International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA)
Master in Anti-Corruption Studies (MACS)
Laxenburg, Austria
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
Blended, Distance Learning
Key Summary
About: The Master in Anti-Corruption Studies (MACS) at the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) in Laxenburg, Austria, is the first global master’s programme dedicated to anti-corruption and compliance. It addresses gaps in knowledge and practice across governance, integrity, prevention, investigation and enforcement, and aims to empower professionals with skills in policy, law, compliance management and capacity building.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work across public institutions, international organisations, law enforcement and regulatory agencies, NGOs and the private sector. Career opportunities include compliance officer, anti-corruption adviser, policy analyst, investigator, integrity officer and programme manager; roles in governance, risk management, audit and training are common.
About the Programme
IACA is the first international organization and educational institution to offer a global, master degree programme in anti-corruption and compliance: the Master in Anti-Corruption Studies (MACS). The MACS brings together professionals from around the world with related work experience in the public and private sectors, international and non-governmental organizations, media, and academia.
Structure and Curriculum
Each of the seven Online MACS modules carries 13 to 14 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits, and the Master's Thesis carries 21 credits. The MACS degree, therefore, comes with a total of 120 ECTS credits, enabling enrolment into PhD programmes.
The Online MACS programme runs over two academic years with seven core modules and a Master Thesis. Each module runs in 11 to 13 weeks. The modules consist of several core-module and stand-alone courses, composed of self-study readings, interactive presentations, discussion forums, self-assessment, group works, live sessions, written assignments, webinars, etc. All modules as well as master’s thesis research and defence are conducted fully online. Upon successful completion of modules and the master’s thesis defence, the graduation ceremony takes place at IACA campus, in Laxenburg, Austria. The programme also offers an ongoing module on research methods and an ongoing course on facilitating virtual teams and learning process.
Four modules are completed in the first academic year. Three modules and the Master's Thesis are completed in the second academic year.
The programme also offers campus-based research and academic writing support and consultation (optional).
Scholarships
IACA offers a limited number of full and partial scholarships to highly qualified candidates from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as defined by the United Nations.
A full scholarship covers the MACS programme fee and travel and accommodation expenses. A programme fee waiver scholarship covers only the programme fee. Both types of scholarships are highly competitive and merit-based.
Individual Sponsorship
Companies, organizations, and public-sector entities often provide financial support or grant educational leave to their employees to continue their education. IACA will work with applicants who have submitted their application in preparing a sponsorship proposal for their employers or potential donors.
