Master's Thesis in Public Administration (full-time)

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/S_MTBK18VT

Course Objective

The master thesis Public Administration completes the master program. With the master thesis we want students to apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired during their master studies in an integrated and relatively independent manner in their own empirical research and the scientific report about this study. The learning objectives of the master thesis are based on the final objectives of the master degree in Public Administration and are therefore the following: Knowledge and insight
- The student has knowledge of and insight into: 1. the most important debates, approaches, concepts and theories in public administration in relation to the chosen specialization and the subject of the master thesis research; 2. the relevance and applicability of the most important methods and techniques of research in the field of public administration, in particular in relation to the subject of the master thesis research; 3. depending on the chosen specialization, the most important social developments that influence public administration in the areas of (a) quality of administration, (b) governance of security, (c) governance of care innovation or (d) artificial intelligence and governance. Skills
- The student is able to: 4. analyze and critically assess current and important issues in the public domain from multiple empirical and action-oriented perspectives, both independently and in collaboration with others; 5. design, conduct and critically evaluate independent empirical research, in particular on a topic within the area of the chosen specialization; 6. communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with various stakeholders about analyses, and to formulate substantiated advice on the course of action to be followed; Attitude
- The student demonstrates: 7. intellectual integrity and the willingness to evaluate and take responsibility for one's own learning process, especially in one's academic role(s); 8. a critical attitude towards public administration (research) literature, in particular with regard to the literature for the subject of the master thesis research; 9. an open, reflexive and independent attitude towards different descriptive and normative views on the subject of the master thesis research.

Course Content

The master thesis concludes the master program in Public Administration. It is an aptitude test with which the student shows that he or she is able to set up and carry out scientific research relatively independently and report on it in a good academic tone and responsibly. For the master thesis, each student conducts independent empirical research under the supervision of a VU lecturer and reports on this in a scientific thesis that is published through the VU University Library system. In principle, every student conducts a master thesis research within the context of a thesis working group. Well before the start of the thesis project, the range of thesis groups will be announced on Canvas and an information lecture will take place.

Teaching Methods

One introductory lecture in January 2025 for the composition of the thesis groups, a lecture on methods & techniques of public administration research and knowledge clips, working groups led by thesis supervisors.

Method of Assessment

The final grade for this course is structured as follows: · Active participation: Completed · Research proposal
- individual: Completed . Presenting research proposal
- individual: Completed . Presenting graduation research
- individual: Completed · Master thesis (final work)
- individual: 100%

Literature

Will be announced in due course in the theme working groups (see Canvas).

Target Audience

Master students in Public Administration, specialization: Artificial Intelligence and Management

Custom Course Registration

The master’s thesis has the period ‘academic year’ for administrative reasons, but there is only one starting moment per academic year, as indicated in the year schedule (study guide) and correspondence from the master’s thesis coordinator. It is not possible to start the master’s thesis during other periods. In this course, you cannot enroll for one of the study groups yourself, but you will be assigned by the course coordinator. The allocation will be announced via Canvas. Please note: You do have to register for the course and the other course components on VU.nl.

Entry Requirements

After obtaining 18 EC of the courses from the previous programme. Determination whether this requirement has been met takes place after the announcement of results of the first examination opportunity of period 2.