Governance of the Public Administration

Public administrations are currently undergoing a phase of profound renewal, the success of which requires professionals capable of performing policy direction and political decision-making functions, as well as holding positions of responsibility in the design, implementation, and management of activities and interventions aimed at achieving established public objectives.

In order to address the major and constantly changing challenges that public administrations face in today’s social and economic context in an informed and effective way, these professionals must possess multidisciplinary knowledge and skills in the fields of law, sociology, economics, and management, including evaluation. In addition, theoretical knowledge must be combined with the ability to interpret the context, as well as with management and leadership skills.

The Master’s Degree in Governance of Public Administrations (GAP) is a joint programme offered by the Departments of Economics and Management and Law of the University of Brescia. Housed within the Department of Law, this new Master’s degree provides the legal, business, and decision-making management expertise needed to understand and govern dynamics within public administrations, between different organizations, and in their relations with users.

The programme is intended for students with a strong interest in supporting the strategic and managerial choices of the organisations in which they will work. Graduates of the GAP Master’s degree may take on roles involving the design, monitoring, and evaluation of public policies and programmes in the socio-economic field, or focus more specifically on administrative management.

Throughout the programme, students will acquire the necessary combination of knowledge to interpret the problems and processes that characterise the context in which public administrations operate, playing a key role in solving them and improving efficiency. Teaching will be delivered in a blended format to encourage the widest possible participation while preserving the benefits of in-person interaction with faculty members and fellow students. The teaching approach is specifically designed to foster analytical thinking, a problem-solving attitude, and the ability to work on projects and in teams. The programme also offers the opportunity to take part in laboratory activities, internships, and thesis-related activities within the framework of agreements signed with public administrations.

Finally, students may pursue further training oriented towards interdisciplinary research by attending the PhD programmes in "Business and Law," offered by the Department of Economics and Management, and in "Rights, Persons, Innovation and the Market," offered by the Department of Law.

Experts in Public Administration Governance

- Role within the working context:
Graduates of the Master’s Degree in Governance of Public Administrations (GAP) possess the expertise required to support policy-making bodies in defining policies and programmes. They are qualified to manage and oversee public administrations across various levels (local, regional, national) and sectors (local authorities, healthcare and social services, publicly-owned companies, social security, justice) within a multi-level governance framework.
Their in-depth understanding of the economic and regulatory environment, organizational dynamics, and focus on reporting and evaluation enables them to design, implement, manage, and monitor programmes and projects of public relevance. Their goal is to achieve set objectives based on criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability toward users.

- Skills associated with the role:
GAP graduates possess the skills necessary to contribute to the development and management of public administrations and enterprises, such as:

-Identifying the roles, mandates, and competencies of different administrations and functions;

-Governing decision-making and organizational processes within complex structures like public administrations;

-Understanding the economic and social context in which administrations operate;

Adopting management practices that ensure the fairness and efficiency of administrative actions;

-Supporting the design and implementation of effective public interventions;

-Monitoring and evaluating public programmes and projects;

-Recognizing opportunities provided by digitalization and data analysis.

- Career opportunities:
GAP graduates can independently manage programmes and projects at middle and senior levels within state, regional, and local administrations, public bodies, agencies, publicly-owned companies, independent authorities, universities, educational institutions, and National Health Service entities.
The competencies acquired also allow them to pursue professional careers in private companies and social enterprise organizations (non-profits) that maintain significant relations with public administrations.

The Master’s Degree in Governance of Public Administrations (GAP) trains expert professionals in the governance of public administrations.

The GAP programme is characterized by:

1. The professional profile: graduates are capable of engaging with the strategic management of public entities to design, manage, and evaluate socio-economic interventions, ensuring the correctness and effectiveness of administrative and managerial processes.

2. A balanced curriculum: in line with the target profile, equal weight is given to three key areas: law; economics and business management; and the sociology of organizational and decision-making processes.

3. Significant focus on elective and practical activities: considerable credit is assigned to "further educational activities" and the final thesis.

4. Blended learning format: this delivery method facilitates participation for working students and those living at a distance.

5. Emphasis on soft skills: the adoption of teaching methods specifically designed to foster transversal competencies.

Specifically, the core learning activities are organized as follows:

Economics and Management: these courses develop knowledge of public economics and management essential for governing public administrations based on criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability toward users.

Legal Area: mandatory activities ensure the ability to understand the mandates and functions of public administrations within the relevant regulatory framework, with a specific focus on different levels of government, institutional and labour relations management, and public sector contracts.

Sociological Area: core courses delve into the dynamics driving decision-making processes in complex organizations and communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Quantitative Area: these activities provide the methodologies for digitalization processes and data analysis necessary to support the management and control of public projects and programmes.

Language Requirements: The programme requires certification in a European Union language (other than Italian) at a minimum level of B2 according to the CEFR.

Learning Outcomes: The curriculum provides the theoretical and practical skills necessary for the design, monitoring, and evaluation of socio-economic public policies. It develops the expertise needed to manage public organizations within a multi-level governance context, following criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, and responsibility toward users, citizens, and civil society.

Teaching Methods: In line with its objectives, the Master’s degree includes traditional lectures alongside laboratories, case study analysis, and independent project work, often conducted under agreements with public administrations and enterprises. Together, these activities ensure a solid methodological and practical foundation, fostering analytical thinking, problem-solving attitudes, the ability to work in teams and on a project basis, as well as context-analysis, management, and leadership skills.

 

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must hold a three-year Bachelor’s Degree (or a university diploma), or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad. Additionally, they must have earned at least 30 ECTS (CFU) during their previous university career across at least three of the following four areas:

Statistical-Quantitative Area: INF/01, ING-INF/05, MAT/, SECS-S/, SECS-P/05.

Economic-Organizational Area: SECS-P/*, AGR/01, ING-IND/35.

Legal Area: IUS/*.

Socio-Political Area: SPS/*, M-PSI/05, M-PSI/06.

For qualifications obtained abroad, the Degree Programme Board will evaluate the completed study plan and the fulfillment of the aforementioned disciplinary requirements upon written request by the applicant, solely for the purpose of admission to the personal preparation assessment.

Assessment of Personal Preparation
The procedures for verifying the adequacy of an applicant's personal preparation are established in the Degree Programme Regulations. This assessment considers the applicant’s previous academic career, with reference to the final grade of the degree used for access and the proficiency level in a European Union language (other than Italian), which must be at least at the B1 level of the CEFR.

Admission Procedures

Admission to the GAP Master’s Degree for candidates meeting the minimum curricular requirements specified above is subject to a mandatory assessment of personal preparation by an Evaluation Committee appointed by the Aggregate Degree Programme Board (CCSA).

The evaluation of personal skills and abilities is based on the academic curriculum (graduation grade, GPA in the relevant disciplinary sectors mentioned above, and consistency with the educational objectives of the GAP Master's Degree). If an applicant holds a Master's degree or a University Master (Postgraduate), these will also be considered. For the sole purpose of assessing personal preparation, a four-year degree (old system) is considered equivalent to a first-level Bachelor's degree.

Should the academic curriculum be deemed not fully sufficient, the Evaluation Committee will require the candidate to pass an oral interview. This admission interview is mandatory for holders of a three-year Italian university diploma or a qualification obtained abroad.

The specific curriculum evaluation methods, admission interview details (including the possibility of remote sessions), exam topics, and admission thresholds are determined by the CCSA and published on the University website.

All applicants must demonstrate knowledge of a European Union language other than Italian at a level equivalent to at least B1 (CEFR). This proficiency can be proven through university-level certifications or recognized external language certificates included in the list of accepted certifications published on the Department's website.

International Students
The admission of international students is governed by the "Procedures for the entry, residency, and enrolment of international students and the respective recognition of qualifications" issued by the Ministry of Education, University and Research. These rules also establish the procedures for verifying Italian language proficiency, where required, and the conditions for exemption.

Prospective Student Advising (Incoming Orientation)

The Degree Programme participates in incoming orientation initiatives managed at both the Macro-area and University levels. These are detailed on the dedicated University portal page, which also provides access to specific initiatives for the various Macro-areas. Activities are coordinated by a working group composed of the Rector's Delegate for Orientation, the Departmental Delegates for Orientation, and the staff of a dedicated organizational unit (U.O.C. Orientamento). The design and delivery of orientation activities developed by the U.O.C. are certified according to the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard.

Regular activities, news, and updated initiatives can be consulted on the dedicated page:
Orientation

Enrolled Student Advising (In-itinere Orientation and Tutoring)

Tutoring initiatives are organized at the University level in accordance with the annual tutoring plan, defined each year by the University Tutoring Committee and approved by the Academic Senate. The Tutoring Service contributes to "in-itinere" orientation with the aim of promoting academic progress and identifying critical issues that may lead to student withdrawal. The administrative management of the student tutoring service is certified according to the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard and is ensured within the framework of student welfare services (Right to Education) by a dedicated organizational unit.

Tutoring

Characteristics of the Final Examination

The final examination consists of a Master’s thesis, which may be either a literature review (compilation-based) or an experimental study, conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.
The dissertation must demonstrate a degree of originality and represent an initial approach to scientific research on a topic consistent with the educational objectives of the degree programme.

A literature review thesis requires the collection and critical analysis of bibliographic material related to the cultural and professional content of the Master’s degree.
Students who choose an experimental thesis must actively contribute to a theoretical or applied research project, reporting the results in a final dissertation with an adequate level of autonomy and critical thinking.
Under the guidance of a supervisor, the research activity may also be carried out within public or private institutions with which specific agreements have been established.

The Graduation Committee evaluates the final examination, taking into account the degree of autonomy demonstrated during the thesis work and the candidate's ability to present and discuss the results.
The final grade will take into consideration the evaluation of previous educational activities, the final examination itself, and any other relevant elements, including recognized periods of study abroad, internship activities, and work carried out at public or private facilities for the purpose of the thesis.

Procedures for the Final Examination

The final examination involves the preparation of a literature review or experimental thesis under the guidance of a supervisor, for which 15 ECTS (CFU) are awarded.
The dissertation must be original and serve as a first approach to scientific work on a subject aligned with the programme's learning objectives.
The thesis topic is agreed upon with the supervisor and must be consistent with the contents of their specific scientific-disciplinary sector.

The final examination is mandatory, is defended in a public session, and is governed by specific Regulations, to which full reference is made.

Graduation