The MS in Governance & Public Policy (GPP) is a degree program that includes core curriculum, elective subjects, and an internship/research thesis. The policy formulation and implementation milieu in Pakistan is facing a plethora of challenges. One of the major issues in this regard is lack of coordination and mutual support between key stakeholders such as multiple levels of government, public sector departments, civil society and social sector organizations. Academia and higher education institutes have the potential to shape and influence public policy; synergic collaboration between multiple stakeholders is indispensable for efficiency in social services delivery. Innovative evidence based research in various arenas pertaining to public policy feeds into effective governance mechanisms.

The academic facilities in Pakistan have traditionally not been very conducive for students who wish to pursue careers in public sector management and development sector. Within public sector, most of the strategic and operational positions are filled in by incumbents who are not formally qualified and/or trained for those policy-making and implementation jobs. The proposed MS GPP program aims at addressing the above-mentioned issues. It is anticipated that this program will be an effort to bridge the gap between academia and public sector organizations. The program is unique in a sense that its contents are pragmatic in nature. Upon successful completion, GPP program graduates are anticipated to be well-versed with 1) public policy dynamics in local and regional context; 2) policy formulation and execution; and 3) research skills for evidence based research and economically viable policy solutions.

Objectives of the Program

The objectives of the Program is to enable students to

1. Understand, compare and analyze various concepts, models and theoretical approaches to policy formulation and implementation
2. Apply theoretical understanding of policy formulation and policy analysis in order to generate policy advice for decision makers
3. Critically assess the applicability of theories, models and approaches in public policy management in order to address public policy issues

Eligibility Criteria for Admission

16 years of education preferably in Humanities and social sciences disciplines such as Public Administration, Politics, Law, Economics, Sociology, and Management Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Sciences, and Engineering with a 2.70 CGPA (with a minimum of 120 credit hours in bachelor’s and 60 credit hours in the Master program) or 60% aggregate marks in annual system from any HEC recognized university/institute.

Qualifying the ETS-GRE general test/NTS GAT-General/Institute’s own test or any other test required by the HEC with 50% marks and interview is mandatory for admission.

The Hafiz Quran shall be given a special credit of 20 marks.

The credit marks shall be added subject to fulfillment of basic requisite academic qualification.

Target Audience

Civil servants; graduates who wish to pursue civil service and development sector for their professional career; human resource working in social sector such as national and international NGOs and international development agencies. This is also a dependable pathway for graduates who wish to pursue their PhD degree in public policy

Mode of Studies

The MS GPP program is spread over a duration of 18 Months (Three Semesters). Minimum requirement of the program is 30 credit hours i.e. 24 credit hours for coursework and 6 credit hours for mandatory research thesis or two elective subjects as specified in HEC’s guidelines. The curriculum is divided into 4 compulsory and 4 elective subjects that are offered in the first two semesters followed by a research thesis/ two elective subjects in the third semester.

Scheme of Studies

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Core Courses

Electives