainee. Is researching in your blood? Then this Master’s Programme will suit you perfectly.

The Research Master’s Programme includes three core course components: Firstly, there are course components for the core theoretical themes in the field of Public Administration and of Organizational Science. Secondly, there are course components for advanced methodological study in the field of Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics and in the field of Methods of Research. The third course component involves policy research-oriented or more fundamental, theory-oriented scientific research that you prepared for during the above mentioned theoretical and methodological course components. In case you choose for policy research-oriented research, you will enter the track that leads through all the phases of contract research; this track is concluded with a research report. If you choose for fundamental research, you will be required to carry out research with a more theoretical or more empirical emphasis. This track is concluded with an article and a research proposal that could form the basis for PhD research.

 

First year

• Core themes and modern classics Public Administration
• Core themes and modern classics Public Management and Organizational Science
• Philosophy of Science

• Research Methods: Design
• Research Methods: Planning
• Research Methods: Reception

• Advanced thematic course: Multilevel Governance
• Advanced thematic course: Multiculturality and Multiformity
• Advanced thematic course: State and Network Society
• Advanced thematic course: Public Management Reform, Public Service Motivation and Personnel Policies

Second year

Advanced thematic course, options:

• Normative Policy Analysis
• Public Management
• HRM and Personnel
• International Comparative Constitutional Law
• Management of Information and Knowledge
• European Programme Management and Evaluation

Research Methods: Specialties, combinations of:

• Case Study Research
• Content Analysis
• Introduction to Survey Design and Multivariate Data Analysis
• Games and Simulations for Research and Policy Support
• Qualitative interviewing for Political Research and Policy Analysis
• Introduction to Network Analysis
• Fieldwork Methodology

The Research and Master’s thesis track

• Thesis Track Part A: Research Plan and Data Collection
• Research Seminar Part 1: Research Design
• Research Seminar Part 2: Research Planning
• Thesis Track Part B: writing the thesis and preparing for graduation
• Research Seminar Part 3: Research Reception

An Admissions Committee assesses candidates on the basis of a portfolio submitted by the candidates. The portfolio contains proof of their knowledge and skills in Public Administration and Organizational Science, of Research Methods including research projects completed (please note: demonstrating affinity with and proven quality in the field of research skills), and relevant extra-curricular experience (e.g. trainee/work experience with a research agency, experience with project management). Besides, the Admissions Committee will require a letter of motivation in which the candidates motivate their application. It should include a research proposal that the candidate would like to specify in more detail on admission. An intake interview is part of the selection procedure for students living in the Netherlands.
Suitable candidates holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and Organizational Science of Utrecht University and/or a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration of Tilburg University and/or a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration of Erasmus University, Rotterdam, will be given precedence.

This Master’s Programme prepares you for an academic career in the field of Public Administration and Organizational Science (e.g. a PhD programme or as research trainee at a university or academic institute). Alternatively, you could embark on a career as researcher with a Dutch or international research institute, a professional organization or government institution, or take up a research-oriented policy position with a (semi-)government organization or an organization with a public function.