Master of Public Policy fact sheet - Johnson-Shoyama Graduate ...

Master of Public Policy (MPP)About the MPP ProgramThe Master of Public Policy (MPP), accredited bythe Canadian Association of Programs in PublicAdministration (CAPPA), provides students withopportunities to conduct research and contribute tothe study of public policy and the application of policyexpertise in the real world. Students graduating fromthis program possess the research skills necessaryto play integral roles in the civil service, researchorganizations and industry associations. Top studentsfrom this program may go on to doctoral programs inpublic policy.The program is designed so that students can finish in aslittle as 16-24 months studying full time. Upon entry intothe program, each student is assigned a research advisorand an advisory committee.The school’s scholarly work includes: public processintelligence, budgets and public finance, multi-levelgovernance, agenda setting, decision making, ethicalleadership and good governance, all within the contextof the faculty’s substantive research areas (socialpolicy, health policy, innovation policy, public sectormanagement, resource and environmental policy, andtrade and immigration policy).Students entering the program are required toparticipate in the “Get Connected!” academicorientation event offered in the fall.MATTHEW JURCZAK, MPP-HSR GRADUATE, UNIVERSITY OF REGINA CAMPUSProgram CurriculumThe MPP is a research-based degree that involves a combinationof course work, research and the writing of a thesis. Studentsare required to complete a minimum of 15 credit units of coursework. Once an applicant has been admitted, the program ofstudy (i.e., selection of appropriate courses) will be determined.The program of study must contain:Minimum one course (3 credit units) from the following:> JSGS 805 - Economics for Public Policy Analysis> JSGS 862 - Political Economy> JSGS 865 - Decision Making in OrganizationsMinimum one course (3 credit units) from the following:> JSGS 803 - Quantitative Methods> JSGS 851 - Qualitative MethodsMinimum one course (3 credit units) from the following:> JSGS 806 - Public Policy Analysis> JSGS 867 - Advanced Policy AnalysisMinimum one course (3 credit units) from the following:> JSGS 817 - Health Policy> JSGS 849 - Social Economy and Public Policy> JSGS 854 - Higher Education Policy> JSGS 859 - Innovation Policy> JSGS 864 - Social Policy: Interdisciplinary PerspectivesThe remaining elective course (3 credit units) must beselected from the courses offered by the school and canbe taken at either campus. For all courses taken, the rulesand regulations of the university through which the courseis taken will apply to the student. For a complete list ofcourses, please visit www.schoolofpublicpolicy.sk.ca.“The MPP program at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy afforded me a high-quality education andprovided a high level of interaction and support from my supervisor. With strong ties to the provincial government, the schoolprovided me with a unique and valuable internship experience in government that allowed me to apply the skills I learned inclass. In addition, working in a smaller organization as an intern exposed me to high-level decision making and allowed fordaily interaction with senior managers and policy makers. I am confident that the skills I acquired in class and through myinternship will enable me to succeed as I start my career.”Master of Public Policy (MPP)Matthew has also attained his BA (Hons), History, University of Toronto, 2009

“Strong faculty, a close-knit academic community and competitive funding drew me into the MPP program at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate Schoolof Public Policy. The quality of education has been first rate, and the professoriate has encouraged students to go beyond traditional disciplinary lines, toseek innovative solutions to complex problems.”Paul has also attained his BA (Hons), Economics and Political Science, University of Toronto, 2007PAUL BRETSCHER, MPP GRADUATE, UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN CAMPUSStudents must also register in the two following courses:> JSGS 990 (U of S) or JSGS 990AB (U of R) Public Policy Seminar Series(continuous registration required)> JSGS 994 Research (U of S - continuous registration required) orJSGS 901 Research (U of R)In their first term of study, students at the U of S campus must alsocomplete GSR 960 Introduction to Ethics and Integrity, while students atthe U of R campus must complete GRST 800AA Academic Integrity Tutorial.These are non-credit courses required by Graduate Studies and Research ateach campus and are offered at no cost to the student. Students may takeadditional courses in a particular subject area if they wish, subject to theapproval of their advisory committee.Health Services Research Stream (MPP-HSR)The Master of Public Policy Health Services Research Stream (MPP-HSR) is athesis-based program that equips students with the knowledge to addressthe research needs of a wide range of health care policy makers, and providesthem with the opportunity to conduct applied health services research. Thisprogram is offered only at the school’s University of Regina campus.Students enrolled in the MPP-HSR stream are required to follow thefollowing program of study:Three required core courses (9 credit units):> JSGS 803 - Quantitative Methods> JSGS 805 - Economic Analysis for Public Policy> JSGS 860 - Health System Research MethodsOne of the following two courses (3 credits units):> JSGS 806 - Public Policy Analysis> JSGS 851 - Qualitative MethodsOne course from the following list (3 credit units):> JSGS 817 - Health Policy> JSGS 827 - Health Care Organization and Administration> JSGS 832 - Population-Based Health Program Management> JSGS 833 - Performance Measurement in Health-Care Organizations> JSGS 837 - Health EconomicsHealth services research seminar, bi-weekly, fall and winter terms (0 credit units)> JSGS 990AA - expected to attend and participate in at least 80% of seminarsThesis research and writing (15 credit units)> JSGS 900 - Thesis, supervised by Canada Research Chair and ProfessorGregory P. MarchildonStudents in the MPP-HSR may also be eligible for funding through theWestern Regional Training Centre in Health Services Research (WRTC). Theapplication process is competitive, and students are selected on the basisof academic performance. In addition to the academic requirements ofthe program, WRTC-funded students are also expected to:> attend conferences as directed by WRTC site director;> present their research results at WRTC-sponsored events, institutesand conferences; and> complete a four-month working field placement with one of the WRTCpartners.Please note that the MPP program is subject to revision at any time. Forthe most current information on the program, please visit our website.InternshipsThe Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy offers MPPstudents the opportunity to enhance their post-graduate work withan internship in areas such as the federal and provincial public service,municipal and local governments, and in health services research. Themany concrete benefits to interns in the Johnson-Shoyama ExecutiveInternship Program include initial internship placement, valuable careerpreparation and experience, the development of an extensive professionalnetwork, as well as accelerated professional growth and advancement.Application QualificationsUniversity of Regina: To meet the entrance requirements of the Facultyof Graduate Studies and Research, all applicants must have completed afour-year undergraduate degree in any area with a cumulative average ofat least 75%.University of Saskatchewan: Applicants must have completed a four-yearundergraduate degree from a recognized university. To meet the basicprogram requirements, an average of 75% or better must be maintainedduring the final two years (60 credit units) of the undergraduate programor in the graduate program if students are entering the MPP after agraduate degree.Program CompetitivenessAdmission to the MPP program is very competitive. The number ofapplications received greatly exceeds the number of available places,and not all qualified applicants will be offered admission (i.e., successfulcandidates will typically have an average in excess of 80% [or lower firstclass]). Typically, six to eight students are admitted each year per campus.Additional InformationStudents will enter the program from a wide variety of disciplinesincluding everything from the fine arts to the humanities to thesocial sciences to the physical sciences to the professional collegedisciplines. Because concepts derived from micro-economics andstatistics are used in parts of the program, students without a backgroundin these areas are encouraged to take additional instruction.Application DeadlinesAll students accepted into the MPP program begin in September.There are two application deadlines: February 1 and May 1.FundingHighly qualified students can expect to receive funding at a competitive rate.To be eligible for funding, students must commit to completing the programover a maximum of two academic years. All complete applications receivedby February 1 will be considered for funding. Complete applications receivedby May 1 will be considered for any remaining funding.For more information regarding this program, including courses, prerequisites and tuition, please visit www.schoolofpublicpolicy.sk.caPrinted March, 2013