| Course Name |
Local Government |
| Course Provider |
Institute of Public Administration - IPA |
| Alternative Provider(s) |
Dundalk Institute of Technology, Limerick Institute of Technology |
| Course Code |
27692 (Assigned by Qualifax. Not an official code) |
| Course Type |
Lifelong Learning |
| Qualifications |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ)
More info...
|
Major |
University College Dublin |
Level 8 NFQ |
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| Apply To |
Course provider |
| Attendance Options |
Part time, Evening, Distance, Weekend |
| Location (Districts) |
Ballsbridge, Dundalk, Limerick City |
| Enrolment and Start Dates Comment |
Commences: September 2017. |
| Application Date |
Application Deadline: September 2017. |
| Duration |
4 years of part-time study.
Delivery Methods:
• Evening lectures at the IPA.
• Distance education (plus complimentary regional tutorials where numbers permit) supported by weekend seminars at the IPA.
All delivery methods involve attendance at some weekend seminars at the IPA. |
| Course Fee |
Expand+The cost of the programme is €2,980 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees), payable in one or two instalments.
Fees are generally to be paid in one or two instalments.
The first instalment is due on or before September 08...
Hide-The cost of the programme is €2,980 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees), payable in one or two instalments.
Fees are generally to be paid in one or two instalments.
The first instalment is due on or before September 08, 2017. The second instalment is due on or before January 26, 2018.
Some programmes are invoiced on completion of the first module.
Fees can be paid by:
- Debit/Credit Card
- Cheque (payable to Institute of Public Administration)
- Bank Draft
Studying at an Institute of Technology?
Those students taking their programme through evening lectures at a regional Institute of Technology pay the first instalment of their fee to the relevant Institute of Technology and the second to the IPA.
Employers and Fees
Where employers are paying fees directly to the IPA, students, when enrolling, must submit a letter from their training or HR officer confirming that fees will be paid directly.
Note: A letter stating that fees will be refunded to students at the end of the year will not suffice.
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| Entry Requirements |
Expand+Applicants require:
1. A Leaving Certificate with a minimum of grade C in two higher level papers and grade D in four other subjects. The papers passed must include Irish, English and a third language. Students applying for the BBS (Hons) must have...
Hide-Applicants require:
1. A Leaving Certificate with a minimum of grade C in two higher level papers and grade D in four other subjects. The papers passed must include Irish, English and a third language. Students applying for the BBS (Hons) must have passed the Mathematics paper OR
2. Students of mature years (students over 21 on January 1 of the calendar year of entry) may be matriculated by the IPA for the purpose of entering a course of study.
Special Case Applications
Prospective students who do not meet the requirements under paragraphs 1 and 2 above may qualify for admission by meeting other equivalent requirements. A Special Case Application Form can be requested from:
Dr Denis O’Brien,
Registrar,
Institute of Public Administration,
57 - 61 Lansdowne Road,
Dublin D04 TC62, Ireland.
Tel: +353 (01) 240 3600
Email: undergrad@ipa.ie
Subject Accumulation
In some programmes, students may enrol for one or more subjects each year until they complete the programme stage.
Exemptions
Graduates and those with other relevant awards, in particular university, QQI and Institute of Technology awards, may apply for an exemption from a subject(s) or entire stage of certain IPA programmes. Only those who have studied relevant disciplines with be considered for exemptions. Exemptions cannot be awarded in a one-year programme or at the award stage of longer programmes.
Application forms for exemptions are available from the IPA. They must be completed and returned no later than early October 2017. Applications must be accompanied by transcripts of results for each year of previous third-level studies.
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| Financial Support |
Tax Relief on Fees
Students who pay their own fees are eligible under the 1996 Finance Act for tax relief at the standard rate, as the IPA is an appointed institution under the Act. Courses must be longer than one year in duration for students to qualify for tax relief. |
| Comment |
Accreditation: UCD.
Place on NFQ: Level 8 (Major Award).
Interim Awards:
Year One – Certificate in Public Management.
Year Two – Diploma in Public Management. |
| Course Content |
Expand+The Programme
The BA (Hons) – Local Government is a four-year, part-time programme that combines study of subjects critical to contemporary public management with subjects particular to local government. In addition to learning about the economic, ...
Hide-The Programme
The BA (Hons) – Local Government is a four-year, part-time programme that combines study of subjects critical to contemporary public management with subjects particular to local government. In addition to learning about the economic, legal and HR issues that affect public administration broadly, students obtain specialised knowledge about such matters as the powers of local authorities, local government finance and local government systems outside Ireland. This degree programme includes two interim awards – at Certificate and Diploma level.
Is this Programme for You?
This honours degree often attracts staff from local authorities who want to obtain a third-level qualification while remaining in full-time employment. As students take a mix of common subjects and subjects specific to local government, they are able to understand the issues facing local authorities in relation to broader economic and management theories and practices.
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| Subjects Taught |
Expand+Year 1 – Certificate in Public Management:
The first year is both a stand-alone qualification – Certificate in Public Management – and part of the four-year degree programme.
Economics:
This introductory-level course explains the main theories...
Hide-Year 1 – Certificate in Public Management:
The first year is both a stand-alone qualification – Certificate in Public Management – and part of the four-year degree programme.
Economics:
This introductory-level course explains the main theories and principles of economics. No prior knowledge of economics is presumed. The course covers both micro and macroeconomics and addresses such topics as the laws of supply and demand, how market prices are reached and monopolies and competition.
Law:
Public servants must understand the fundamentals of the legal system. This course focuses on the fundamentals, explaining the Irish legal system and the main provisions of the Irish Constitution. Students explore, among other topics, the structure of the court system, practice and procedure in the courts and the rights that the Constitution affords citizens.
Politics, Government and Public Administration
This course is divided into two parts. The first is largely concerned with the institutions of government and the Irish political system. The Irish institutions and systems are compared to those in other countries. The second part of the course focuses on Ireland’s system of public and social administration, explaining how the civil service is organised and the management of social welfare services, healthcare, education and housing.
Principles of Management:
This course provides a solid grounding in the key principles of modern management theory. It explains the origins of contemporary management science and details the most important elements of management, including leadership, HRM and change management.
Year 2 – Diploma in Public Management:
The second year is both a stand-alone qualification – Diploma in Public Management – and part of the four-year degree programme.
Local Government:
Students will explore the legislation, policy frameworks, and key issues in the main services that local authorities are mandated to deliver. Attention is paid to, among other service areas, roads, planning, housing and environmental services.
Economics:
This course builds on the fundamentals of economics explored in the Certificate year by exploring both micro and macroeconomics in greater depth. Students will learn about the economic rules and theories that relate to the operation of markets, the distribution of wealth, the allocation of resources, labour supply and inflation.
Organisation and Management:
An organisation’s structure is a determining factor in its operation. This course explores current thinking on organisational structure and the role of management in the creation and maintenance of the most appropriate structure. Among the specific topics addressed are the different schools of organisation theory, how effective organisations are designed, the significance of the internal culture to an organisation’s work.
European Studies:
Ireland’s membership of the EU is plainly of huge importance to public management. This course explains the key facts of EU membership, addressing the history of the EU, the power and responsibilities of its institutions, the decision-making process, key EU policies, and different perspectives on the EU’s development and reform.
Year 3:
Local Government and Finance:
This course covers a number of key themes in local government reform and explains how local authorities obtain the funds necessary for their operation. It considers, among other things, some of the newer roles of local authorities working with others at local level. On the financial side, the course considers efficiency reforms, the growth of grants, funding options and the capital expenditure of local authorities.
Economics:
This year’s course focuses on public sector economics, a field critical to public servants at various grades. The topics addressed include economic growth, forecasting and planning, the finances of central and local government and the preparation of budgets.
Financial Management:
This course provides students with a clear understanding of standard accounting techniques and the proper management of an organisation’s finances. It is designed for those with no background in accounting.
Administrative Law:
Administrative law is a public law subject that deals with the lawful exercise of power by government and state agencies. Students of this course will examine the laws regarding the civil service, the separation of powers, judicial review and legal compliance.
Year 4:
Comparative Local Government:
This course compares the system of local government that pertains in Ireland with that in other countries. Using both a thematic approach and case studies of specific examples from abroad, it provides a comparative analysis of such key issues as local government finance, duties, citizen participation, and leadership.
Economics
The study of economics in the final year of the degree turns to economic policy and policy analysis. The course explores such topics as industrial and regional economic policy, economic integration, globalisation and issues around financing and control.
Strategic Management
Strategic management is the study of how organisations meet their objectives and effectively respond to change. This course focuses on strategic management in the Irish public sector, but it covers concepts common to both the public and private sector.
Public Policy-Making
This course is concerned with policy-making and the response of the modern state to the challenges it faces in a globalised world. It explores issues around the management of the political economy of the modern state and public policy-making in the Irish state. Students will learn about, among other things, how states have responded to the emergence of a global economy, attempts to regulate the market and multi–level governance in Ireland.
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| Assessment Method |
Students submit assignments and sit examinations. |
| Careers or Further Progression |
Progression
Students can progress to the MA (Local Government Management) or other graduate programmes. |
| Further Enquiries |
Undergraduate Office
Whitaker School of Government and Management
Institute of Public Administration
57-61 Lansdowne Road
Dublin D04 TC62, Ireland
Telephone: +353 (01) 240 3600
Email: undergrad@ipa.ie |
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