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Public Policy
Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.)
The Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) program is a Master's-level research program at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. The MPP offers learning and research opportunities for highly qualified students who will advance knowledge and move the study of public policy forward. The MPP is a research program - students graduating from this program will possess the research skills necessary to play integral roles in the civil service, research organizations, and industry associations. Top students from this program will also go on to doctoral programs in public policy. Students may complete the program on a full-time basis in approximately two years. The program involves a combination of course work, research, and the writing of a thesis. Each student will have a research advisor and an advisory committee. The School's faculty have significant research background and interest in three research areas: health and social policy; science, technology, and innovation; and trade and transnational regulation. This provides opportunities for research students to explore topics in areas such as higher education, health, aboriginal people, the social economy, international trade agreements, innovation and science policy, and regulation and rural and remote areas. For more information, please visit the School of Public Policy.
Admission Requirements
- bachelor's degree from a recognized university
- average of 75% or better must be maintained in the last two years (60 credit units) of the undergraduate program or graduate program, if applicants are coming to the M.P.P. after a graduate degree
- Students will enter the program from a wide variety of disciplines-- for example, students from the fine arts, social sciences, physical sciences, and professional college disciplines are eligible.
- Because concepts derived from micro economics and statistics are used in part of the program, students without a background in these areas are encouraged to take additional non-credit instruction, which will be offered in the first two months of the fall term.
- Language Proficiency Requirements: For International applicants whose first language is not English, English language proficiency is required as per College of Graduate Studies and Research Regulations.
Degree Requirements
All JSGS courses have a minimum passing grade of 70%. Students must maintain continous registration in the 994 course.
- GSR 960.0
- GSR 961.0 if research involves human subjects
- GSR 962.0 if research involves animal subjects
- minimum 15 credit units required
- JSGS 990
- JSGS 994 (thesis)
- a minimum of 3 credit units from the following:
- JSGS 805.3
- JSGS 862.3
- JSGS 865.3
- a minimum of 3 credit units from the following:
- JSGS 803.3
- JSGS 851.3
- a minimum of 3 credit units from the following:
- JSGS 806.3
- JSGS 867.3
- a minimum of 3 credit units from the following:
- JSGS 817.3
- JSGS 849.3
- JSGS 854.3
- JSGS 859.3
- JSGS 864.3
- the remaining 3 credit units can be chosen from the JSGS list of approved restricted electives
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Admission Requirements
- completion of a Masters of Public Policy (M.P.P.) or Public Administration (M.P.A.) or a Masters in a cognate discipline such as economics, political science, political sociology, or educational administration from a recognized university
- an average of 75% or better in previous program
- students with an M.P.A. degree will be considered, but must successfully pass a qualifying exam
- students with a course-based Masters degree will be required to complete the qualifying exam as a condition of admission
Students applying for the program will be required to prepare a research program outlining research they would like to pursue in the area of public policy. The research program should have a well-defined problem statement, a review of the appropriate literature, an initial methodology, and a statement indicating the significance/relevance of such a research program. While students will not be held to the research program that they outline, the document will serve to guide the student and their committee with the courses and the material they explore through their course work.
Degree Requirements
All JSGS courses have a minimum passing grade of 70%. Students must maintain continuous registraion in the 996 course.
- GSR 960.0
- GSR 961.0 if research involves human subjects
- GSR 962.0 if research involves animal subjects
- Students with a Masters degree (with thesis) in public policy from a recognized university will be required to take a minimum of 9 credit units of course work at the Ph.D. level. Students without this background would be required to acquire it before taking the Ph.D. courses.
- JSGS 990.0
- JSGS 996.0
- a minimum of 9 credit units of core courses required:
- JSGS 851.3
- JSGS 803.3
- JSGS 865.3 (mandatory)
- Students may take additional courses in a particular subject area if they so wish. The decision to take additional courses over and above that required in the core rests with the student's advisory committee.
- qualifying examination
- comprehensive examination
- standard dissertation or three-paper model
Transfer from Master's to Ph.D.
Admission Requirements
- completion of all 15 credit units of required courses for the M.P.P. (students in the M.P.A. would also have to complete 15 credit units of courses)
- successful completion of qualifying examination
- three letters of recommendation in support of the transfer (typically from the faculty of the School)
Degree Requirements
- GSR 960.0
- GSR 961.0 if research involves human subjects
- GSR 962.0 if research involves animal subjects
- A minimum of 24 credit units at the 800-level
- JSGS 851.3
- JSGS 803.3
- JSGS 865.3
- JSGS 806.3 or JSGS 867.3
- JSGS 817.3, JSGS 849.3, JSGS 854.3, JSGS 859.3 OR JSGS 864.3
- JSGS 990.0
- JSGS 996.0
- Pass a comprehensive examination, after completing the required course work, and prior to focusing on the research and doctoral thesis.
- Write and successfully defend a thesis based on original investigation.
