Undergraduate Degrees: BCA/BA in Public Policy

• Requirements for the BCA Degree in Public Policy
• Requirements for the BA Major in Public Policy
• 100-, 200- and 300-level Courses in Public Policy
• To Find Out More

Public Policy is concerned with what governments do and why they do it. It studies the relationship between government and its citizens and organisations of civil society. The term ‘policy’ includes the intention, the activity, and the result of such governmental action.

Public Policy covers:

• the objectives and content of government programmes
• how policies are made
• how policy-makers and policy outcomes are shaped by a range of ideological, institutional and environmental factors
• the processes by which policies are designed, evaluated, implemented and managed
• the monitoring of policy outcomes
• a range of different disciplines
• various qualitative and quantitative techniques 
• policy experience in a number of different countries

A further examination of public policy can be found in this Mediasite presentation of a lecture given in 2010 for the course FCOM111, Government, Law and Business.

Public Policy is available as a major for the Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (BCA) and the Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Excellent career opportunities exist for graduates with an understanding of government institutions and policy-making processes. Public sector reforms and changes in local and regional government have created a strong demand for policy advisers with analytical and managerial skills.

Public Policy courses are taught within the School of Government, Level 8, Rutherford House, 23 Lambton Quay, Wellington. For more information on our courses, contact:

Requirements for the BCA Degree in Public Policy

In addition to the BCA core, which from 2009 will consist of ACCY 111, ECON 130, FCOM 111, INFO 101, MARK 101, MGMT 101 and QUAN 102, the following are the specific requirements for a BCA major in Public Policy:

• (a) PUBL 201, two further courses from PUBL 200-299
• (b) PUBL 306, one further course from PUBL 300-399

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Requirements for the BA Major in Public Policy*

• (a) One course from (ECON 130, POLS 111, PUBL 113)*
• (b) PUBL 201, 40 further points from PUBL 200-299
• (c) PUBL 306, 20 further points from PUBL 300-399

* Or an approved equivalent or higher-level course in one of these subject areas

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100-, 200- and 300-level Courses in Public Policy

For a complete list of our 100-, 200- and 300-level courses in Public Policy, visit our Courses Offered page.

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To find out more

Victoria's Student Recruitment, Admission and Orientation office offers advice on courses for prospective students and help with planning your degree.

Current students should contact the Faculty of Commerce and Administration Student and Academic Services Office for information on admission, qualifications and papers, course advice and selection criteria, exemptions and prerequisites.

For enrolment questions and information, contact:

Faculty of Commerce and Administration
Student and Academic Services
Level 1, Railway West Wing
Pipitea Campus
23 Lambton Quay
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington

Phone: (04) 463 5376
Email: address

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