This section presents the requirements for programs in:

• Master of Public Policy and Administration
• Master of Public Policy and Administration with Collaborative Specialization in Data Science
• Master of Public Policy and Administration with Concentration in Indigenous Policy and Administration
• Master of Public Policy - Sustainable Energy and the Environment
• Master of Public Policy - Sustainable Energy and the Environment with Collaborative Specialization in Climate Change
• Ph.D. Public Policy
• Ph.D. Public Policy with Collaborative Specialization in Political Economy
• Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Policy and Administration
• Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation

Admission

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 grade average 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 a 0.5 credit university course covering microeconomic theory (ECON 1001 or equivalent) and a 0.5 credit university course in macroeconomic theory (ECON 1002 or equivalent) with an average grade over the two theory courses of B+ or higher. Applicants must also complete, with a grade of B+ or higher, 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 proficiency in the English language.  (See Section 3.6 of the General Regulations section of this Calendar for details.)

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 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 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.

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

Admission

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 proficiency in the English language. (See Section 3.6 of the General Regulations section of this Calendar for details.)

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.

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

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.

Regularly Scheduled Break

For immigration purposes, the summer term (May to August) for the

• Master of Public Policy in  Sustainable Energy and the Environment (coursework pathway)
• Master of Public Policy in Sustainable Energy and the Environment with Collaborative Specialization in Climate Change (coursework pathway) 

is considered a regularly scheduled break approved by the University. Students should resume full-time studies in September.

Note: a Regularly Scheduled Break as described for immigration purposes does not supersede the requirement for continuous registration in Thesis, Research Essay, or Independent Research Project as described in Section 8.2 of the Graduate General Regulations.

Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

Co-operative Education

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.