Public Administration

• Master of Public Policy and Administration
• Master of Public Policy and Administration with Concentration in Indigenous Policy and Administration
• Ph.D. Public Policy
• Ph.D. Public Policy with Specialization in Political Economy
• Graduate Diplomas in Public Policy and Administration
  • Health Policy
  • Indigenous Policy and Administration
  • Public Management
  • Public Policy and Program Evaluation
  • Sustainable Development

Master of Public Policy and Administration

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.P.P.A. A candidate may, with the recommendation of the M.P.P.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.P.P.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 prerequisite courses in economics or political science, on the condition that the course be extra to the degree requirements and 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.

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:

a) Present an official transcript to indicate that they have completed a degree within the past three years in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English, and where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was exclusively English;

b) Provide official documentation of a satisfactory English proficiency test score.  Minimum scores for the program are: CAEL: 70; TOEFL (paper-based test): 600; TOEFL (computer-based test): 250; TOEFL (internet-based test): 100, with a minimum score of 25 on each component; IELTS: 7, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band score.

Applicants to the Master of Public Policy and Administration may be considered for admission to an Advanced Completion Option of the Master of Public Policy and Administration based on their demonstrated academic excellence in university courses deemed equivalent to the core courses of the program.  This option will be determined on an individual basis in consultation with the M.P.P.A. Supervisor and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs and pursuant to Section 6.1 of the General Regulations section of this Calendar. Admission to the Master of Public Policy and Administration Advanced Completion Option may require courses in addition to the 5.0 credit program requirements.

Master of Public Policy and Administration Accelerated Pathway

The accelerated pathway in the Master of Public Policy and Administration is a flexible and individualized plan of graduate study.  Students in their final year of the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management with Specialization in Public Policy and Administration who have demonstrated academic excellence and an aptitude for research may qualify.  Students in their third year of study in the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management with Specialization in Public Policy and Administration should consult with both their undergraduate supervisor and the M.P.P.A Supervisor to determine if the accelerated pathway is appropriate for them and to confirm their selection of courses in their final year of undergraduate study.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

1. PADM 5000-level courses with a grade of B+ or higher;
2. Minimum overall CGPA of 10.4 in the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management with Specialization in Public Policy and Administration.

Students may receive advanced standing with transfer of credit of up to 1.0 credit which can reduce their time to completion.   

Program Requirements

Full-time students normally focus on the core courses during their first two semesters of study, and complete the core in the fall of second year. Part-time students normally complete the core courses before proceeding to the remainder of the program. Students are encouraged to focus their approved electives within particular clusters of courses (See School website for details).

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.P.P.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, which does not count towards the program requirements. 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.

Master of Public Policy and Administration with Concentration in Indigenous Policy and Administration (7.0 credits)

To complete the M.P.P.A. program with a concentration in Indigenous Policy and Administration, students should notify the M.P.P.A. Supervisor normally during the first two semesters of the program.

Ph.D. Public Policy

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 5120 or PADM 5121. 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 5127. Equivalent courses may be taken at most universities throughout the academic year. Completed course in statistics should be approximately equivalent to PADM 5126. Applicants should seek advice from the Supervisor of the Ph.D. program about whether particular courses are acceptable as prerequisites.

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:                

a) Present an official transcript to indicate that they have completed a degree within the past three years in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English, and where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was exclusively English;    

b) Provide official documentation of a satisfactory English proficiency test score. Minimum scores for the program are: CAEL: 70; TOEFL (paper-based test): 600; TOEFL (computer-based test): 250; TOEFL (internet-based test): 100, with a minimum score of 25 on each component; IELTS: 7, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band score.

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

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.

The Graduate Diploma (Type 2) in Indigenous Policy and Administration may be taken concurrently with another graduate degree at Carleton University.

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 5127 or PADM 5128 must have completed a 1.0-credit university course covering micro- and macroeconomic theory (ECON 1000 or the equivalent).

Students taking PADM 5121 or PADM 5122 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.

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:

a) Present an official transcript to indicate that they have completed a degree within the past three years in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English, and where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was exclusively English;

b) Provide official documentation of a satisfactory English proficiency test score. Minimum scores for the program are: CAEL: 70; TOEFL (paper-based test): 600; TOEFL (computer-based test): 250; TOEFL (internet-based test): 100, with a minimum score of 25 on each component; IELTS: 7, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band score.

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

Each of the Diplomas comprises 3.0 credits. The composition of the required and elective courses varies by specialization, as outlined below. The Diplomas are designed to be completed in two years while working full-time, although students may take the program on either a part-time or full-time basis.

The Diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation is designed to be completed in sixteen months, while working full-time. The program is divided into two parts: four applied courses; and a two-course practicum.  Students must be registered in the Diploma and have completed the four applied courses before registering in PADM 5445 and PADM 5446.