Theses

The topic of the thesis must be developed independently by the students. We will be happy to advise you on the choice of topic and the development of the research question. If you are interested in writing a thesis in our field, please send us a detailed e-mail first. This should contain the following:

• Topic or suggested topics: Describe which subject areas interest you and which specific questions you would like to work on, as far as you can already outline this.
• Motivation: Explain why you have chosen this topic and what previous knowledge or interests you have.

A formal exposé is not required at this stage, but can help you as a starting point in the further writing process.
On this basis, we will invite you to a personal consultation. In this meeting, we will discuss the type of supervision, a more precise topic, possible methodological approaches and other general conditions of the work.

After the consultation, you will draw up a timetable for working on your thesis, which will include important milestones and deadlines to help you work on your thesis in a targeted and structured manner.

As part of the MPA, please agree with your first supervisor whether an exposé is desired upon initial contact or only after an initial interview. At the Department of Public Administration and Management, an initial interview usually takes place first.

The exposé then serves to establish a clear content framework, to create a work plan for you and also to take the first steps in writing. There is no standard template for an exposé in the MPA degree program; please ask your first supervisor about their specific requirements. However, we generally recommend that you use the template of the actual Master's thesis and follow its rough chapter structure.

As a rule, an exposé contains approx. 3-5 pages:

• Derivation and justification of the scientific relevance of the topic (not ONLY practical relevance)
• Overview of the current state of research (with references)
• If already possible: Theoretical framework, hypotheses/assumptions if applicable
• Objective and research question
• Research design (methodological approach and justification, survey method, analysis criteria, evaluation strategies)
• Draft outline
• Bibliography
• Time schedule

More detailed information on the synopsis can also be discussed in the MPA writing workshop and will be discussed in the Master's workshop in the 5th semester.

A thesis is an independent academic qualification paper that should meet academic standards in terms of content and form:

• State of research: students prepare the (international!) state of research on their topic of investigation and critically examine the existing scientific literature.
• Terminology: Students use the correct administrative science vocabulary in their work. Key terms are defined.
• Structure: Students show that they are able to develop a coherent outline ("red thread") and a theory-based argumentation structure for dealing with a specific research question.
• Linking theory and empiricism: Students demonstrate that they can classify their research question theoretically and are able to link theory and empiricism in a meaningful way.
• Methods: Students demonstrate that they are familiar with and can apply social science methods. The methodological approach is described and justified as transparently as possible in the thesis.
• Analysis and presentation: Students demonstrate that they are able to analyze complex issues and to work out the essential points of content precisely and clearly in a limited space.
• Formalities: Students apply academic presentation and editing techniques in a formally correct manner (citation, source work, bibliography, etc.).

Students on the MPA degree program can find more detailed information on the requirements for written papers on eCampus under "Things to know" (Handout for written papers in MPA).

• The role of leadership behavior in promoting uncertainty tolerance in administrative organizations
• Interaction of companies with public authorities
• Burnout prevention through work-life balance measures in the public sector

Summer Semester 2026

• Acceptance of Public Sector Leaders
• Competency Development in AI: A Study of AI Training Initiatives in the Federal Administration
• Acceptance of Artificial Intelligence in Local Government: An Investigation of Factors Contributing to the Sustainable Implementation of Local Digital Navigator Programs—A Comparative Analysis of Local Governments

Winter Semester 2025/26

• From Pilot Project to Practice: Potential and Challenges of AI Applications in Public Administration—An Empirical Analysis Using the Example of the Large Language Model LLMoin in the City of Hamburg
• Forecasting in Public Controlling with AI – An Empirical Analysis of Neural Time-Series Models for Estimating Funding Requirements in the Context of Federal Operational Consolidation
• Digital Transformation in Public Administration—Change Management as a Success Factor
• Use of AI in Social Services Administration
• Error Management in the Public Sector
• Personality Traits and Stress Management in the Public Sector
• The Potential of Trainee Programs for Retaining Young Professionals in the Healthcare Sector
• Wikis as a Knowledge Management Tool in Public Administration
• Role-Specific Dilemmas in the Position of Treasurer and Strategies for Coping with Them

Summer Semester 2025

• Technology Acceptance of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in Social Services Administration
• A Structured Fresh Start—Developing an Onboarding Concept for the City of Cologne’s Tax Advisory Service
• Feedback as a Tool for Employee Motivation: Recommendations for Optimizing Feedback Processes at the Düsseldorf District Government
• Leadership Between Ideal and Everyday Reality—A Case Study on the Paradoxes of the Municipal Leadership Model in an Immigration Office
• Workplace Health Management in Public Administration
• Inclusion and Participation in the Labor Market—An Analysis with Special Focus on the Public Sector
• From Resistance to Pioneer—Interdisciplinary Success Factors in the Introduction of Digital Records Management in Public Administration from the Employees’ Perspective
• Interaction Between Businesses and Government Agencies

Winter Semester 2024/25

• The Role of Leadership Behavior in Promoting Tolerance for Uncertainty in Administrative Organizations
• Potential for Cooperation Among Hessian Audit Offices—The Influence of Network Relationships on Voluntary Cooperation Between Independent Public Organizations
• Human Resources Management in Public Broadcasting
• Digital Skills and Work-Life Balance: The Impact of Digital Skills on Public Sector Employees
• Digital Guides in Public Administration—Development of a Typology at the Individual Level
• Digital Guides in Public Administration
• Requirements for Managers in a Work-from-Home Environment
• Digital Guides as a Key Factor in the Success of Digital Transformation in Public Administration
• Digital Guides as Change Agents in Public Administration in North Rhine-Westphalia
• Generational Shift in Employer Attractiveness
• The Impact of Red Tape on Public Sector Employees
• Informal Communication in Virtual Teams
• Burnout Prevention in Financial Administration
• Leadership in Transition—The Impact of Flexible Work Arrangements on Leadership and Leadership Success

• Workplace Health Management in Public Administration
• Inclusion and Participation in the Labor Market—An Analysis with a Special Focus on the Public Sector
• Feedback as a Tool for Employee Motivation: Recommendations for Optimizing Feedback Processes at the Düsseldorf District Government
• Forecasting in Public Controlling Using AI—An Empirical Analysis of Neural Time-Series Models for Estimating Funding Requirements in the Context of Federal Government Consolidation
• Digital Transformation in Public Administration—Change Management as a Success Factor
• Diversity Management in Public Administration: The Case of the City of Cologne
• Knowledge Transfer in the Administration of Non-University Research Institutions—How Can Implicit Expert and Experiential Knowledge Be Preserved? A Recommendation for Action Using the Example of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysics
• The Impact of Working from Home on Collaboration and Cooperation
• Agility as a Driver of Administrative Digitization?
• Opportunities and Risks of Introducing Artificial Intelligence and Chatbots in Public Administration: The Case of “job.com” in the District of Düren
• The Influence of Mobile Work and Desk Sharing on Employer Attractiveness in the Public Sector: An Experimental Study Using the Federal Information Technology Center as a Case Study
• Employer Attractiveness in the Public Sector—Conceptual Development of Measures to Enhance Attractiveness Using the City of Leverkusen as an Example
• Visions of a Digital Administration—Perspectives of Key Stakeholders at the Kassel Regional Council
• Knowledge Management as a Double-Edged Sword in Human Resources and Process Development—Development of a Concept for the City of Bad Salzuflen
• Requirements for Knowledge Management in Public Administration—Development of a Practical Concept for the Lower Saxony Ministry of Culture
• Digitization of Hessian Municipalities—An Empirical Study on the Status of Digitization in Hessian Municipalities, Taking the COVID-19 Pandemic into Account
• IT-Supported Knowledge Management in Local Government—Implementation Taking into Account the Specifics of German Local Government, Using the Example of the Budget Department of the City of Mönchengladbach’s Finance Office
• Knowledge Transfer During Staff Turnover – Recommendations for a Structured Knowledge Transfer in the “Central Administration” Department of the Federal Criminal Police Office
• Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration
• Design of a Knowledge Management System—Using the Berlin Accident Insurance Fund as an Example
• Facebook, Instagram, and Others – Social Media Presence of Local Governments
• Knowledge Management in the Registry Office System
• Digital Transformation of Teaching at Adult Education Centers—Acceptance and Success Factors
• The Culture of Complaints in Municipalities – Recommendations for Improved Communication Between Citizens and the Administration
• Phubbing in the Workplace: An Empirical Study of Boredom as a Contributing Factor
• Knowledge Management in Local Government – Current Status Analysis and Areas for Development in the Finance Department of the State Capital of Wiesbaden
• Between Burden and Health Resource—A Qualitative Focus Group Study on the Perception of Dogs’ Presence in the Daily Work Life of Employees in the Correctional System
• Digital Transformation in Public Administration—Change Management as a Success Factor
• Stress and Time Management During College
• A Culture of Error Meets AI—Dealing with Uncertainty and Change in the Context of the Digital Transformation of Public Administrations
• Municipal Foreign Policy: Supranational Approaches to Global Climate Problems at the Local Level
• “New Work” in Public Administration—A Study Using the Example of the Copper Town of Stolberg (Rhld.)
• Motivation in Politically Influenced Environments – An Analysis in the Context of Nature Conservation Agencies
• The Role of Social Media in Police Recruitment in Hesse
• Presenteeism in the Public Sector—A Fundamental Examination and Cross-Administrative Analysis
• “New Work” as Post-Bureaucratic Transcendence: A Micropolitical and Spatial-Sociological Analysis of the “Activity-Based Workplace” in Public Administration
• From Pilot Project to Practice: Potential and Obstacles of AI Applications in Public Administration—An Empirical Analysis Using the Example of the Large Language Model LLMoin from the City of Hamburg
• Technology Acceptance of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in Social Services Administration
• A Structured Fresh Start—Developing an Onboarding Concept for the City of Cologne’s Tax Advisory Service
• Obstacles to Transformation and Barriers to Implementation of Agile Frameworks in Federal Public Administration