masters in social policy canada

Social Policy graduate and post-graduate programs and degrees offered in Canada.

A masters is the first level of graduate coursework and can be obtained after you receive a bachelor’s degree. Earning a masters usually requires two years of full-time study, which amounts to 36 to 54 semester credits.

Public policy is the study of how laws, rules, and regulations are created by governmental organizations. It might include the study of municipalities, regional governments, or national bodies, as well as political and nongovernmental organizations.

Canadians place great importance on learning, and have developed a first-rate education system with high standards. Not only does Canada provide a safe, clean environment, but it has been consistently ranked as one of the world’s best places to live in terms of quality of life by the UN.

Top Master Programs in Public Policy in Canada 2021

General

Locations

The University of British ColumbiaAll LocationsVancouver, CanadaDurationRequest InfoEarliest Start DateSep 2021Application DeadlineRequest InfoLanguagesEnglishTuition FeesRequest InfoIf you represent this school and need to update this information,

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UBC’s 20-month, professional Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) program at the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs equips future policy makers with a deep understanding of policy-making processes and the interconnectedness of global networks to address complex public policy challenges and drive meaningful change, both locally and globally.

Gain expertise in development and social change, sustainability, and global governance, and graduate ready to drive policy change in industry, government or non-profits anywhere in the world.

Our unique curriculum encourages creativity, innovation, and collaboration by seamlessly integrating learning and practical experiences. A signature component of the MPPGA program is the Global Policy Project, which combines policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, teamwork, and field-based experiences to address a real-world policy challenge. Expect a mix of case studies, field visits, workshops, case competitions, and other hands-on activities throughout the program to help shape you as a leading global change maker.

Established in 2003, the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University consists of the Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) graduate program and the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR). Simon Fraser University is one of Canada’s leading universities, ranked first amongst comprehensive universities many times by Maclean’s Magazine.

Located at SFU’s Harbour Centre Campus in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Master’s in Public Policy is an innovative two-year graduate program that balances theory and practical application to develop the skills needed for public policy careers in public, private, and non-governmental organizations. The program mandate is to provide a rigorous professional graduate education with strong research and analytical skills for those who want to enter a variety of careers in service of the public. Our graduates have gone on to highly successful positions as policy analysts, managers, researchers, academics, and more.

OVERVIEW OF MASTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM

Our program is founded on an educational model that is academically rigorous, cross disciplinary and professionally relevant. Our program combines a solid foundation in economics, political science, and qualitative and quantitative research methods at an advanced level with practical application to a wide range of important and topics public policy issues. Our graduates are expert at scrutinizing a problem, interpreting and analyzing relevant data, then evaluating alternative paths of action.

As a cohort-based program, our students learn through a combination of group and individual projects, assignments, and presentations that foster a collegial environment where we engage with external agencies and organizations in a variety of ways that keeps the program focused on the issues of the day.  The mandatory summer Co-op term between first and second year of the program provides students with a mid-course reality check, practical experience, and an introduction to future employers. Key elements of the MPP program are specialized field courses taken in the second year and the capstone research project that addresses a public policy problem and analysis of potential solutions.

The program attracts a diverse group of students in terms of area of study, age, cultural, and work experience backgrounds. This enhances the learning experience for all students in the cohort, strengthens relationships with civil society and assists in meeting employer demand for adaptability and collaboration among employees.

ABOUT OUR FACULTY

Experienced faculty tailor their courses to provide an integrated body of cross-disciplinary knowledge and analytical skills with clear relevance to modern policy problems. Our faculty are trained in political science, economics, law, sociology, and other relevant disciplines. Our experienced faculty have many years of academic success in research and publishing, along with very strong track records in advising and working for governments on challenging policy problems. Our newer faculty bring innovative research and teaching practices to the program. The faculty also produce extensive media comment and analysis on topical policy problems; many have been directly or indirectly responsible for policy innovations adopted by governments at all levels.