The Department offers a number of degree programmes in the broad area of public and social administration.
The BSocSc (Hons) Policy Studies and Administration provides a solid foundation education to students who are interested in critical analysis of policy and management studies. The programme covers conceptual issues in policy studies and administration, while drawing empirically on practices in Hong Kong, China and the wider global scene. The programme’s international perspective is enhanced through exchange programmes with overseas institutions.
The BSocSc (Hons) Administration and Public Management is a top-up programme specifically designed for associate degree and higher diploma graduates and similarly qualified persons to further their studies. It aims to broaden and deepen knowledge of administration and public management, as well as critical analysis. Graduates are expected to fill a wide range of management positions in the public and private sectors.
The Department also provides a self-financing part-time BA (Hons) Housing Studies for those who wish to become professionally qualified as housing managers. The programme was launched in 1998-99, and since then has built up a reputation for providing a strong mix of academic and vocational training to housing managers. This programme has full professional accreditation.
At the postgraduate level, the Department offers a self-financing part-time MA in Public Policy and Management. The MA programme stimulates students to reflect upon important issues such as the changing nature of the policy process, the shifting features of public management, and the ethos of public service in the twenty-first century. It draws heavily on practical experience in Hong Kong, mainland China and other Asian societies, such as Singapore and Taiwan, while also considering the latest international developments.
The second postgraduate level self-financing programme MA in Housing Studies, which offered in combined mode, is specifically designed for general degree holders who work in the field of housing and property management. Given the increasing challenges of the housing management profession, the programme aims at equipping students with the most up to date theoretical and practical knowledge. This taught master’s programme is characterized by an emphasis on the ability of each student to reflect and utilize his/her own professional experiences for creative purposes. Key features of the programme include a capstone project, a reflective study tour and a management residential. The programme has already received professional recognition from Hong Kong and the UK professional housing institutes.
In addition, the Department admits students to undertake MPhil and PhD research degrees. The expertise and research interests of our staff extend across the general areas of China studies, public management, public policy, politics and international affairs, as well as philosophy and ethics.
The BSocSc (Hons) in Environmental Policy Studies will be launched in 2009-10. The 3-year honours degree provides students with academic and professional training in the disciplines of policy and government as they relate to the natural and built environments. It offers a new generation of policy makers an opportunity to understand the nature of environmental problems and to translate them into appropriate and well-communicated policies. The programme is jointly taught by faculty, who are highly regarded scholars with extensive international and professional links, from the Departments of Public and Social Administration, Asian and International Studies, and Biology and Chemistry. Admission to this programme is expected to be highly competitive.