Curriculum

The MPPGA professional program uses a mix of real-world case studies, field-based experiences and workshops to help you refine your skills across the policy lifecycle, from design and analysis through to implementation and evaluation.

Core classes build your fundamental knowledge and policy skills, a choice of three streams lets you focus your learning, and the Global Policy Project gives you the opportunity to apply your skills in the real world. The MPPGA program delivers training that balances competent specialization in one of our core areas and deep appreciation of other policy fields.

MPPGA professors draw on a range of learning methods from multiple disciplines, including lectures, seminars, case studies, field-based experiences, and professional skills workshops. Expect to engage in simulations, take part in team problem-solving exercises, and interact directly with policy makers, clients, and stakeholders.

Important

Not all stream courses are offered every year.

Graduation Requirements for students starting the program in September 2023

To earn the MPPGA degree, you must successfully complete:

  • 27 credits of required core courses
  • 15 credits from stream and elective courses
  • A Global Policy Project worth 6 credits

Core Courses

For students starting the program in September 2023:

Year 1

  • PPGA 500A Economics for Policy (3 credits)
  • PPGA 500B Economics for Policy (3 credits)
  • PPGA 503 Measurement and Data Analysis for Policy (3 credits)
  • PPGA 504 Policy Analysis and Evaluation (3 credits)
  • PPGA 505 Domestic and Global Policy Processes (3 credits)
  • PPGA 506 Public Management (3 credits)
  • PPGA 508 Policy in Context (3 credits)
  • PPGA 509 Communicating Policy (1.5 credits)
  • PPGA 510 Professional Practice in Public Policy and Global Affairs (1.5 credits)
  • PPGA 514 Research Design and Qualitative Methods (3 credits)

Year 2

  • PPGA 590 Global Policy Project (6 credits)
  •   In place of a thesis, you will participate in a Global Policy Project (PPGA 590), also known as GP2. This is your chance to apply your creative thinking and strategic design skills in the field and develop innovative policy solutions for a real-world client.


Stream One: Development And Social Change

If you aspire to drive positive change through government or a non-profit organization, this stream is for you. Your courses will provide a framework and tools for understanding economic and social change in Asia and other parts of the developing world, with emphasis on human security, poverty and gender.

All PPGA courses numbered in the 520s are part of Stream 1. Offerings change each year. For a list of current offerings, please visit our Courses page. Examples of courses offered in previous years include:

PPGA 520 Economics of Poverty (3 credits)

PPGA 521 Development and Institutions (3 credits)

PPGA 522 Development Discourses and Practices (3 credits)

PPGA 527 Corporate Social Responsibility and the Public Interest (3 credits)


Stream Two: Resources, Energy And Sustainability

If you want to engage stakeholders as sustainability leaders and influence change in the environmental sphere, choose this stream. Bridging natural and social sciences, your courses will introduce powerful approaches and tools for analyzing complex policy challenges and communicating innovative policy solutions related to climate change, renewable energy, food security and more.

All PPGA courses numbered in the 540s are part of Stream 2. Offerings change each year. For a list of current offerings, please visit our Courses page. Examples of courses offered in previous years include:

PPGA 541 Policy Dimensions of Energy Systems (3 credits)

PPGA 542 Science, Technology and Public Policy (3 credits)

PPGA 543 Sustainable Water Systems (3 credits)

PPGA 544 Economic Foundations of Environmental Policies (3 credits)


Stream Three: Global Governance And Security

If you are fascinated by foreign policy, or want to influence governance and security measures across sectors and borders, consider this stream. Your courses will take a closer look at key policy challenges related to global governance, Asia Pacific security, human rights, human migration and human security.

All PPGA courses numbered in the 560s are part of Stream 3. Offerings change each year. For a list of current offerings, please visit our Courses page. Examples of courses offered in previous years include:

PPGA 560 Global Governance: Frameworks and Policy Debates (3 credits)

PPGA 562 Resource Governance, Environment and Human Security (3 credits)

PPGA 564 Security Challenges for Asian States and People (3 credits)

PPGA 565 Nationalism, Religion and Ethnic Conflict in Asia (3 credits)

PPGA 567 Human Rights and Justice (3 credits)


Design Your Own Stream

Students with a specific area of interest that does not directly align with any one of the above streams can combine courses from multiple streams to create their own learning pathway. This unique learning plan requires approval of the Graduate Program Director.


Elective Courses

In addition to stream specific courses, students can choose from a range of elective courses. Offerings change each year. For a list of current offerings, please visit our Courses page. Examples of elective courses offered in previous years include the following:

PPGA 580 Internet and Global Affairs (3 credits)

PPGA 581 Behavioural Foundations for Public Policy (3 credits)

PPGA 582 Public Engagement in Policy Decisions (3 credits)

PPGA 583 Food Security (3 credits)

PPGA 584 Policy Responses to Global Climate Change (3 credits)

PPGA 591 Special Topics in Public Policy

Asia Concentration

The Institute of Asian Research has acted as the premier Asia-focused research institute and think tank in Canada, serving as an active hub for research, teaching, policy support, and community engagement. MPPGA students can draw on this expertise by supplementing their MPPGA stream choice with an Asia concentration. At present, this is not a formal credential but a suggested pathway for students wishing to focus their studies in this area. We recommend that you complete the following:

  1. PPGA 555 (3) Asia Policy Practice – A course with an applied-learning focus. You will engage with policy practitioners and current issues in Asia. The course is offered in sections of 1.5 credits so you can take it in various different terms across both Year 1 and Year 2.
  2. A minimum of 3 credits from the following list:
    • PPGA 523 (3) Economic Change and Reforms in Asia
    • PPGA 524 (3) Legal Change and Sustainability Challenges in Asia
    • PPGA 525 (3) Social Policy Responses to Rapid Development (Course description focuses on Asia)
    • PPGA 563 (3) Asia Pacific Human Migration and Social Change
    • PPGA 564 (3) Security Challenges for Asian States and People
    • PPGA 565 (3) Nationalism, Religion, and Ethnic Conflict in Asia
    • PPGA 566 (3) Asia Diplomacy and International Relations
    • Other Asia-related 591 special topics courses as approved by the Graduate Program Director
  3. Asia-focused Global Policy Project (GP2) - learn more on our Experiential Learning page.


Sample Course Schedule

Year 1 (Sept to April) 
Term 1Term 2
PPGA 500A - Economics for Policy (3)PPGA 500B - Economics for Policy (3)
PPGA 503 - Measurement and Data Analysis (3)PPGA 504 - Policy Analysis and Evaluation (3)
PPGA 505 - Domestic and Global Policy Processes (3)PPGA 506 - Public Management (3)
PPGA 508 - Policy in Context (3)PPGA 509 - Communicating Policy (1.5)
PPGA 510 - Professional Practice in Public Policy and Global Affairs (1.5)PPGA 514 - Research Design and Qualitative Methods (2)
Summer Between Year 1 and 2 (May to August)
Work-integrated learning through Co-op, Work Terms, United Nations Association of Canada Internships, Research Projects or Summer Term Courses
Year 2 (Sept to April)
Term 1Term 2
Stream CourseStream Course
Stream CourseElective from Outside MPPGA Program (subject to approval)
PPGA 511 Leadership for Policy Professionals (1.5)
Elective
Terms 1 + 2
PPGA 590 - Global Policy Project (GP2) (6)

View Courses for course descriptions and current offerings.

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