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Public Policy
This master of public policy (MPP) program offers the skills, insights and analytical frameworks that public sector and non-profit policy analysts and managers require. It focuses on the political and economic contexts of public policy analysis and offers specialized study. Designed to develop the strategic and global perspective required of tomorrow’s senior policy analysts and managers, the program uses a cohort model which encourages student interaction and co-operation. An individual research project undertaken in PLCY 808 and 809 (advanced policy analysis) is an integral part of the program.
This full-time two year cohort program, leading to a master of public policy (MPP), consists of fourteen courses and a summer co-op/internship. Courses are sequenced through the fall and spring terms. The maximum course load is four courses per term.
間眅埶AV Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Those admitted with other credentials, or those with degrees who, in the judgement of the program director, are without adequate foundation in the social sciences, may be required to make up any deficiency without receiving graduate credit for those courses.
Students are normally admitted in September. It is expected that approximately 30 students will be directly admitted in any one year.
The normal admission minimum undergraduate GPA is 3.0 (or equivalent), although the admissions committee and program director may consider relevant work experience when determining admission eligibility.
Criteria for admission, in addition to undergraduate grades, include strong letters of reference, an essay, and for those whose native language is not English, acceptable TOEFL scores (570 minimum) and a score of 5 or above on the Test of Written English. Students with non-Canadian undergraduate or graduate degrees are required to complete the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
Application Requirements
The following application documentation is required.
a 間眅埶AV graduate application form, which is available from the School of Public Policy office or from
official undergraduate transcript showing all grades (mailed directly from the granting institution)
three confidential reference letters (mailed directly from referees), at least two of which are from faculty members (may be waived for mid-career applicants with professional experience; letters from employers may be used). Reference forms are available from the office or from
a one-page essay that explains why the applicant wishes to pursue the MPP degree
a student whose first language is not English and whose undergraduate degrees were from institutions where English is not the language of instruction are required to submit TOEFL and Test of Written English scores
GRE score for non-Canadian degree applicants
Program Requirements
The candidate must complete a total of ten core PLCY courses, a summer co-op/internship, and four additional elective courses that must be approved by the School of Public Policy director.
Year One
Students complete a total of 40 units, including all of
An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of public policy analysis and examination of current policy issues.
An examination of the basic operation of a market economy and introduction to key economic concepts and techniques.
Application of economic concepts and techniques to a variety of public policy issues.
The first of a two term sequence that examines the basic structures and processes of government in Canada and their context in the evolving Canadian political economy. It also introduces students to key actors in the policy process and examines their structure and behavior. Examples of relevant actors include federal, provincial and local state structures and agencies, and a variety of societal actors such as pressure groups, social movements, think tanks and other associations.
Building upon MPP 803, this course provides a detailed examination of the policy process 羶 the stages through which public policies are developed. The course outlines the nature of the policy cycle and examines the formal and informal institutions and rules that affect policy actors in their deliberations and decisions. Specific attention is paid to the nature of policy communities and policy networks in Canada and their impact upon policy content and policy change.
Surveys graphical, mathematical and statistical tools with applications to policy analysis. Covers graphical techniques; algebraic relationships, descriptive statistics, probability distributions, confidence intervals; definition and interpretation of regression results.
Develops key analytical and practical skills that include use of programs such as Excel and SPSS. Identifies and frames public policy problems and structure effective research questions and study designs. Introduces to methodologies for interviews, focus groups, case studies, surveys, and how to incorporate these data sources into policy research.
Introduces the basic principles and techniques of policy analysis and examination of current public policy issues. A continuation of MPP 800. Prerequisite: PLCY 800 or MPP 800, or permission of the instructor.
In the summer term, the co-op/internship course PLCY 850 is completed as well.
Year Two
Students complete a minimum total of 30 units, including both of
Covers advanced policy analysis techniques applied by students to individual projects on current policy issues. The first course in the project component of the program. Only open to students registered in the MPP program.
Covers advanced policy analysis techniques and applied by students to individual projects on current public policy issues. This course will constitute the project component of the program. Open only to students registered in the MPP program.
In addition, four elective courses are required. The program director, in consultation with the student, selects appropriate graduate courses offered by affiliated programs and departments. To satisfy these requirements, and when appropriate, students may choose from the following PLCY courses.
Covers topics appropriate to the program but not covered extensively in the core courses.
This course provides an opportunity to cover topics appropriate to the program but not covered extensively in the core courses.
Covers topics appropriate to the program but not covered extensively in the core courses.
Specialized study in topics germane to the field of public policy.
Covers paradigms for methodological choices and the design of qualitative research for real world public policy applications; critical perspectives of qualitative methods including interviews, focus group discussions, diary methods, visual methods, experimental methods and discourse analysis.
Applies methodologies for causal relationships, covering the steps necessary to do empirical analysis. Introduces econometric methodology; model specification and hypothesis testing to relate quantitative results to policy design. Estimation methods are surveyed and practiced. Prerequisite: PLCY 805 and PLCY 806 or MPP 805 and MPP 806, or equivalent.
Theories of public management and different approaches to regulating public enterprise. Contrasts the dominant new public management theory with classical public administration, cultural, representative, and new institutionalism theories. Covers public sector ethics, tragic choices and freedom of information.
Examines the role public participation plays in public policy making and the benefits and challenges associated with 21st century public consultation. Explores public involvement in elections, non-electoral public participation in policy making, and participatory mechanisms including citizens' assemblies and social media.
Overview of aboriginal and First Nations policy issues and policy choices in BC and Canada. Examines demographic trends, social and economic data, and development issues. Rights and title, accommodation and infringement, treaty and self government issues and policies are a focus as well as socio-economic issues and problems, including those of urban people.
Examines the economic foundations of selected global issues with basic analytical tools to evaluate complex arguments. Topics are based on current international issues and cover areas such as financial flows, immigration, technology transfer, multinational companies and their role in economic development. Prerequisite: MPP 801 and MPP 802, or equivalent.
Examines health policy in Canada from a range of perspectives with a focus on the rapidly changing and increasingly politicized health care environment in which efficiency, evidence, and social justice are important driving forces. Compares the Canadian system to the US and other international jurisdictions.
Analysis, formulation, and evaluation of social policies, covering income security benefit programs. A multi-disciplinary approach encompassing economic, political, and operational perspectives that covers social policy analysis as well as the more technical aspects of formulating and evaluating programs. Prerequisite: MPP 801 and MPP 802 or equivalent.
Securing compliance represents the bulk of federal government responsibilities. How to manage these powers efficiently and effectively within the context of Canadian values; control social and economic behaviour, manage and mitigate compliance risk.
Theoretical foundations and practical procedures for analysis of public sector projects, programs, and regulations using the tools of multiple accounts and benefit-cost analysis. Critical discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the techniques. Application of the tools to current policy problems in Canada. Prerequisite: PLCY 801 and PLCY 802 or, MPP 801 and MPP 802, or equivalent.
Analysis of policy instruments to address environmental problems. Economic valuation of ecosystem goods and services. The political economy of designing and implementing environmental policies and their application with a focus on developing countries. Prerequisite: PLCY 801 and PLCY 802 or, MPP 801 and MPP 802, or equivalent.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the (residence, course work, academic progress, supervision, research competence requirement, completion time, and degree completion), as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, as shown above.
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