MASTER'S PROGRAM IN PUBLIC POLICY
Introduction
Master’s Program in Public Policy at Vietnam Japan University aims to cultivate critical thinking and essential skills for identifying, evaluating, and analyzing policy issues. It prepares students to actively participate in, organize, and enhance policy processes, emphasizing sustainable development within the context of global integration. Focusing on sustainable development, the program integrates two core pillars: economics and regional and urban development. Its design considers the unique characteristics and demands of an internationally connected and regionally integrated economy. It is designed to achieve the following:
- Knowledge: Provide students with in-depth and interdisciplinary knowledge in both theory and practice in the field of public policy.
- Skills: Train students with the necessary cognitive, executive, and personal management skills in the field of public policy.
- Autonomy and responsibility capacity: Develop good ethics and attitude, high responsibility and creativity among learners, who are aware of the role and impact of public policy on socio-economic actors and the responsibilities of public policy makers, managers and experts and researchers.
With the mission of providing high-quality researchers and human resources for enterprises, that are well-prepared with professional knowledge and competency, have enough well-trained skills to be able to function well in the knowledge-based and dynamics environment, adapt well to the demands of not only Vietnam’s society but also Asian area and the world, MPP program has developed an educational philosophy as follows:
- Educational Philosophy: Toward a liberal art education that emphasizes sustainable development based on an interdisciplinary approach and the combination of practice and theory.
- Slogan: Better policies for better life.
- Mission: Provide high quality human resource and conduct excellent research in the field of public policy.
- Vision: Become a leading training program in the field of public policy
- Program Duration: 24 months
- Training Method: Part-time
- Degree Awarded: Master of Public Policy
- Teaching Languages: The program is taught in English except for the following 2 modules: Philosophy (in Vietnamese), Japanese language (in Vietnamese and Japanese). Graduation thesis written and defended in English
- Location: Vietnam Japan University, My Dinh Campus
CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Graduates of the program have the ability to satisfy the employment requirements in domestic and foreign agencies, organizations, and enterprises. Some positions can take on such as:
- Policy analysts, researchers, and policy makers in State management agencies from central to local, international and non-governmental organizations.
- Researchers and lecturers at research institutions and universities at home and abroad, specializing in development and public policy.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PROGRAM
- A high-quality program, based on the curriculum of the University of Tsukuba, modified to meet the requirements of the Vietnam context;
- An international academic environment with lecturers from Japan, state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities to collaborate on projects with renowned professors;
- Substantially subsidized tuition fees; scholarships for outstanding students;
- Opportunities for excellent students to take a short-term internship in Japan with a fully covered cost;
- Modern knowledge and skills in a multicultural context, with a particular focus on Japanese practices;
- Competency applying for jobs at global job marketing including Vietnam and Japan.
COORDINATING UNIVERSITY
University of Tsukuba
The University of Tsukuba, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, is one of the country’s leading research institutions. Established in 1973, it is known for its innovative approach to education and its emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. The university offers a wide range of programs across sciences, humanities, and social sciences, fostering global collaboration and academic excellence. With state-of-the-art facilities and a diverse international community, Tsukuba University is committed to advancing knowledge and contributing to society through cutting-edge research and education.
PROGRAM MESSAGES
Dr. Nguyen Thuy Anh
Program director
“The MPP at VJU is an international quality program, based on the curriculum of the University of Tsukuba, and has been tailored to meet the conditions and needs of Vietnam. The program is taught in English, with more than half of the lecturers from leading universities in Japan. Besides, students will have opportunities to gain practical knowledge and experience through a talk series in which invited guest speakers are senior leaders, experts, and entrepreneurs from the academic, public, and private sectors. Graduates of the MPP are not only ready to take on leadership roles and managerial positions at Vietnamese, Japanese, and international institutions and governmental organizations, but they will also have the competency and eligibility to further their education and research in doctoral programs in this field.”
Prof. Dr. Naohisa Okamoto
University of Tsukuba
Program Co-Director
“The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is a two-year program that integrates effective theory and practice with the aim of formulating a framework for sustainable development. As part of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary programs at Vietnam Japan University, the MPP Program prepares students with a deep knowledge and understanding of the complexity and challenges of public policy, its formulation, implementation, and evaluation. with an emphasis on the connection between economies, industries, and national and regional developments. and international relations. The Program also equips students with a set of analytical tools and essential skills necessary to be more effective policymakers and social leaders who have not only a sustainable vision but also the capacity to find and solve problems, as well as take the lead in achieving this vision. Those participating in the program will have the opportunity to strengthen their theoretical knowledge and practical skills through hands-on projects and policy-oriented internships at domestic and international governmental, non-governmental, or private organizations. Graduates of the MPP Program are not only ready to take on leadership roles and managerial positions at Vietnamese, Japanese, and international institutions and governmental organizations, but they will also have the competency and eligibility to further their education and research on doctoral programs in this field.”
CURRICULUM
The curriculum consists of a total of 62 credits, including core courses in fundamental and professional knowledge, as well as elective courses in each specified field.
Curriculum for MPP Program
| No. | Course code | Course name | Number of credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | BLOCK 1 - GENERAL KNOWLEDGE | ||
| 1 | PHI5002 | Philosophy Triết học |
4 |
| 2 | ENG5001 | English B2 (Postgraduate) Ngoại ngữ B2 (SĐH) |
5 |
| II | BLOCK 2 - FUNDAMENTAL AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE | ||
| II.1 | Fundamental Knowledge | ||
| 3 | VJU6001 | Basic of Sustainability Science Cơ sở khoa học bền vững |
3 |
| 4 | VJU6002 | Methodology and Informatics for Sustainable Science Phương pháp luận và Hệ thống thông tin cho Khoa học bền vững |
3 |
| 5 | VJU5004 | Japanese Language Beginner Tiếng Nhật cơ bản |
2 |
| 6 | VJU5010 | Japanese Language Upper Tiếng Nhật nâng cao |
2 |
| II.2 | Specialized Knowledge | ||
| II.2.1 | Compulsory | ||
| 7 | MPP6001 | Microeconomics for Public Policy Kinh tế vi mô cho chính sách công |
2 |
| 8 | MPP6002 | Macroeconomics for Public Policy Kinh tế vĩ mô cho chính sách công |
2 |
| 9 | MPP6003 | Public Policy Analysis Phân tích chính sách công |
3 |
| 10 | MPP6004 | Quantitative Analysis for Public Policy Phân tích định lượng cho chính sách công |
3 |
| II.2.2 | Elective | ||
| 11 | MPP6013 | Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Chính sách nông nghiệp và phát triển nông thôn |
3 |
| 12 | MPP6008 | Development Finance Tài chính phát triển |
3 |
| 13 | MPP6009 | Econometrics Kinh tế lượng |
3 |
| 14 | MPP6010 | Economics and Policy of Urban and Regional Development Kinh tế học và chính sách cho phát triển đô thị và vùng |
3 |
| 15 | MPP6014 | Education Policy Chính sách giáo dục |
3 |
| 16 | MPP6015 | International Political Economy Kinh tế chính trị quốc tế |
3 |
| 17 | VJU5100 | Japanese Language I Tiếng Nhật I |
2 |
| 18 | VJU5101 | Japanese Language II Tiếng Nhật II |
2 |
| 19 | MPP6007 | Leadership Lãnh đạo |
2 |
| 20 | MCE6020 | Principle and Method of Performance Evaluation Nguyên lý và phương pháp đánh giá hoạt động |
3 |
| 21 | MPP6011 | Social Welfare Policy Chính sách phúc lợi xã hội |
2 |
| 22 | MCE6004 | Transportation Planning and Policy Quy hoạch và chính sách giao thông |
3 |
| II.2.3 | Series of Guest Speakers | ||
| III | BLOCK 3 - SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH | ||
| 23 | VJU7200 | Academic English and Research Skills Tiếng Anh học thuật và kỹ năng nghiên cứu |
2 |
| 24 | VJU7201 | Statistics for Social Sciences Thống kê cho Khoa học xã hội |
2 |
| 25 | MPP6016 | Research Methodology Phương pháp nghiên cứu |
3 |
| 26 | MPP6200 | Research Internship Thực tập nghiên cứu |
4 |
| 27 | MPP7001 | Master's Thesis Luận văn thạc sĩ |
14 |
| Total credits required to complete MPP program | 62 | ||
CONTACT
Nguyen Thi Huong, (Ms.)
Faculty Assistant (MBA & MPP Programs)
Faculty of Interdisciplinary Social Science
VNU-HN, Vietnam-Japan University
Email: nt.huong1@vju.ac.vn
Office 1: Room 308, 3rd floor, VJU, Hoa Lac Campus
Add: Thach Hoa, Thach That, Hanoi
Office 2: Room 602, 6th floor, VJU, My Dinh Campus
Add: Luu Huu Phuoc Street, My Dinh 1 Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES OF MPP PROGRAM
1. 1. Knowledge
- 1.1.1 General knowledge
| PLO1 | Accumulate and apply general knowledge on principles of political economy and philosophy in public policy analysis. |
| PLO2 | Apply the general knowledge and methodologies to analyze practical problems in an interdisciplinary approach, adapted for sustainable development at a local, national, and global scale. |
| PLO3 | Apply fundamental knowledge blocks such as economics for public policy, public policy analysis (theory and applications), policy-making process, and sustainable development to analyze public policies. |
- 1.1.2. Professional knowledge
| PLO4 | Analyze and evaluate specialized public policies by applying specialized knowledge such as economics development, urban and regional development policies and social welfare policy. |
- 1.1.3 Requirement for the graduation dissertation
| PLO4 | Apply specific and relevant methodologies such as empirical methods and impact assessment in evaluating public policy. |
1.2. Skills
- 1.2.1 Advanced skills
| PLO6 | Demonstrate the ability to manipulate analysis skills, analytical methods to answer different kinds of policy questions. |
| PLO7 | Demonstrate the ability to solve public policy problems using quantitative and qualitative research methods and critical thinking, effectively interpret, present, and communicate results. |
| PLO8 | Demonstrate the ability to articulate teamwork skill in works related to public policy such as public policy analysis, evaluation, planning, formulation, and implementation. |
| PLO9 | Demonstrate the ability to manipulate research skills for independent and original research in the field of public policy. |
- 1.2.2 Other skills
| PLO10 | Articulate soft skills to self-direct and adapt to competitive working environments such as problem-solving, time management, teamwork, and presentation skills; proficient media literacy skills and ability to work independently. |
| PLO11 | Articulate English skills (at level 4/6 according to English competencies Framework for Vietnam). |
| PLO12 | Manipulate Japanese culture, business manners, and academic style. |
1.3 Autonomy and responsibility capacity
| PLO13 | Demonstrate critical thinking, creativity, dynamic, confidence, flexibility, self-motivation, and self-control. |
| PLO11 | Articulate English skills (at level 4/6 according to English competencies Framework for Vietnam). |
| PLO15 | Value patriotism, self-respect, response to the community, self-discipline, moral values, constitution and laws. |
