School of Policy Studies

School of Policy Studies
School of Policy Studies

Courses and Schedule

The PMPA curriculum includes core courses in leadership, governance, economics, research methods, policy analysis and  management and quantitative methods. In elective courses and a final capstone group project, program participants apply their learning to the analysis and resolution of real-world policy and management issues. 

PMPA students complete 10 courses in all to earn their MPA degree.

Core Courses

The core curriculum consists of six (3-credit) courses and two new (1.5-credit) courses in leadership.

First-year core courses are foundational to the program.  They introduce students to concepts of leadership and strengthen their understanding of the role of government and the nature of policy-making. As well they enhance students analytical and research skills. 

Second-year core course build on the first-year curriculum and include courses in policy analysis and management.

A final “capstone” in the third-year fall term (only) is an integrative group project in which students apply their leadership and skills to the analysis, development and implementation of a policy response to a real-world problem with policy leaders.

1. Public Sector Leadership

2. Analytical Tools

3. Governance and Management

4. Integration

Elective Courses

In addition, PMPA students can complete three (3) elective courses, one in their first winter term and/or their first summer term and two in their second summer term, selected from a rotating list of courses in substance policy and management fields.

Sample List

MPA 817  Impact Analysis Capstone (Summer 2021)

MPA 827  Financial Management in Canada's Public Sector (Summer 2021)

MPA 836  Health and Public Policy in Canada (Winter 2021) 

MPA 847 Environmental Policy (Winter 2021)

MPA 851 Public Policy and the Third Sector (Summer 2021)

MPA 852  Stakeholder Management 

MPA 853  Population Health & the Third Sector 

MPA 857  Public Policy in China (Fudan interchange)

MPA 858  Dynamics of Chinese Economy (Fudan interchange)

MPA 860  Reconciling Indigenous Policy 

MPA 861  Indigenous Governance (Summer 2021)

MPA 864  Policy and Development in Africa (Ghana interchange)

MPA 866  Ethics, Law and Public Policy 

MPA 867 Canadian Cultural Policy 

MPA 868  Business, Government and Global Economy 

MPA 870  Public Policy Issues in Africa (Ghana interchange)

MPA 871  Conflict Resolution 

MPA 875  Budget Planning (Summer 2021)

MPA 877  Energy Policy 

MPA 879  Planning & Project Management 

MPA 883 - Science and Justice 

MPA 885 - Strategic Planning 

MPA 887  Public Sector Reform

MPA 888  Program Evaluation (Summer 2021)

MPA 893 Special Topics:  Policy and EDII (Summer 2021)

Program Schedule

The PMPA class schedule allows participants to combine full-time professional responsibilities with part-time graduate studies. Classes are held on one Friday and Saturday each month from September to April and for one week—7 days in May. Electronic technologies facilitate research as well as ongoing communication among faculty and students between on-campus sessions.  Road to Completion

YEAR 1

MPA 823
MPA 800
MPA 804
MPA 806

 

Public Policy Leadership (1.5 credits)
Governing Institutions (3.0 credits)
Principles of Economics (3.0 credits)
Analytical Tools for Policy Research (3.0 credits)

One Elective Course (3.0 credits)

Fall, September (3 days)
Fall/Winter (October to March)
Fall (September to December - online)
Summer (one week in May - 7 days)

Summer (one week in May - 7 days)
YEAR 2

MPA 824
MPA 802
MPA 809

 

Policy Leadership in Practice (1.5 credits)
Approaches to Policy Analysis (3.0 credits)
Management in Public Sector (3.0 credits)

Two Elective Courses (3.0 credits each)

Fall, September (3 days)
Fall/Winter (October to March)
Fall/Winter (October to March)

Summer (one week in May - 7 days)
YEAR 3 MPA 825 Team Leadership Project (3.0 credits) Fall Term (September to December)