Master of Administrative Law and Policy (MALP)

This specialist program aims to develop an understanding of the relationship between law and the analysis and implementation of public policy. The values inherent in administrative law and those of public administration are examined together with the practical aspects of the application of law. The public policy component of the course analyses the structure of the public sector and the role of government in the economy.

The program also provides knowledge of objectives associated with public policy and of appropriate methodological approaches to analysing the social and economic effects of reforms. An appreciation of the relationship between law and policy is fostered by the creation of an opportunity for public administrators specialising as lawyers or as policy analysts to learn together within the disciplines of law, government and social policy.

Program Co-ordinator

Professor Margaret Allars

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to hold an undergraduate degree or a equivalent tertiary qualification. The degree must be either in law, economics, government, social work or another relevant discipline.

Program Structure

The program requires the completion of 48 credit points, equivalent to eight units of study. The core units ensure an interdisciplinary approach. The wide-ranging electives available in the Sydney Law School, as well as the Faculty of Education and Social Work and the Faculty of Economics and Business, allow each student to construct a grouping of subjects most appropriate to developing a sophisticated appreciation of the way in which law and policy interact in particular areas of public administration.

Attendance Pattern

Each unit of study entails 26 contact hours. Units are offered on a semester length basis or intensive basis. Semester length units are taught once a week over 13 weeks on either a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening between 6pm and 8pm. Intensive units of study condense the 26 hours over a period of four to five days. The units are then taught between 9am and 5pm over a block period. For example, an intensive unit may be taught two consecutive days one week and then two consecutive days in a fortnight's time. All classes are held in the Law School or another Sydney CBD location.

Duration

Mode Timeframe
Full-time 1-3 years
Part-time 2-6 years

Units of Study

For 2009 Units of study list, please visit Units of study 2009 by alphabetical order.

Compulsory units of study 2010
Administrative Law
Legal Reasoning & the Common Law System*
Policy Making, Power & Politics (offered by the Department of Government & International Relations)
Public Policy

*Candidates without a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must undertake this unit prior to enrolling in other law units.


Candidates must complete at least 24 credit points of units of study (including compulsory units of study) offered by the Faculty of Law.

Elective Law units of study 2010
Advanced Constitutional Law
Constitutional Theory
Dispute Resolution in Australia
Drugs, Drug Policy and the Law
Environmental Impact Assessment Law
Environmental Law and Policy
Environmental Planning Law
European Human Rights Law
Government, Regulation, Health Policy & Ethics
Independent Research Project (available to eligible Master's candidates only)
Judicial Review: Principles, Policy & Procedure
Law of Tax Administration
Refugee Law
The Business of Tax Administration
The Judicial Power of the Commonwealth
Water Law

Candidates must not complete more than 24 credit points of units of study (including the compulsory unit of study) offered by other Faculties/Departments as listed below.

2010 elective units offered by the Department of Government & International Relational
Corporate Citizenship
Globalisation and Governance
Governance and Civil Society
Governance and Public Policy Making
Government and Business Ethics
International Public Management
Issues in Public Policy
Leadership in Theory and Practice
Policy Making, Power and Politics (Compulsory)

2010 elective units offered by the Faculty of Education and Social Work
Global Social Policy
Social Policy Frameworks

2010 elective units offered by the Department of Sociology and Social Policy
Citizenship Rights and Social Movements
New Debates in Social Theory
Social Policy International Perspectives

Staff

Staff teaching in this program have active research programs and publication records in administrative law and policy. Information on individual staff, their research interests and publications, may be obtained from the Our People section of the website.