Master in Public and Social Policies

The Master's program in Public and Social Policies (MUPPS) combines theoretical and practical elements of training to analyze the following contents:

A. Lectures
Basic Theoretical Knowledge.

• Social structure: national and regional level.
• Political structure: national and regional level.
• Economic structure: national and regional level.
• Public and social policy in OECD countries.
• Design and planning of public and social policies.
• Evaluation of public and social policies.

Basic Methodology.

• Statistical techniques of public and social policies.
• National and international information systems.
• Analysis and definition of needs and vulnerability.
• Qualitative techniques for analysis and evaluation of public and social policies.
• Statistical information sources.

Applied Knowledge.

• Public administration.
• Public finance: budgeting, contracts and accounting.
• Law.

Specialized Knowledge.
Social Security Policy.

• Pensions and other social transfers.
• Unemployment benefits.
• Survivors' and disability benefits.
• Social security in Spain, Europe, and Latin America.

Employment Policy.

• Social impact of economic and employment policy.
• Changes in world production and its impact on employment policy.
• Employment policy: evolution, direct, indirect, and social wage.
• Analysis of Active Employment Policy programs.

Labor Market Policy.

• International comparison.
• Social cohesion and competitiveness in the EU.
• Labor market performance.
• Analysis of the labor market from a legal and judicial point of view.

Social and Environmental Policy.

• Quality of workplace, unemployment, social welfare, and occupational health.
• Environment: the relationship between social and physical space.
• The city and quality of life.
• Economic globalization and its impact on cities.
• Housing policy.

Health and Public Health Policy.

• Health policy: health reforms in Spain.
• Health policy: health reforms in OECD countries.
• Public health policy in Spain.
• Public health policy in Europe.
• Public health policy in OECD countries.
• Health primary care policy.

Educational Policy.

• Educational policy in Spain and Europe.
• Primary, secondary and higher education.
• Human capital theories.

Promotion of Women's Policy and Services to Families.

• The economic, social, and political dimensions of discrimination against women.
• Programs to correct the discrimination against women: comparative analysis.
• Family policy.

Policy Programs for the Elderly and Dependents.

• Social services for the elderly and dependents.
• Health care services for the elderly and dependents.
• Quality of life for the elderly.

Prevention of Social Exclusion Policy.

• Poverty and marginalization.
• Immigration.
• Policy programs of correction of social inequalities: international comparative analysis.

Social and Community Services Policy.

• Voluntary and nonprofit organizations in social welfare.
• European social and community services policy programs.

Social Impact of Economic Policy.

• European integration and social dimensions.
• Macroeconomic policy and its impact on society.

B. Internships
The Master's fosters the active participation of the students in their own training. For this reason, it includes a period of a short internship in an organization of the Public Administration (at a local, regional or national level), in a private institution or in an NGO under the supervision and monitoring of a tutor from the hosting center, and the academic coordinator.

Participants who have completed prior practical experience or have sufficient professional experience may write a bibliographical review under the supervision of a tutor.

On the other hand, there is the possibility to enter in a long internship (six months). The participation in the internships program must be requested when applying for the pre-registration and the acceptation will depend on the number of available places and the positive report of the Director of the program.

C. Final Report
Once completing the training, based on lectures and practical experience, the participants will be required to write a final report which will consist of an analysis of the concrete social issue of their choice and the proposals to deal with it.

Click here to download the programme in PDF (in spanish)

QUALIFICATION EARNED

Master's Degree in Public and Social Policy from the UPF in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University. Participation in lectures (at least 80%) and pass marks in tests are required in order to obtain the qualification.

ACADEMIC VALUE

120 ECTS*

* European Credit Transfer System . 1 ECTS credit is equivalent to an approximated total dedication of the participant of 25 hours, including lectures and personal work.