Public Administration

• M.A. Public Administration
• Ph.D. Public Policy
• Ph.D. Public Policy with Specialization in Political Economy
• Graduate Diplomas in Public Policy and Administration

M.A. Public Administration

About the Program

The M.A. in Public Administration is a professionally-relevant academic degree. It provides a rigorous preparation for careers in public policy and administration, recognizing that those careers may span the public, private and nonprofit sectors. It can also serve as a preparation for subsequent post-graduate education. Through the core and elective courses, the program strengthens the analytical and conceptual skills that address the political, economic, organizational, and normative aspects of public policy issues. The core courses cover material fundamental to the understanding of those issues. The electives enable students to align the program with their own personal or professional interests as defined under one of four concentrations: Policy Analysis; Public Management; Innovation, Science and the Environment; or International and Development.

Academic Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

A grade of B- or higher must normally be obtained in each course credited towards the M.A. degree. A candidate may, with the recommendation of the M.A. Supervisor and the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, be allowed a grade of C+ in courses totaling 1.0 credit.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have an undergraduate or post-graduate degree (or equivalent), with an average of B+ or higher. The level of academic performance and potential demonstrated within the degree is more important than the discipline. Indeed, students enter the program from a wide variety of backgrounds in the social sciences, humanities, sciences and engineering.

The School also considers mid-career applicants who do not satisfy this degree requirement, but who have demonstrated professional excellence over at least five years. Such applicants may use their high achievement in several designated university courses as evidence of their academic potential. These university courses are determined on an individual basis in consultation with the M.A. Supervisor. Contact the School for details.

All applicants must have completed, with a grade of B+ or higher, a 1.0-credit university course covering micro- and macroeconomic theory ( ECON 1000 [1.0] or the equivalent) and a 0.5-credit university political science course at the second-year level or higher, dealing with institutions and processes by which governments legitimize and exercise power, ideally in a Canadian setting (PSCI 2003 or equivalent). A working knowledge of algebra is also expected.

In some cases, applicants may be admitted to the program despite not having completed one of these pre-requisite courses in economics or political science, on the condition that the course be completed (with a grade of B+ or higher) in the first year of the program. Nevertheless it is strongly recommended that students complete the prerequisites before starting the program, to ensure that their progress through the core courses is unimpeded.

Students whose first language is not English, or who have not completed a previous degree at an English speaking university, must demonstrate an adequate command of English by attaining, at least: a TOEFL score of 580 written or 237 CBT (computer-based test); or 86 IBT (internet-based test) with a minimum score in each component (22 in writing, 22 in speaking, 20 in reading, and 20 in listening); or a CAEL score of 70; or an IELTS score of 7.0.

Students may receive advanced standing with transfer of credit for up to 2.5 credits. Advanced standing will be considered only for core courses. It will be determined on an individual basis in consultation with the M.A. Supervisor and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs and pursuant to Section 6.1 of the General Regulations section of this Calendar. In general, a grade of B+ or higher is necessary in the equivalent courses in order to receive advanced standing.

Program Requirements

The M.A. in Public Administration is a 7.5- credit program. Students must complete:

1. 3.5 credits of core courses;
2. 2.0 credits from courses in one of the four Concentrations offered by the School; and
3. 2.0 other approved credits.

The seven core courses are listed under A, below. Full-time students normally complete the core courses during their first two semesters of study. Part-time students normally complete the core courses before proceeding to the remainder of the program.

The courses for the four concentrations are listed under B, below.

With respect to the remaining 2.0 approved credits, students may select:

• additional courses in their chosen concentration; and/or
• electives listed under other concentrations; and/or
• graduate courses in other units (with the approval of the M.A. Supervisor); and/or
• a research essay (1.0 credit), a thesis (2.0 credits), or by taking courses from the School's Ph.D. program (with the approval of the M.A. Supervisor).
• All students will graduate with at least one area of concentration, but students may structure their program to satisfy the requirements (at least 2.0 credits) for a second concentration. In this case, each course may count towards only one concentration.
• While there is no formal second language requirement, students planning careers in or with governments in Canada are strongly encouraged to develop facility with French.
• A co-operative education option is available to full-time students in the M.A. program. Students admitted to this option must satisfactorily complete two work terms in order to graduate with a co-op designation on their transcripts and diplomas. These work terms are four months in duration and locate students in government departments or other organizations in order to work at a junior officer level. They provide students with opportunities to integrate the theoretical and practical aspects of public administration. During a work term, students will register in PADM 5913. While on a work term, students are limited to an additional 0.5 credit course. It should be noted that most co-op positions in the federal public service are restricted to Canadian citizens.

A. Core Courses

B. Concentrations

To complete a concentration, students must complete at least four of the courses (2.0 credits) listed as electives for that concentration. A course cross-listed between concentrations qualifies for either concentration but may count toward only one of them.

Ph.D. Public Policy

About the Program

The Ph.D. focuses on the study of public policy, including its formation, evolution and implementation. The primary focus is on Canada in an international or comparative context, though students interested in research with an explicitly international and comparative perspective will also find the program conducive to their work, depending on the field of specialization chosen. The program is based on the view that multi-disciplinary perspectives are essential to an understanding of the public sector and public policy-making.

The program has two primary objectives:

• to contribute to the advancement of research and teaching of public policy by drawing on various theoretical frameworks, multidisciplinary perspectives, and applied methodologies
• to develop scholars and researchers for positions in universities, private research institutions, and various other public and private organizations

Academic Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

Admission Requirements

Admission will be judged primarily on the applicant's ability to conduct advanced research and to complete the program successfully. Applications should contain at least one essay or paper at the M.A. level written by the applicant, as well as a statement of research interests and potential thesis topics.

Admission requires completion of an M.A. degree in any of public administration, political science, economics, political economy, business administration, law, or similar degree with first class standing (A- average or higher in their M.A. work).

A working knowledge of basic calculus is required for completion of the program. Assistance in acquiring these skills is provided by the program. Students requiring additional assistance should consult the Ph.D. Supervisor.

Applicants must also successfully complete prerequisites in statistics, political science, and economics as described in detail below. These prerequisites may be satisfied by the completion of appropriate course work at the intermediate undergraduate level or higher in each of the subjects listed.

Prerequisites in political science, economics and statistics must be completed prior to entry. Completed courses in political science should be approximately equivalent to PADM 5115 or PADM 5116. With permission of the Ph.D. Supervisor, this requirement may be done, as a directed study in the summer, prior to registration in the program, under the supervision of faculty in the School. Completed courses in economics should be approximately equivalent to PADM 5111. Equivalent courses may be taken at most universities throughout the academic year. Completed course in statistics should be approximately equivalent to PADM 5114. Applicants should seek advice from the Supervisor of the Ph.D. program about whether particular courses are acceptable as prerequisites.

Students whose first language is not English, or who have not completed a previous degree at an English speaking university, must demonstrate an adequate command of English by attaining, at least: a TOEFL score of 580 written, or 237 CBT (computer-based test), or 86 IBT (internet-based test) with a minimum score in each component (22 in writing, 22 in speaking, 20 in reading, and 20 in listening); or a CAEL score of 70; or an IELTS score of 7.0.

Advanced standing will not normally be granted for any of the required courses described below. If granted, advanced standing will be limited to 1.0 credit.

Program Requirements

Notes

1. Course components: courses will normally be taken in the first year. Courses taken in the area of specialization will be chosen by the student after consultation with, and approval by, the student's academic supervisor and the Ph.D. supervisor. The fields of specialization are: Public Management; Policy Analysis; Innovation, Science, and Environment; Health and Social Policy; International and Development Policy. These courses will normally be graduate courses offered by the School or by the Departments of Political Science and Economics, or directed studies (PADM 6901 and PADM 6902). However, other courses may be approved. Doctoral students taking courses at the master's level will be subject to enhanced course requirements. When necessary, students must arrange formal approval from the relevant department for admission to courses.
2. Comprehensive Examinations:   Students will write a comprehensive examination, normally in the summer term of the first year or in the fall term of the second year, after they have completed the four required courses with a GPA of 9.0 (B+) or higher.  The examination will focus on the material presented in the required courses.  At the discretion of the examining board, a candidate whose performance is not fully satisfactory may be asked to take an oral examination or a second written examination.
3. Thesis:  following the successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, students will prepare a formal thesis proposal under a committee composed of the supervisor and two other faculty members. The thesis supervisor will normally be a faculty member from the School of Public Policy and Administration. Under normal circumstances, the proposal must be defended by the end of the spring term of the second year of full-time registration. The thesis must demonstrate an advanced ability to integrate the politics and economics of public policy. The thesis must be defended at an oral examination.
4. Language Requirement: Students will be required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of French. Another language may be substituted for French, if it is relevant to the thesis. 

Graduate Diplomas in Public Policy and Administration

About the Program

The Graduate Diplomas serve the needs for continuous learning by working professionals who seek to strengthen or broaden their conceptual and technical skills in particular areas relevant to public policy and administration. Those areas are: Health Policy; Public Management; Public Policy and Program Evaluation; and Sustainable Development.

Academic Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

All candidates are required to obtain a grade of B- or higher in each course in the program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent). Normally, an average of B+ or higher is required for admission.

Students taking PADM 5111 or PADM 5112 must have completed a 1.0-credit university course covering micro- and macroeconomic theory (ECON 1000 or the equivalent).

Students taking PADM 5116 or PADM 5117 must have completed a 0.5-credit university political science course at the second-year level or higher dealing with the institutions and processes by which governments legitimize and exercise power, ideally in a Canadian setting (PSCI 2003 or equivalent). Several years of relevant professional experience in the public sector may be considered as equivalent to this prerequisite.

Students whose first language is not English, or who have not completed a previous degree at an English speaking university, must demonstrate an adequate command of English by attaining, at least: a TOEFL score of 580 written, or 237 CBT (computer-based test), or 86 IBT (internet-based test) with a minimum score in each component (22 in writing, 22 in speaking, 20 in reading, and 20 in listening); or a CAEL score of 70; or an IELTS score of 7.0.

Students may receive advanced standing without transfer of credit for up to 1.5 credits. Advanced standing will be considered only for required courses. It will be determined on an individual basis in consultation with the Diploma Supervisor and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs and pursuant to Section 6.1 of the General Regulations section of this Calendar. In general, a grade of B+ or higher is necessary in the equivalent courses in order to receive advanced standing.

Note: students in the Diploma programs are not eligible to receive university funding.

Program Requirements

The Diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation is designed to be completed in fourteen months or eighteen months, while working full-time. Students may complete the program in one of  two ways:

• Option 1 (fourteen months): Fall Term Full-time (1.0 credit), Winter Term Full-time (1.0 credit), Summer Term Part-time (0.5 credit), Fall Term Part-time (0.5 credit);
• Option 2 (eighteen months): Fall Term Full-time (1.0 credit), Winter Term Part-time (0.5 credit), Summer Term Part-time (0.5 credit), Fall Term Part-time (0.5 credit), Winter Term Part-time (0.5 credit).

Students must complete four courses (including three required) before registering in PADM 5424 [0.5 credit] Evaluation Cases and Applications.

Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca

Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca