Doctorate in Governance (DGov)
Doctorate in Governance (DGov)
The DGov is a professional doctoral programme offered jointly by the IPA and Queens University Belfast. The award is made by Queens University. The programme provides public policy-makers and public sector managers with the advanced knowledge and high-level critical skills that their professional lives demand. It offers participants the opportunity to explore how public policy-making has evolved, and is continuing to evolve, as a result of changes in the structure and practices of the modern state. The programme will enable policy-makers to gain a comprehensive understanding of issues and patterns of governance in Ireland, Great Britain and the rest of Europe. It comprises the study of six modules and the preparation of a research project on an agreed subject of the participant’s choosing.
Key Attributes
- The DGov programme:
- Provides a unique curriculum of leading-edge, doctoral level education
- Is delivered under the direction of an international team of acknowledged academics and practitioners
- Focuses on applying academic understandings and skills to professional practice
- Facilitates research into, and debate on, key issues affecting policy-makers
- Creates opportunities to develop inter-jurisdiction networks
- Involves residential study sessions to facilitate learning and esprit de corps among participants and teaching staff
- Includes a doctoral research project on a subject of the participant’s choice
- Provides extensive participant support, including an induction workshop, personal tutor and progress tutorials at each study session
Programme Content
Years One and Two
The first two years of the programme are devoted to the study of the following modules:
- The Changing Role of the Nation State
- Modernisation: Government and Democracy
- The Internationalisation of Legal Frameworks
- Citizenship and Legitimacy
- Economics and Governance
- Evaluation and Governance
Years Three and Four
The second two years of the programme are devoted to a research project of 50,000 words on an agreed subject of the participant’s choosing. A module on Research Methods and Design is also provided.
Programme Delivery and Evaluation
The DGov is a four-year programme available through part-time study. It is delivered by means of directed study, followed by a research project on a subject relevant to the participant’s work experience and professional formation. Participants can pursue the programme no matter where they live or work but must attend a number of intensive weekend, residential study sessions which are scheduled between Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Evaluation is based on the standard of assignment papers prepared by participants under the direction of the tutors responsible for the different programme modules.
Residential Study Sessions
These sessions comprise lectures, seminars and workshops, and are scheduled over three days for each module. They take place either in Belfast or Dublin. The sessions provide participants with the opportunity to compare and exchange best-practice experience and construct inter-jurisdiction networks. Students will use the IPA and Queens University libraries and the Queens University On-line system.
Participant Profile
The DGov programme attracts participants from the civil service, local government service, health services, security services, other state services and the voluntary sector in Ireland, Great Britain and the rest of Europe. Applicants should normally possess a primary degree, or equivalent qualification, of at least upper second class honours (2.1) standard and have at least five years’ full-time work experience at an appropriate level in a relevant public service profession. Interviews may be held to assess the suitability of applicants.
Students who already possess an MA (from the IPA or from another recognised institution) can take a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in one of six subject areas: public management, healthcare management, local government management, criminal justice, financial management, and human resource management.
Fees, Enrolment Procedures and Admissions
The IPA’s Postgraduate Brochure provides all this information. Click here
Read the Brochure
Apply now (PDF Application Form)
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57-61 Lansdowne Road
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Tel: +353 1 240 3600
Fax: +353 1 668 9135
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Clonskeagh, Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 240 3600
Fax: +353 1 269 8644
Registration no: 21087