MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.) IN LAW AND PRACTICE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.) IN LAW AND PRACTICE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
LAW AND PRACTICE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (LL.M. & M.A.)
In our current century, the values of law to the practice of administration cannot be underestimated. The size and character of the state have not only expanded, but also our public service values increasingly serve as guideposts to our success as state. It is therefore essential to keep a proper intercourse between law and administration.
The contemporary dynamics of state growth in politics, law, policy and regulatory regime require that sufficient relationship be established between law and the practice of public administration.
The programme aims to provide an innovative public service education for pre-career and in-career public/civil servants and non-profit administration students with an emphasis on skills, collaboration, and applied learning experiences.
Our basic premise is that public service is the highest calling in any given state. On that account, training current and future generations about the importance of serving the public ethically and by recourse to standards, procedures, law and accepted practices is essential to serving the public interest.
However:
What is the efficacy of public administration regulatory regime? What are the challenges of law to public service? Is there a neat intersection between law and public administration? Are the principles of contract of employment in the public sector sufficiently handled by law? What is the substantive character of the law and procedure governing the practice of public administration? and,
What are the concepts of law, policy designs, systems and administrative patterns and trends that must be mastered for innovative participation in the creation of principles, policy and regulatory structures; and the successful implementation of public policies and programs; with contextual local and regional impacts on state and economic growth?
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
To help answer the need to facilitate the provision of efficient and effective public service and economic growth, the University of Ghana School of Law’s M.A./LL.M. in Law and Practice of Public Administration programme has objectives to:
1. Equip students with mastery over basic legal and public administration concepts essential for advanced studies in Law and practice of public administration;
2. Provide students with the knowledge and skill of public policy design and implementation
3. Assist students evaluate the legal regulatory regime in the practice of public administration
4. Equip students with the principles and procedures interfacing law and public administration
5. Explore the responses of law to issues of public administration;
6. Evaluate the challenges of law in the politics and practice of public administration
7. Situate the issues of law and practice of public administration in the student’s local and regional contexts, aligned with global best practice;
8. Build and instil valuable employability skills that can be readily applied to a wide range of careers in the fields of Law and Practice of Public Administration in public and private sector projects; and
9. Foster intellectual inquiry, knowledge of the law, fundamental professional skills, perspective on the role of law and public administration in society, and the character and values necessary to serve society.
COURSE DURATION
One (1) Academic Year
Venue: University of Ghana – Accra City Campus, Adabraka.
Format: Hybrid (in-person and online lectures)
Time:
- Mondays – Thursdays: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
- Fridays 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Fees:
- GHS 22,355.00 (Ghanaians)
- USD 9,178.00 (Non-Ghanaians)
- GHS 2,445.00 (Admission Processing Fees)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• First degree from a recognized university.
• Shortlisting/Interview.
• M.A. – proven interest, exposure or experience in public administration (prior knowledge in Law not required).
• LL.M. – degree in law (prior knowledge in Law is required).
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE:
The two semester programme comprises lectures, seminars, practitioner-led seminars, small group discussions and industry tailored group readings and reviews. There are core, required and elective courses. Continuous assessment shall be the main mode of examination. Students are therefore expected to actively participate in topical seminars and make innovative contributions on legal and non-legal approaches to law, policy, practice and regulation of public administration within their own contexts. Research works leading to dissertations and papers are expected to be selected according to student interests and of practical benefit to student-chosen institutions. Industry practitioners shall facilitate seminars and job fairs to increase student exposure to the job market and industry needs.
PROGRAMME CONTENT
The M.A./LL.M. Law and Practice of Public Administration includes the following core courses:
The Law and Practice of Public Administration - the law and practice of Public Administration; the basic principles, concerns, and methods of public administration; history and practice of public administration in Ghana at the national and local levels; an overview, development and importance of law in modern government operations.
Public Financial Administration Legal Framework - the legal and regulatory framework for public financial management and administration in Ghana; the ambit of laws and regulations governing public financial management and administration.
Legal Basis for Public Administration: Constitutional and Administrative Law - the legal foundation of public management in Ghana; the legal framework for contemporary public management in Ghana; how the Constitution affects the administrative state, and how the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court shapes the public administrative process.
Administrative Policy Development and Implementation - the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of governmental policy at national and local levels; the knowledge and information of the process, principles, practices and challenges of modern public policy analysis and implementation.
Contact Details:
Website: https://law.ug.edu.gh
Email: lawschool@ug.edu.gh
Phone Numbers: +233 (0) 30 396 3750 / +233 (0) 30 395 8555