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Second Level University Specialising Master | A.A. 2025-2026

Executive Master in Management and Innovation of Public Administrations - MIPA

XVI Edition
May 2026 - May 2027

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Executive Master's Degree in Public Administration
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Overview

The Executive Master in Management and Innovation of Public Administrations – MIPA is the reference path for those who want to understand and guide change in the PA. The Master's course increases the managerial, multidisciplinary and soft skills  of top management and officials to make public action for the common good more efficient, innovative and sustainable.

 

In a context of profound transformation of the country system, MIPA supports public administrations to innovate and digitize their processes, improving internal efficiency and services to citizens and provides  knowledge and practical skills to fully exploit the potential of new tools, digital and otherwise, with the aim of enhancing people and addressing the challenges of public governance with a strategic vision .

 

The course, based on interactive and flexible teaching able to integrate with the work activity, favorsthe acquisition of a dual perspective, of the system of territorial public administrations and multilevel governance, through the in-depth study of real case studies and the comparison with colleagues of different local and central bodies and institutions.

The Executive Master in Management and Innovation of Public Administrations (MIPA) is aimed at candidates with a master's or four-year degree (old system) in any discipline.

 

In particular, to:

  • managers and officials who already work in local public administrations such as Regions, Provinces, Metropolitan Cities, Municipalities and Unions of Municipalities, health authorities, special companies, investee companies, non-economic public bodies, etc. 
  • local administrators already in office, attentive to the peculiar needs of their territory or aspiring such who want to undertake a path aimed at covering roles of administration of the public good.
  • professionals working in private companies, who develop frequent and intense relationships with public organizations.
  • young graduates interested in the multiple and growing career prospects offered by the public administration. 

Exceptionally, and subject to evaluation by the Master's Direction, candidates who do not have a degree may attend as auditors.

 

Those enrolled with a master's degree (or an old university degree) will obtain a second-level university Master's Degree that recognizes 60 training credits (CFU)

 

At the end of the course, auditors will receive a Certificate of participation and attendance from the University.

What Makes MIPA Unique

  • Managerial training of high scientific value to drive change in the PA.
  • Networking opportunities with executives, administrators and professionals.
  • Flexible teaching based on real case studies and experiential labs. 
  • Professional and leadership growth thanks to Project work.
  • Additional skills assessment services for career development.

Program

The MIPA has a duration of 12 months divided into 9 teaching modules, which take place as follows:

  • Classroom lectures (3 days a month, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings) in the spaces of the Milan Campus of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore*.
  • Online training
  • Individual Project Work 
  • Practical in-depth workshops (Soft Skills, Artificial Intelligence, Project Management, Multilevel governance and Communication)

* Some training days may take place in Rome.  

 

The topics covered in each of the nine modules address the key issues for the innovative and managerial management of the Public Administration.

The course includes over 35 hours of lessons on project management topics, which will be useful in view of the eventual certification of skills.

 

More information on Project work, Laboratories and Lecture Calendar are available in the brochure.

Innovation and digitalisation

It examines the factors that generate demand for innovation in the PA, the responsiveness of administrations and the processes of diffusion and consolidation, with particular focus on cultural changes and digital transition

Organisational models and processes

It offers models and tools to analyze and design organizational structures and processes in the PA, supporting change management oriented towards efficiency, quality of services and speed of response.

People Strategy

It deepens the management of human resources in the PA, with attention to merit and rewards. It defines the role, responsibilities and evaluation tools of managers, outlining the key competencies of the public manager.

Local finance systems

It provides theoretical and operational references on the financial function in the PA, on the relations with the provision of services and on the management of structural funds. It includes tools for analysing public debt and spending review policies.

Public accounting systems

It transmits skills to read and interpret a public budget and understand the economic and financial situation of the entity, the basis for effective and transparent strategic planning.

Public value and performance management

 It examines the management of the performance cycle, the measurement of individual and organizational results and the use of management control systems to support strategic decisions.

Service and quality management

It analyzes tools and methodologies to improve the quality of public services and strengthen a culture of service. It delves into the management of local public services, the role of the public group, the relationship between body and manager and control systems.

Public Social Responsibility and Public Procurement

It deals with the sustainability of the PA and social reporting. It also explores cultural, regulatory and managerial aspects of public procurement and the necessary investments.

Development and competitiveness of country systems

It analyzes the role of the PA in local development and territorial competitiveness, the relationship with businesses and the principle of subsidiarity. Through the examination of reforms of public systems at the international level, it highlights the results, critical issues and skills required for modernization.
Carica Altro

The Master's offers the opportunity to attend two optional courses to develop key skills in PA management and innovation. Both courses can be purchased separately, without additional VAT for Master's students.

 

1. Project Management, in collaboration with UNI and CEPAS

The optional path in Project Manager in the Public Administration will propose contents, rules and a simulation to prepare for the certification exam.  

 

In addition, thanks to the agreement with CEPAS, a Bureau Veritas company in Italy, the Master's students will be able to participate (subject to verification of the access requirements) in the certification exam of skills in the field of project management, taking advantage of a special rate. CEPAS certifies professionals in the field of Project Managers, pursuant to the UNI 11648 standard - published in 2016 and revised in 2022 - according to the scheme accredited by ACCREDIA.

 

To find out about the exam methods, view the calendar of sessions and get more information on certification, visit the dedicated CEPAS page: click here

 

2. Assessment pathway,  in collaboration with GiGroup

This optional course, already tested in previous editions, responds to the need, increasingly widespread among PA professionals, to have a structured assessment of their transversal skills.

 

The course is useful both to guide one's professional development and to present oneself with a more competitive profile in career paths (content in update).

Faculty

 

 

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Elena Zuffada

Full Professor of Business Administration, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; Senior lecturer ALTIS

Carica Altro

The Master addresses the complexity of public management through a plurality of approaches, thanks to a faculty that combines Italian and foreign university professors and business experts, involved in both design and teaching. The training offer combines scientific rigor and practical application, in line with the experience of the participants.

 

  • Eugenio Anessi Pessina | Full Professor of Business Administration, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
  • Paolo Balduzzi - Italia | Researcher in Finance Science, Department of Economics and Finance, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
  • Luca Brusati - Italia | Associate Professor of Business Administration, University of Udine
  • Franca Cantoni | Associate Professor of Business Organization at the Faculty of Economics and Law of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
  • Eugenio Caperchione - Italia | Full Professor of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
  • Stella Gubelli - Italia | Adjunct Professor of Business Administration, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
  • Andrea Lippi - Italia | Associate Professor of Corporate Finance, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
  • Giuseppe Manfredi - Italia | Full Professor of Administrative Law, Faculty of Economics and Law, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
  • Edoardo Ongaro - Italia | Professor of Public Management, Open University Business School (UK)
  • Elisa Pintus | Associate Professor of Business Administration, University of Valle d'Aosta
  • Paolo Rizzi - Italia | Associate Professor of Economic Policy, Faculty of Economics and Law, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
  • Paolo Sabbioni | Associate Professor of Public Law Institutions, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
  • Valentina Maria Sessa - Italia | Adjunct Professor of Administrative Law, Faculty of Law, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
  • Francesco Timpano | Associate Professor of Institutions of Public Law, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
  • Alessandro Tonti | Consultant and Trainer on organizational issues
  • Emanuele Vendramini - Italia | Full Professor of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Law, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
  • Lorenza Violini | Full Professor of Constitutional Law, Faculty of Law, University of Milan
  • Elena Zuffada | Full Professor of Economics of Companies and Public Administrations, Faculty of Economics and Law, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

 

Professionals and experts

 

  • Massimo Anzalone - Italia | Official, Italian Competition Authority
  • Ernesto Belisario - Italia | Expert in Technology Law and Administrative Law
  • Michele Bertola - Italia | General Manager of the Municipality of Bergamo and President of ANDIGEL
  • Roberto Nicola Colangelo - Italia | Director, Budget and Revenue Directorate of the Municipality of Milan
  • Rosella Creatini | Head of Coordination of the Credit Department, Italian Competition Authority
  • Gianni Dominici - Italia | General Manager, ForumPA
  • Claudio Forghieri - Italia | Senior Consultant and Trainer 
  • Fabrizio Gambaro - Italia | Consultant trainer on organizational issues
  • Angela Guerrieri | Director, European Planning and International Activities Service
  • Luisa Lovisolo - Italia | Consultant for Public Administrations on European and International Planning, external evaluation expert for the European Commission
  • Salvatore Marras - Italia | Digital Innovation Expert
  • Francesco Morlando - Italia | Parliamentary Councillor of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic

Partners

 

The MIPA Master is supported by prestigious collaborations consolidated over the years:

 

Useful info

 

 

Applications can be submitted via the admission portal, attaching the following documentation. Applications will be evaluated in order of arrival and, if eligible, candidates will be called for a motivational interview with the Master's Direction.

 

Application deadline: May 11, 2026.
Only for participants working for the Lombardy Region: 30 April 2026.

 

Log in to the admission portal

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Motivational letter, with a brief explanation of why you wish to attend the Master (max one A4 page)
  • Copy of identity document
  • Self-certification of a four-year or master's degree with the list of exams taken and grades obtained Download the form
  • Residence permit (mandatory only for non-EU citizens)
  • A question for the evaluation of motivation to participate in the Master and approach to work: to download the form CLICK HERE -  The file must be downloaded, filled in and then uploaded to the admission portal in the section: "Question for profile evaluation". NB: the answer to the question constitutes an element of evaluation for admission to the Master

For the purpose of a complete evaluation of each profile, the CV is required to include, in addition to the degree obtained, also any further training experience related to the contents of the Master.

 

Do you want to read the admission criteria? Download the document

 

Log in to the admission portal

For more information on how to register on the portal, see the online application guide.

The degree must be obtained by April 2026.

Please note: the start date of the university course must be specified: 27 May 2026

 

Please note: the MIPA master's degree must be selected from among the second-level university master's degrees at the Piacenza campus, academic year 2024/25.

Master's Code: 6E6P

The registration fee for the Master is € 8,500, to be paid in four installments.  The first instalment of €2,000 is required at the time of enrolment.

 

Possibility of registration for a single module: € 1,200. For more information write to mipa.altis@unicatt.it

 

There are reductions in the registration fee, including PA 110 cum laude, the only one that can be combined with the others:

  • PA 110 cum laude fee: 10% reduction on the fee. Reimbursement from the Department of Public Administration of 50% of the registration fee paid, up to a maximum of € 2,500. For more information , download the memorandum of understanding being renewed, soon available by clicking here.

  • Early registration fee by 2 March 2026: € 7,650.

  • Partner, Alumni and Conventions discounted fee: € 7,000 valid for the following cases:
        - Strategic partners of ALTIS and in particular for their employees and children of employees.
        - Partners of the Master and in particular for their employees and children of employees.
        - Candidates from MIPA and MIPAC Alumni recommendations .
        - Valore PA Alumni, Alumni subscribed to the premium services of the UCSC        Alumni community and ALTIS Alumni subscribed to the LinkedIn group.
        - Employees of Bodies and Institutions with Agreements in place with ALTIS.

  • Preferential share for employees of the Lombardy Region, Revenue Agencies, Municipality of Monza:
        - € 7,000 in the case of a member.
        - € 5,500 each for two or more members.

  • In addition to those mentioned, agreements are active with various bodies and institutions.
    If you are interested in the Master and would like to know if there is an agreement with your home organization, contact us and start the application procedure for the Master. If you believe the conditions exist, you can also propose the activation of a new agreement with your institution.

  • Fee for multiple registrations from the same institution: € 5,500

To request the application of a discount, it is necessary to download and fill in the relative MODULE and send it to the following mipa.altis@unicatt.it address

 

Other benefits
 

On this page you can find all the other financial benefits and scholarships offered by Università Cattolica and other bodies and institutions.

 

Contact Università Cattolica for assistance and information on Interprofessional Joint Funds.

 

Want to know more? Please contact Enrollment Support for assistance and answers to your questions by writing to mipa.altis@unicatt.it

 

Tuition fee deductions

Pursuant to the Ministerial Decree of 23 December 2021, tuition fees, for enrolment in all first and second level university Master's at the Milan, Brescia and Piacenza campuses, are deductible at 19% for a maximum amount of €3,700 (regardless of the specialising Master's subject area).

 

The deduction is granted on condition that you are in possession of receipts for payment of fees made by MAV, bank transfer or by credit card or other payment systems.

For information on the deductibility of education expenses, click here.

 

Workers with a VAT number who attend a master's degree can take advantage of a tax saving. As an alternative to the 19% deduction, they will have the possibility to deduct from their income the cost of attending the master, including any travel and accommodation expenses, up to a maximum of €10,000.

 

More information

 INPS scholarship call

Scholarships reserved for employees of the Public Administration enrolled for at least one year in the Unitary Management of Credit and Social Services.

Read the announcement

These scholarships can be combined with some ALTIS scholarships. Contact Educational Advisory for more information: mipa.altis@unicatt.it

Scholarship Application Deadline: By 12:00 noon on November 18, 2025.

 

Other Scholarships

Consult this page periodically, here the calls for scholarships will be published as soon as they are available.

 

Scholarships are assimilated to income from employment and as such are subject to taxation. They are therefore to be considered gross of any withholding taxes.

Following admission, candidates will be notified by email and through the admission portal.
Admitted candidates, within 5 days of communication , must upload the payment data of the first instalment and the documents requested in the admission email through the admission portal.

Undergraduate candidates or candidates with a foreign university qualification must complete the pre-enrolment application through the admission portal: once the degree or the Declaration of Value/Diploma Supplement* are considered adequate by the Master's Secretariat, the candidate can proceed with enrolment.

* Candidates with a foreign degree must request the Declaration of Value at the Consular Offices of the country where the degree was obtained. If the degree was obtained in an EU country, candidates can apply for the Diploma Supplement directly from their home university; if the degree has been conferred by a faculty approved by the Holy See, it will be necessary to request authentication by the Holy See and subsequent legalization. Please note that the document must be delivered to the Master's Office in the original paper version. (For more information go to the FAQ).
 

The maximum number of admitted participants is set at 40.
The Management reserves the right to increase this number or, in the event of an insufficient number of applications, not to activate the Master's course.

What the alumni say

Contact the ALTIS Educational Advisory team

ALTIS Graduate School of Sustainable Management
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
E-mail: mipa.altis@unicatt.it
Phone: 389 28 69 053
 

For information on the delivery of enrolment documents and administrative enrolment procedures:

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Master Office
Via Emilia Parmense, 84 - 29122 Piacenza
tel: +39 0523-599134
tel: +39 0523 599200
from Mon. to Fri. from 9.00 to 12.30, 
tue. and Thurs. afternoon from 14.00 to 16.00. 
E-mail: uff.master-pc@unicatt.it
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