In 2009, a new flexible master in public management and governance was launched in Denmark. The Master of Public Governance (MPG) is an executive master degree, and the Copenhagen MPG programme is administered by Copenhagen Business School (CBS) and the University of Copenhagen in a joint consortium. Additionally, Aalborg University is a partner of the consortium. In 2009, the consortium has been accredited by the Danish Accreditation Council to run the flexible master in public management and governance.

About the MPG

The programme was initiated as part of the Danish government’s “Quality Reform” for public management and governance, and the programme has received a grant-in-aid of 75 million DKK spread over a three year period. The financial support is used for public managers who attend the programme. Currently, 250 executive master students are enrolled making it the biggest programme of its kind in Denmark.

The programme tackles many of the same issues as other master programmes within the area of public management and governance, however, flexibility is a key issue which means that the programme can be customized to suit each student’s need both in time (study of period is 2-6 years) and in terms of structure. Furthermore, the MPG programme focuses very much on personal leadership development.

Why a MPG-degree?

 

The objective of the MPG programme is to qualify and develop the public manager’s professional management in a political and public context in order to strengthen the manager’s competence to reflect upon and further develop his or her own management practice. With a MPG-degree you will obtain a fundamental understanding of the context and the strategic possibilities that exist for you as a public manager, and you will develop your personal leadership competences.

The executive education is based on cutting-edge research building on your already achieved skills as a public manager and allows you to update and further develop your management capacity. You will study in an environment of trained university teachers who are used to educate experienced managers. You will meet peers from other public organizations which will provide you with a solid personal network.

The content of the MPG

The MPG programme differs from other Danish master programmes due to the flexibility and focus on personal leadership of managers. It consists of 2 introductory courses (10 ECTS), 4 core modules (20 ECTS) 3-6 electives (18 ECTS), and a master project (12 ECTS). The core curriculum is devoted to the main issues and leading topics in the academic field of public management and governance.

The MPG is a part time module-based programme which comprises of 60 ECTS points (European Credit Transfer System) equivalent to one year full time study. The recommended period of study is 2-6 years.

The introductory modules are:

· Introductory public management class

· Personal development class

The core modules are (choose 4 out of 6):

· Strategic Management in a Governance Perspective

· Strategic HRM in Modern Work Life

· Personal Leadership and Coaching

· Leading Reform and Change

· Communication and Management

· Public Governance

The electives vary from each semester. For the autumn semester 2010, we offer Strategic Change Management in the Public Sector as an English module.

Admission

To be accepted to the MPG-programme applicants must

- hold a bachelor´s degree (in, for example, political science, law, economics)

- hold a professional bachelor (in, for example, education, nursing, social services)

- have a diploma degree in management

Furthermore, applicants must have at least two years of work experience including management experience. In case of more qualified applicants than the programme can take in, applicants will be admitted on a first-come first-serve basis.

 

Application Procedure

Admissions take place every six months. For the spring semester, deadline for application is normally at the beginning of November and for the autumn semester, deadline for application is normally at the beginning of May. Applicants must fill in a form and submit before the final deadline. You will be informed whether you have been accepted usually within 1½ month after deadline.

Faculty & Staff

The faculty consists of experienced teachers and professors from

· Copenhagen Business School

· University of Copenhagen

· Aalborg University

Executive students will also meet external lecturers, consultants, distinguished public managers, guest professors and international guest speakers from other universities. The programme emphasizes the international perspective of both European and global challenges within public management and governance. Consequently, the programme is currently in close cooperation with the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin and Warwick University’s Institute of Public Management and Governance.

The current Study Director is Professor Carsten Greve, Copenhagen Business School.

The current Vice Study Director is Professor Gunnar Gjelstrup, University of Copenhagen.

The MPG programme is administered by the CBS’s Executive master programme area.

For further information about the MPG, please send an email to mpg@cbs.dk or call us at +45 3815 3633.

Brochure and application forms

The MPG brochure is currently only available in Danish. If you would like a copy, please use the electronic form on your right or send us an email at mpg@cbs.dk

 

 

 

Prices and funding

Each module is priced differently due to different work load and attendance.

· Introductory Public Management (23,000 DKK)

· Personal Development Course (13,500 DKK per semester, 27,000 in total)

· Core modules (17,000 DKK)

· Electives (10,000 - 20,000 DKK)

· Master project (24,000 DKK)

Prices are subject to change within the period of study.

Additional costs for study materials (books etc) and hotels are not included in the above prices.

The Danish Ministry of Finance administers the financial assistance to Danish government managers (in central government, regions and local governments) as agreed by the Danish Parliament. The Danish government managers are eligible for a refund once the fee has been paid. The current financial aid is 2,000 DKK for each ECTS point (for example a 3 ECTS module activates 6000 DKK in government aid).

 

  

FAQ

What makes the programme special?

The program tackles many of the same issues as other master programmes within the area of public management and governance, but emphasizes flexibility and focus on the personal leadership development of the participants. The rest of the core curriculum is devoted to the main issues and leading topics in the academic field of public management and governance.

Who are behind the Copenhagen MPG-degree?

Copenhagen Business School and the University of Copenhagen are the two main partners in the consortium. From Copenhagen Business School, the most involved institutes and centers are Institute of Management, Politics and Philosophy and the International Center for Business and Politics. At the University of Copenhagen, the institutes represented are the Department of Political Science, Institute of Psychology and the Institute of Sports.

Why was the programme initaited?

The MPG programme emerged from the keen interest that the Danish government – and Parliament had about developing the competences of public managers within the Danish public sector including central government, the 5 regional governments, and the 98 local governments. The finances for the programme are based on the Danish government’s “”Quality reform”, a big (by Danish standards) public management reform programme. Legislation for the “Quality reform” was passed by the Danish Parliament in 2008. As part of this reform, the government allocated 75 million DKK specifically to a new flexible master in public management and governance.

Who else provides an MPG-degree in Denmark?

Two consortia where accredited by the Danish Accreditation Council in 2009. A “West consortium” consisting of Aarhus University and University of Southern Denmark, and an “East consortium” consisting of Copenhagen Business School and University of Copenhagen together with Aalborg University. So far, most students in the Greater Copenhagen Area attend the Copenhagen consortium classes while students in Jutland and Funen attend the Aarhus and Southern Denmark classes.

 

Contact

Questions regarding the MPG-programme in Copenhagen can be addressed to tel: + 45 3815 3633 or email: mpg@cbs.dk .