Background

Under the combined impact of globalisation, European construction, decentralisation and government modernisation, and the emergence of new aspirations in civil society, the purposes and forms of public action have changed profoundly.

Created in 2004, the Masters degree in Public Action, approved by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles, is one is one of the main postgraduate courses offered by École des Ponts ParisTechto young engineers in public service in the civil engineering, water and forestry sectors, recruited from outside the School (in particular École polytechnique, Ecoles normales supérieures and Agro), via professional competitions (in particular public works engineers), It is also open to engineers working in similar sectors of activity – engineers from other ministries (e.g. army engineering corp), or from local government (e.g. City of Paris engineers), or from public institutions and public service contractors (e.g. the railway operator, SNCF). From experience, the diversity of backgrounds of students on the public action programme undoubtedly enriches the experience for all involved.

Objectives

The objective is to give all students the same in-depth capacity to understand public action and its issues, and the means to enhance its legitimacy and efficacy within the framework of a multidisciplinary approach that embraces the European and international dimensions.

The Masters programme in Public Action therefore aspires to give its students a further grounding that will prepare them for the different jobs they will do over their careers, in the departments or offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fishing or of the Ministry of Economics and Finance, as well as in design and research structures, international organisations, etc.

Benefits

• A high-level teaching team (see Programme)
• The diversity of backgrounds of students on the public action programme

"Since its creation in 1747, the oldest of the engineering schools has consistently been a pioneer in the organisation and content of its curricula. Maintaining a close link between teaching and research is the central priority of École des Ponts ParisTech’s scientific and educational principle. And from this perspective, the Masters programme in Public Action continues the long-standing tradition of preparing people for the reasoned exercise of public responsibilities whilst positioning it resolutely within the context of sustainable development.”.
Philippe Courtier, Director of École des Ponts - ParisTech

Openings

The Masters programme in Public Action prepares its students to work in the design, regulation and administration of public action in various domains, including: environment, transport (including civil aviation), energy, habitat and housing, urban engineering, socio-economic analysis, planning and development, geographical information, meteorology, water and marine affairs.