Master of Public Administration
About this program
What this degree covers and what you can expect from the university.
This full‑time English‑taught Master of Public Administration postgraduate programme is hosted by the School of Politics and Public Administration of South China Normal University. Taking public‑governance‑practice in the Guangdong‑Hong‑Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area as important practical background, this programme focuses on public‑management theory, public‑policy‑analysis, social‑governance‑innovation, public‑service‑construction and comparative‑public‑administration research. It aims to cultivate international‑oriented compound public‑management talents who master systematic public‑administration theoretical knowledge, possess public‑policy‑analysis and social‑practice‑investigation capabilities, understand the practical‑mode characteristics of Chinese public‑governance, and have global‑governance‑vision and cross‑cultural‑public‑affairs‑co‑operation consciousness. Core curriculum includes Advanced Public‑Administration Theory, Public‑Policy Analysis and Evaluation, Comparative Research on Global Governance, Social‑Governance Innovation and Public‑Service Construction, Regional‑Governance Research in Greater Bay Area, Public‑Economics Theory, Public‑Organisational‑Behaviour Research, Social‑Science‑Research‑Methods and Thesis‑Writing, and frontier academic seminars focusing on global‑publ
ic‑administration hot‑spot‑issues. Within the two‑year full‑time study cycle, students need to finish required course credits, attend academic forums, participate in social‑investigation‑practice activities arranged by the school, and complete public‑administration‑related case‑study‑training projects. Each student will receive one‑to‑one academic guidance from professional supervisors with rich research experience in public‑administration and social‑governance fields. Under supervisor’s direction, students will conduct literature‑research, policy‑case‑analysis, field‑social‑investigation, data‑sorting‑research and complete independent master‑dissertation‑research work. Applicants need to submit authenticated bachelor‑degree diploma and full academic transcript from recognised higher‑education institutions; public‑administration, sociology, law, economics or management‑related academic background is preferred for admission. Non‑native‑English applicants need to provide valid English‑proficiency certificates such as IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80; applicants with previous English‑taught full‑degree background can apply for language‑score exemption with official supporting documents after university official review. Applicants are expected to hold basic cognition of public‑affairs and social‑governance‑related theoretical knowledge. After completing all course‑assessment requirements and passing thesis defence, students will obtain official master‑degree certificate awarded by South China Normal University. Graduates can engage in international‑public‑organisation‑affairs‑operation, cross‑border‑public‑policy‑consulting, social‑governance‑research‑analysis, international‑non‑profit‑organisation‑project‑management work in global public‑policy‑research‑think‑tanks, international‑non‑government‑organisations, multinational‑enterprise public‑affairs‑departments and other international‑oriented public‑affairs‑related institutions.
Program overview
Key facts about what you will study and how the program is delivered.
Program length
Full‑time | 2 Academic Years
How long it typically takes to complete this degree from start to finish.
Language requirement
English
This program is taught in English. You may still need to submit an English proficiency test depending on your nationality and previous education.
Eligibility & requirements
Check whether your academic background matches what the university expects.
Entrance / admission test
Not required
No separate entrance test is listed for this program. The university may still review your academic profile and documents.
Admission intakes & deadlines
Application dates and milestones for each intake period. Deadlines may vary by applicant category.
September2026
Classes start September 2026
Timeline dates for this intake have not been published yet.
About the university
Learn more about the institution offering this program.