The MA – Local Government Management is a two-year, part-time programme that combines study of core subjects in public management broadly with subjects specific to contemporary Irish local government. In addition to learning about economic and human resource management issues applicable to the entire public service in Ireland, students also explore such topics as local government policy formulation, the management of finances in the local government system, and strategic thinking and leadership at local level.
On completing the first year of the programme, students receive the interim award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management. The second year of the course is divided into two semesters. In the first of these, students study three subjects essential to local government. In the second, students write a minor dissertation on a specific local government management issue.