MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAM IN PUBLIC POLICY (RESEARCH ORIENTATION)

Issued pursuant to Decision No. 1473/QD-XHNV dated March 19, 2026, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities

PART I: GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE TRAINING PROGRAM

1. Some information about the training program

- Program name:

+ Vietnamese: Public Policy

+ English: Public Policy

- Name of the training program:

+ Vietnamese: Public Policy

+ English: Public Policy

- Training program code: 8340402

- Language of instruction:Vietnamese

- Standard training duration:2 years

- Name of the degree awarded after graduation:

+ Vietnamese: Master's degree in Public Policy

+ English: The Degree of Master in Public Policy

1. Objectives of the training program

1.1. General Objectives

The Master's degree program in Public Policy aims to provide students with in-depth knowledge of public policy, interdisciplinary social sciences and humanities, with a research orientation; advanced skills, methods, and capabilities in modern public policy research to enhance research capacity, innovation, analysis, and problem-solving in public policy. This serves the purpose of training high-quality, highly skilled, creative, and knowledge-disseminating human resources, contributing to national development, defense, and international integration. Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge and innovative skills to adapt to and meet professional demands, develop their skills, continue to improve their qualifications, and engage in lifelong learning after graduation.

1.2. Specific Objectives

- Specific Objective 1(O1): The training program provides interdisciplinary foundational knowledge in social sciences and humanities, systematically and broadly systematizing knowledge of modern public policy theory and new public policy research methods.

- Specific Objective 2(O2): A training program to develop the capacity to creatively apply management theories and advanced research methods to effectively identify, analyze, and solve practical problems in several key areas of public policy.

- Specific Objective 3(O3): The training program helps learners develop the qualities of a public policy expert, continuously learn and improve their knowledge, and proactively and creatively apply their knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems in different work environments.

2. Admission Information

2.1. Admission method:

Admission is based on the regulations of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi).

2.2. Eligibility Criteria

2.2.1. Regarding qualifications

- Applicants must possess a university degree in a relevant field with a GPA of at least "good" or have published scientific papers related to their chosen field of study. If applicants require supplementary courses, these must be completed before applying, and applicants must have one year of experience in the field of study, calculated from the date of their university graduation to the date of application.

- Diplomas issued by foreign educational institutions must undergo recognition procedures in accordance with the current regulations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

2.2.2. Regarding foreign language proficiency

- Possess foreign language proficiency (in one of the following languages: English, Russian, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean) meeting the requirements of the training program at level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam. Foreign language proficiency can be demonstrated through one of the following diplomas or certificates:

+ A university degree or higher in a foreign language; or a university degree or higher where the program is primarily conducted in a foreign language;

+ A university degree or higher awarded by Vietnam National University, Hanoi, within the last two years, where the program's output meets the requirements of level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam;

+ A foreign language certificate equivalent to level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam; or equivalent, valid for 2 years from the date of the foreign language exam to the date of registration for the master's program, issued by institutions accepted by the Ministry of Education and Training and Vietnam National University, Hanoi. The head of the training unit or the Rector of the University of Foreign Languages ​​will assess and be responsible for the authenticity of foreign language certificates issued by foreign organizations before recognizing their equivalence.

- Applicants who are foreign citizens and register for master's programs taught in Vietnamese must have a Vietnamese language proficiency level of at least Level 4 according to the Vietnamese Language Proficiency Framework for Foreigners, or have graduated from a university (or equivalent qualification or higher) where the training program is taught in Vietnamese; and meet the requirements for a second foreign language as stipulated by the training program (if any).

2.2.3. Other requirements

- Must have a clean personal record, not currently serving a legal penalty at the level of a warning or higher, not currently serving a criminal sentence, as confirmed by the human resources department of the workplace or the local government where the individual resides.

- I am healthy enough to study.

- Meet other conditions (if any) as required by VNU, for each admission year.

2.3. List of suitable industries

- Fields of study within the same field as the training program;

- The field of study is defined in the training program standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training;

- For cases where there are no established training program standards for the corresponding field or group of disciplines, the specialized unit must have a scientific and practical basis, determined by the Scientific and Training Council of the specialized unit and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, to identify the discipline with the closest professional foundation to the training program and determine the corresponding supplementary courses (if needed); report to VNU before enrollment and be responsible for this professional evaluation.

2.4. Projected enrollment size:

- According to the quota allocated annually by Vietnam National University, Hanoi (expected 15 students/year).

- The detailed admission plan will be implemented in accordance with the Admission Regulations, the annual postgraduate admission guidelines of VNU, and the admission scheme of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities approved by VNU (if any).

PART II: LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM

1. Knowledge Output Standards 

PLO 1.Analyze theoretical and practical issues in the field of public policy based on knowledge of philosophical worldview and methodology.

PLO 2.A systematic and in-depth analysis of issues in policy practice.

PLO 3Assess the structure and operating mechanisms of the relevant public policy system in order to propose solutions for improvement.

2. Skill Output Standards

PLO 4.Proficiently combine methods, approaches, and skills to directly support public policy analysis and several related policy areas.

PLO 5.Communicating knowledge and research results to diverse audiences through clear and understandable spoken and written forms, meeting the requirements of digital transformation and international integration.

PLO 6.Proficiently using a foreign language at a level equivalent to Level 4 of the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam (B2 CEFR) to research professional documents, write scientific reports, and present and discuss specialized issues.

2. Output standards regarding the level of autonomy and responsibility

PLO 7:To provide expert assessments, recommendations, and advice in professional activities or career-related activities that apply knowledge of public policy.

PLO 8:Adapting to diverse work environments through proactive and continuous learning to improve skills, the ability to work independently and mentor others, and the ability to evaluate and improve work quality based on acquired knowledge and skills in public policy and interdisciplinary fields.

4. Job positions that students can take on after graduation.

After graduating from the Master's program in Public Policy, students can use the knowledge and skills acquired to work in a variety of different positions:

- Teaching and research at higher education institutions and scientific research institutes in the fields of management and policy;

- Working in central-level ministries, departments, and agencies (Party and State agencies, socio-political organizations) or at the local level related to management and policy fields;

- Working in public service organizations, political organizations, socio-political organizations, and professional social organizations with functions of analyzing, advising, consulting, evaluating, and critically reviewing policies…

- Working in businesses (state-owned enterprises), international organizations with jobs related to policy and management…

5. Opportunities for further learning and professional development after graduation.

- Capable of independently researching and solving problems arising in practical work at their agency, unit, or workplace; capable of self-learning, self-research, and practicing theory and practice related to the field of management and policy; After graduating from the Master's Program in Public Policy, students can continue their studies in the Doctoral Program in Public Policy, or in management-administration fields in Vietnam or abroad, or pursue in-depth research overseas.

PART III: TRAINING PROGRAM CONTENT

Note:One credit is equivalent to 50 hours of student-standard learning, including time spent observing lectures, guided lessons, self-study, research, experiences, and participating in tests and assessments; for classroom teaching activities, one credit requires a minimum of 15 hours of lectures or 30 hours of practical work, experiments, and discussions, with one classroom hour counted as 50 minutes.

(1): Theory

(2): Practice, Experiment, Discussion

(3): Internship, Research, Self-study with assessment