The University of Malta has several decades’ experience of teaching public administration and governance. Responsibility for organising the diploma programme in public administration passed to the Institute of Public Administration and Management in January 2000. Besides the Diploma in Public Administration (DPA), IPAM        contributes to the M.A. in Public Policy, which is offered by the Department of Public Policy at the University. 
 

Diploma in Public Administration (DPA) 

A two-year, day-release programme designed to meet the professional needs of promising,mid-career administrators who have not previously benefited from opportunities to undertake higher education. 

The programme covers four core areas of knowledge and expertise that are relevant to officials who transact public business, namely – 

· Contemporary Society 
· Governing Institutions 
· Policy 
· Public Management. 

Candidates are also required to write a 10,000 word research report under supervision. 

Candidates for the Diploma are predominantly officers in the Public Service. As the DPA covers the full scope of public administration, and as administration is an increasingly diverse field,the programme also appeals to officials of statutory authorities, local councils, other
non-departmental government bodies, as well as non-governmental organisations which work closely with public institutions. Women account for approximately half of each diploma class.
 

MA in Public Policy (Public Management Module)

Study Unit (Optional) - PAM 5000 - Comparative Public Management (ECTS Credits 20) 

Learning Objectives: 

This study area is offered by the Institute of Public Administration and Management. It should appeal particularlay to candidates who work within one of the    numerous branches of contemporary public service, including the civil service, ministers' offices,constitutional commissions, statutory corporations and other non-departmental bodies, as well as the foreign service, local goverment and international organizations such as the European Commission.

The Study area provides candidates for the degree with:

• a through understanding of fundamental ideas and issues that are current in the field of contemporary public management, in scholarly literature and in official documents;
• opportunities for problem identification, analysis and resolution; and
• command of selected public management best practices, instruments and techniques. 

Senior Management Development Programme

A modular, in-service learning experience designed to respond to needs identified by the participants themselves. It is designed and organised by the Institute and the Staff Development Organisation in the Office of the Prime Minister. 

Each cycle of the Programme consists of three modules. The first is a workshop during which participants review their performance agreements, and identify specific items of knowledge, skills or aptitudes that they consider necessary for creditable performance. This selects the agenda for the second and third modules. 

The second module consists of seminars addressing training needs identified during the first module. Recognised experts are invited to lead each session, and the participants are given an opportunity to examine case studies of good practice presented by one of their number. The intention behind this is to encourage the spread of good practice that is rooted in Maltese circumstances. 

The third module consists of a workshop or conference, which sums up and synthesises the learning experiences provided by the previous two modules, with a unifying theme as its focus. 
 

Comparative Public Management 

This is an optional study area within the course leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Public Policy, which is offered by the Department of Public Policy at the University, in collaboration with IPAM. 

Comparative Public Management provides candidates for the degree with a thorough understanding of fundamental ideas and issues that are current in the field of contemporary public management, in scholarly literature and in official documents. The course also gives opportunities for problem identification, analysis and resolution and offers training in selected  public management best practices, instruments and techniques. 

Maltese government and administration constitutes the principal interest of this study area. Local experience is placed in a comparative perspective, in which developments within the European Union and the  administrative characteristics of small states are the leading points of reference. 
 

Other  Courses 

The Institute also runs tailor-made courses to cater for specific needs, in fields such as public administration, governance and decision-making.