UBC’s MPPGA program offers an exceptional opportunity to examine complex political, socioeconomic, environmental and cultural issues from a global perspective, while taking into account important regional and local dynamics.
Core classes in year one focus on building fundamental policy skills with broad applicability. In year two, tailor your learning to your area of interest with electives in one or all of our three streams.
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.
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.
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.
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.