Top 10 Colleges For Masters In Public Policy In Canada: Eligibility & Process

A Masters in Public Policy in Canada degree trains students to implement better laws, regulations, and governmental activities. The curriculum is crafted to push students to identify problems, learn the usage of government branches to implement change, and deeply understand political factors. After graduating from this course, individuals can make careers in policy making, governance, public affairs, and international development. Wondering which are the best universities for pursuing a Masters in Public Policy in Canada? In this blog, we’ll cover that and more. Here are the top universities for a Masters in Public Policy in Canada with their entry requirements and admission process.

Top Colleges for Masters in Public Policy in Canada

1. The University of British Columbia

Program name: Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) Program details: This program by UBC equips future policy makers with a profound understanding of policy making processes by instilling a solid foundation of policy analysis, experiential learning, rigorous knowledge acquisition, and career development in individuals. The institute provides students with the option to pursue this course full time (20 months) or accelerated full time (16 months). Students can choose to gain experience in streams like Resources, Energy and Sustainability, Development and Social Change, or Global Governance and Security. This master’s course is offered by the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at UBC. Eligibility Criteria:

• A bachelor’s degree with first-class/division (65%) from a NAAC accredited institute.
• English language requirements: IELTS (7.0) or TOEFL (100)

Tuition fee: CAD 51,389

2. University of Calgary 

Program name: Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program details: This Masters in Public Policy in Canada program is a one-year accelerated program that hones the skills of students through hands-on training. The alumni of this course work in both the public and private sectors. The goal of this degree is to offer a student-centered, transformative education that equips graduates with a comprehensive set of quantitative and analytical skills, and this program is a testament to that. A leading policy school in Canada, this institute has an employment rate of over 80%. Topics covered in this course include markets and public policy, decision analysis, social policy, foreign policy analysis, globalization, and health policy. Eligibility Criteria: 

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a minimum 3.3 GPA on a scale of 4.0.
• English language proficiency: IELTS (7.5), PTE (59), TOEFL (105), Or ACC (A grade).

Tuition fee: CAD 30,200

3. University of Toronto

Program Name: Master of Public Policy Program details: This graduate program by the University of Toronto is offered under their Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. It brings together an impressive array of students and faculty for a two year full time course that bridges world and Canadian policy. Individuals get access to a wide range of career support services and have to do a paid summer internship. Over the course of this program, they learn to develop core competencies considered essential for policy practice. Students also get the opportunity to visit public sector leaders under the guidance of the faculty, which helps bridge theory and real-world experience. Eligibility criteria 

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from a recognized university with a minimum of 70%.
• GRE test scores
• English language requirements: IELTS (7.0 overall and minimum 6.5 in each) or TOEFL (93)

Tuition fee: CAD 43,960

4. Toronto Metropolitan University

Program name: MA Public Policy and Administration Program details: Placed in the heart of Canada’s largest metropolitan, the TMU provides a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration to Canadian and international students. This course gives the advantage of proximity and engagement with business and government agencies. These factors support student research, networking, and internship opportunities. An innovative program, the MA in Public Policy and Administration integrates the fields of public administration and public policy to reflect the practical experience and theoretical reality of the political context of policy development, analysis, and implementation. Eligibility criteria

• A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0.
• English language requirements: IELTS (6.5)/TOEFL (92)

Tuition fee: CAD 21,967 per year

5. University of Concordia

Program name: MA (Master of Arts) Public Policy and Public Administration Program details: This two year course. The fall intake starts in September, while the Winter intake is in January. Students can earn up to 45 credits and are supposed to do a summer internship. The coursework and events through the workshop on Social Science Research provide students with the opportunity to meet and interact with political leaders and thought leaders in the industry. Most students of this course receive paid internships with government agencies in Montreal and Ottawa. Eligibility criteria 

• Undergraduate degree with honours or its equivalent.
• English language proficiency: IELTS (6.5) and TOEFL (90).

Tuition fee: CAD 24,810

6. McGill University 

Program name: Master of Public Policy (Non-thesis/dissertation) Program details: The Max Bell School of Public Policy offers an MPP program under the Mcgill University. It is a one year program and approaches the vital issues of public policy issues in Canada and globally. This MPP course is a sought-after one amongst individuals looking to become future leaders. It is directed at early career professionals with two to five years of work experience. Eligibility criteria 

• A bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, statistics, or a similar field.
• English language requirements: IELTS (6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component)/ TOEFL (92).

Tuition fee: CAD 16,300

7. The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School

Program name: Master of Public Policy Program details: This MPP program offered by the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School is a collaboration between the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina. It provides individuals with the opportunity to conduct research and contribute to the study of Public Policy. Graduates of this course possess the research skills necessary to play integral roles in civil service, industry associations, and research organizations. Students can finish this program anywhere between 16 and 24 months. Eligibility criteria 

• A bachelor’s degree with honours from a recognized institute with a minimum of 75% in the last two years of study.
• English language requirements: IELTS (6.5)/ TOEFL (86).

Tuition fee: CAD 1970

8. Simon Fraser University

Program name: Master’s in Public Policy Program details: This Masters in Public Policy in Canada course is a two year innovative program that balances theoretical and practical applications to develop the skills needed for public policy careers in public, non-governmental, and private organizations. This degree provides a rigorous professional graduate education with strong research and analytical skills for individuals who want to enter various careers. The graduates of this master’s program have gone on to highly successful positions as managers, policy analysts, academics, researchers, and more. Offered under the School of Public Policy, it attracts an extensive group of individuals in terms of age, culture, area of study, and work experience. Eligibility criteria 

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant degree from a recognized university.
• GRE scores
• English language requirements: 93 computer-based scores for TOEFL or 580 for paper-based TOEFL.

Tuition fee: CAD 19,500

9. Queen’s University

Program name: Master of Public Administration Program details: The MPA program by Queen’s University is a one-year, full time, multi-disciplinary course. It prepares students for entry-level and mid-level careers for leadership roles in policy making and public service. The program emphasizes Public Policy and the broad political and social context within which public organizations operate. Students observe different types of leadership by meeting significant people like the Mayor and the Warden of Collins Bay Institution. Eligibility criteria 

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
• GRE scores
• English language requirements: IELTS (7.0)/TOEFL (89)

Tuition fees: CAD 48,138

10. The University of British Columbia

Program name: Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) Program details:  This Masters in Public Policy in Canada program focuses on providing individuals with opportunities to conduct research and contribute to the study of public policy. Graduates of this program possess the research skills vital to play integral roles in research organizations, civil service, and industry associations. Many students of this program go on to doctoral programs in public policy. The course can be completed in two years following the institute’s recommended pace. Eligibility criteria 

• A bachelor’s degree with honours with a minimum score of 75%.
• English language requirements: TOEFL (92)/IELTS (6.5).

Tuition fee: CAD 51,389

Admission Process for Masters in Public Policy in Canada

• Before beginning the application process for a masters course in public policy in Canada, it is vital to check out the eligibility criteria of the respective institute.
• The online application form of the universities offering an MSS course is available on their website.
• Before filling out the form, it’s beneficial to have important documents and their digital copies ready.
• These include official academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, GRE scores, Resume/CV, and English proficiency documents (IELTS/TOEFL scores).
• Students can start their application now, where they’d be asked to fill in personal information and contact information of their references.
• The application generally takes 25-30 minutes. At the end of the application, students need to pay a non-refundable application fee to the respective institute.
• Once students have submitted their applications, they can start uploading the required documents. Most universities have a separate documents tab in the application for that.
• Selected students will receive an offer of admission that they need to revert to before a specified date.
• Individuals who accept the offer can move on with the visa formalities.

Conclusion

Masters in Public Policy in Canada is offered in two forms: MSS or Master of Public Policy and MPA or Master of Policy Administration. Both these programs entail understanding the role of political and economic factors in making decisions for the public interest efficiently. The skills students learn in a Masters in Public Policy in Canada are applicable in various sectors both regionally and at local levels. The course pushes students to identify problems and understand the political factors in-depth. Most universities in Canada offer this degree as a one or two year program. The universities mentioned in this blog are the top institutes for graduate studies in public policy. Students can go through the curriculum of each and decide which one suits their requirements the best. International applicants looking to become policy leaders must go through the additional requirements on the website of the respective institute to be on the safe side. For further information on higher education and postdoctoral studies in public policy in Canada, book a free counselling session on LeapScholar today.

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