Qualification for the MPA degree requires the successful completion of either the MPA Full-time or the Professional MPA program, in accordance with the regulations of the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. Both programs are described below.

NOTE: Most courses are 3.0 credit units in weight; however MPA 808, MPA 823 and MPA 824 are 1.5 credit units in weight.  MPA 825 is 6.0 credit units in weight.

1. Full time MPA Program (MPA) 

Students in the MPA program must complete 36 credit hour (or 12 half-course credits).

Core Courses:

MPA students normally complete six required courses in three groups (all courses are 3.0 credit units):

a. Political and Institutional Analysis

• MPA 800 Governing Institutions
• MPA 802 Approaches to Policy Analysis
• MPA 810 Policy Challenges

b. Economic and Quantitative Analysis

• MPA 804 Principles of Economics
• MPA 805 Quantitative Analysis

AND at least one of

• MPA 815 Economic Analysis
• MPA 816 Quantitative Program Evaluation
• MPA 840 Economics of Social Policy
• MPA 849 Behavioural Public Finance 

c. Management

• MPA 809 Management in the Public Sector

Where an MPA student can demonstrate an adequate background in the subject matter of MPA 800, MPA 804, MPA 805 or MPA 809, the student may receive an exemption from that course. Students exempted from MPA 804 may replace it with one of MPA 815, MPA 840, MPA 844, MPA 849 or a broadly based policy-oriented course in the Department of Economics approved by the MPA Program Director. Students exempted from MPA 805 will replace it with MPA 816.

Optional Courses:

MPA students complete the remaining requirements by taking optional courses offered by the School of Policy Studies or other departments within the School of Graduate Studies or the Faculty of Law.  In exceptional cases, a student may be permitted to take an undergraduate course. Optional course choices offered by other departments are subject to approval by the course instructor and the MPA Program Director. Students may choose to complete a Master's Project, in lieu of two optional half-courses.

2. Professional MPA Program (PMPA)

The newly revised 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.

Core Courses:

PMPA students normally complete six (3 credit) courses and two (1.5 credit) courses within four groups:

 a. Public Sector Leadership

• MPA 823 Concepts of Leadership
• MPA 824 Leadership in Practice

 b. Analytical Tools

• MPA 804 Principles of Economics
• MPA 806 Analytical Tools for Policy Research
• MPA 802 Approaches to Policy Analysis

 c. Governance and Management

• MPA 800 Governing Institutions
• MPA 809 Management in the Public Sector

 d. Integration

• MPA 825 Team Leadership Project

Where a PMPA student can demonstrate an adequate background in the subject matter of one or more of the core courses, the student may receive an exemption from that course.

Optional Courses:

Professional MPA students complete the remaining requirements by taking optional courses offered by the School of Policy Studies or other departments within the School of Graduate Studies or the Faculty of Law. Optional course choices offered by other departments are subject to approval by the course instructor and the MPA Program Director. Students may choose to complete a Master's Project, in lieu of two optional half-courses.