About Global Diversity Governance Mpa in Coventry University

Diversity is a defining characteristic of our time, affecting every element of our society, from politics and press to education and the economy. In our globally connected world, the need to understand the impact and dynamics of diversity in local areas is more important now than ever before.
The MPA (Master of Public Administration) Global Diversity Governance is an international master’s programme for public, private and voluntary sector professionals looking to deepen their knowledge and further their career. We provide the skills, expertise and global perspectives to allow you to successfully manage cultural diversity and create lasting, positive change in your own communities and organisations.

“The MPA offers a powerful and pioneering programme of study that prepares professionals from across the world to confront one of the prime responsibilities of our time: the successful governance of diversity.”

Professor Mike Hardy CMG OBE, Executive Director, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations

Qualifications available:

Master of Public Administration Global Diversity Governance (16 months Fast-Track APEL*).*Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is the process by which Coventry University awards credits towards a qualification based on a student’s prior learning and experience in, for example, their career, previous qualifications and other, relevant life experience. For this course, Coventry University is able to award a third of the credits of the qualification based on a student’s reflection on the outcomes of their prior experience and learning, providing a fast-track option and an opportunity to complete a master’s degree in 16 months rather than 2 years. For more information on our APEL route or this course, contact our team on study.ctprs@coventry.ac.uk or speak to Heather, our Postgraduate Programmes Manager, on  +44 (0) 2477659059.

Course information

Diversity is a defining characteristic of our time, affecting every element of our society, from politics and press to education and the economy. In our globally connected world, the need to understand the impact and dynamics of diversity in local areas is more important now than ever before.

The MPA (Master of Public Administration) Global Diversity Governance is an international master’s programme for public, private and voluntary sector professionals looking to deepen their knowledge and further their career. We provide the skills, expertise and global perspectives to allow you to successfully manage cultural diversity and create lasting, positive change in your own communities and organisations.

“The MPA brings together leading expertise from across multiple disciplines, with both scholarship and grassroots experience spanning the globe – a unique opportunity to learn about diversity from a truly diverse array of perspective and approaches.”

Dr Serena Hussain, Associate Professor, MPA Global Diversity Governance

The MPA brings together experienced, mid- and senior-career professionals from different countries and regions to learn from leading experts and active researchers from across the social and political sciences. Together you will have the opportunity to study the fundamental concepts, theories, and frameworks which underpin the study of diversity and the policies, laws, tools and interventions which support its governance around the world.

The global political and economic environment is changing and a new and very different geo-political reality is emerging. The MPA has been designed to explore in detail the nature and implications of these changes, aiming to provide professionals with the skills and mind-sets that will allow them to manage cultural diversity and lead the organisations of the future, whether in education, health, security or other areas of service delivery.

We believe that the MPA offers professionals an unparalleled opportunity to build understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by global diversity. We aim for each course member to graduate with stronger analytical abilities in assessing the challenges posed by cultural difference as well as a set of tools for responding to these challenges – essential prerequisites for any senior career in public administration.

The MPA is delivered through blended learning – a mix of face-to-face and distance learning allowing professionals to study flexibly around work and personal commitments. Further, one-third of the credits for the course may be awarded based on what you have already achieved in your career and professional life, through our APEL fast-track route. See below for more details.

Qualifications available:

Master of Public Administration Global Diversity Governance (16 months, fast-track through APEL).

What is an MPA?

An MPA or Master of Public Administration is a master’s degree for anyone working in public service, from government officers and charity leaders to those working in corporate social responsibility. Rather than being restricted to one academic discipline, an MPA draws on a range of different disciplines and fields in order to help equip professionals with a broader set of knowledge and skills relevant to their careers. Our MPA is focused on diversity and its management and governance and draws upon fields such as sociology, political science, psychology, geography, economics, migration studies, theology, social policy, communication studies and cultural studies. It is particularly relevant to those working in any community-facing role or leaders in social and public policy areas such as migration, development, social relations, faith, equality, diversity and inclusion, diplomacy, security and policing.

MPAs are a common feature of the CVs of government and charity leaders around the world, including, for example, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Our programme has been taken by diplomats, government officials, corporate diversity and inclusion leaders, NGO leaders, peacebuilders, activists, senior police officers, international consultants and more. We believe this course to be an impressive and versatile qualification, relevant to a wide range of careers and interests and focused on strengthening the work of those committed to public service in any form.

“The MPA offers a powerful and pioneering programme of study that prepares professionals from across the world to confront one of the prime responsibilities of our time: the successful governance of diversity.”

Professor Mike Hardy CMG OBE, Executive Director Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations

Career prospects

Working effectively with diversity and cultural difference is a core requirement of almost every career path in public, private and voluntary sectors around the world – as important for charity managers in Africa and Asia as it is to senior police teams in Europe. Our MPA is designed to enhance the skills and understanding of professionals working in, with and for diverse communities; our aim is for students to leave the Programme with not only an enhanced CV and career prospects but with the networks, confidence and competence to create positive change in the communities they serve.

The MPA in Global Diversity Governance offers professionals an unparalleled opportunity to build their understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by global diversity. We aim for each course member to graduate with stronger analytical abilities in assessing the challenges posed by cultural difference as well as a set of tools for responding to these challenges – essential prerequisites for any senior career in public administration.

The MPA aims to provide professionals with:

• a greater ability to assess the local relevance of national policies and global trends in diversity governance
• improved comparative analytical skills in understanding diversity governance contexts around the world
• enhanced capabilities in designing and delivering services which meet the needs of diverse societies
• advanced skills in dialogue facilitation and communication with people from different cultures;

Whilst also gaining a formal, accredited postgraduate qualification, the MPA offers the opportunity to broaden your professional networks and study alongside people in similar roles around the world. The course ultimately seeks to create a learning community, where ideas can be interchanged and debated amongst academic staff, alumni, and current students, lasting well beyond the timespan of the academic programme itself. 

The MPA is ideally suited for professionals looking to progress their careers in senior management where an ability to work effectively with the complexity of diverse communities is of paramount importance. The MPA aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to take up roles within a broad spectrum of organisations, which could include roles in international non-governmental organisations, national and local government agencies, supranational government organisations like the United Nations, regional communities such as the European Union or the Economic Community of West African States, local and national charities and, indeed, also academia – a number of our Centre’s alumni have gone on to join our team as PhD candidates.

All applications will be evaluated individually with admissions decisions made by CTPSR. Admission decisions are based on the entry criteria elaborated below and an evaluation of the required application documents. Ordinarily, the minimum entry criteria for the MPA Global Diversity Governance are as follows:

Applicants should hold a 2:2 or above degree (or equivalent international grade/qualification), from a recognised University, preferably in a social science subject (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Security Studies, International Relations, Politics, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies, etc.).

For non-UK applicants, the entry requirement is English language proficiency at IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. Where applicants do not hold up-to-date IELTS certification, we will look at whether an applicant has previously studied and successfully completed a Higher Education qualification in English. Where an applicant does not hold such a qualification entry will be at the discretion of the Course Director and subject to a review of documentation and an interview. Please call or email our team if you have questions about this requirement – contact details below.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning:

The course only accepts students through the AP(E)L route. To be eligible for AP(E)L an applicant must have a minimum of five (5) years evidenced working experience in a relevant field to Global Diversity Governance and be operating in a relevant role at the level of mid-management or above at the time of application, or have operated within a relevant role at the level of mid-management or above within 12 months of the time of application. An eligible applicant seeking AP(E)L will be assessed by a portfolio and admissions interview, alongside their capacity to complete the programme successfully.

For further information on eligibility and the application process please email study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk.

How to Apply

Prior to submitting an application please ensure you have the following supporting documents ready to upload:

• Detailed personal statement 
• Academic transcripts and award certificate of your first degree 
• English Language Certificate e.g. IELTS
• Reference letter from a current/ former tutor and/ or line manager*
• CV 
• Passport copy/scan
• APEL form

The documents above are required to make an initial application, however further documentation may be requested from applicants in cases where additional information is required to support course entry decisions.

*this must be sent directly by the referee to study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk. Please ensure you read the guidance which can be found under the entry requirements section, particularly in relation to Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL – Please see section ‘Entry Requirements’ above).5

For further information:

Dr Heather Baggaley

Postgraduate Programmes Manager

+44 (0) 2477659059

study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk

Portfolio

As part of the application process, prospective students are required to evidence prior (experiential) learning (APEL) which is accredited as part of the programme of study. This accreditation allows students to complete the MPA over 16 months either by blended learning or distance learning. Please refer to the admissions criteria below and contact the Postgraduate Programme Manager for further information.

English as a Foreign Language: This course requires IELTS of 6.5 or above. Pre-sessional English is available if required.

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