About the Program
The program has two primary objectives:
- to contribute to the advancement of research and teaching of public policy by drawing on various theoretical frameworks, multi-disciplinary perspectives, and applied methodologies
- to develop scholars and researchers for positions in universities, private research institutions, and various other public and private organizations
The Ph.D. focuses on the study of public policy, including its formation, evolution and implementation. The primary focus is on Canada in an international or comparative context. Canadian, European, and other international students interested in research with an explicitly international and comparative perspective will also find the program conducive to their work, depending on the field of specialization chosen.
The Ph.D. program is based on the view that political economy is essential to an understanding of the public sector. It is also based on the view that such multi-disciplinary perspectives are essential to an understanding of the public sector.
Academic Regulations
- See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
- A grade of B- or higher must normally be obtained in each course credited towards the M.A. degree. A candidate may, with the recommendation of the M.A. Supervisor and the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, be allowed a grade of C+ in courses totaling 1.0 credit.
Admission Requirements
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Admission will be judged primarily on the applicant's ability to conduct advanced research and to complete the program successfully. Applications should contain at least one essay or paper at the M.A. level written by the applicant, as well as a statement of research interests and potential thesis topics.
- Admission requires completion of an M.A. degree in any of public administration, political science, economics, political economy, business administration, law, or similar degree with first class standing (A- average or higher in their M.A. work).
- A working knowledge of basic calculus is required for completion of the program. Assistance in acquiring these skills is provided by the program. Students requiring additional assistance should consult the Ph.D. Co-ordinator.
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Applicants must also successfully complete prerequisites in statistics, political science, and economics as described in detail below. These prerequisites may be satisfied by the completion of appropriate course work at the intermediate undergraduate level or higher in each of the subjects listed.
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Prerequisites in political science, economics and statistics must be completed prior to entry. Completed courses in political science should be approximately equivalent to PADM 5115 or PADM 5116. With permission of the Ph.D. Supervisor, this requirement may be done, as a directed study in the summer, prior to registration in the program, under the supervision of faculty in the School. Completed courses in economics should be approximately equivalent to PADM 5111. Equivalent courses may be taken at most universities throughout the academic year. Completed course in statistics should be approximately equivalent to PADM 5114. Applicants should seek advice from the Supervisor of the Ph.D. program about whether particular courses are acceptable as prerequisites.
- Students whose first language is not English, or who have not completed a previous degree at an English speaking university, must demonstrate an adequate command of English by attaining, at least: a TOEFL score of 580 written, or 237 CBT (computer-based test), or 86 IBT (internet-based test) with a minimum score in each component (22 in writing, 22 in speaking, 20 in reading, and 20 in listening); or a CAEL score of 70; or an IELTS score of 7.0.
- Enrolment is limited and possession of the minimum requirements does not, in itself, guarantee acceptance.
- Advanced standing will not normally be granted for any of the required courses described below. If granted, advanced standing will be limited to 1.0 credit.
Program Requirements
he program consists of the following elements:
- 3.5 credits of course work;
- Preparation for and writing of one comprehensive examination, normally written in the summer term of the first year equivalent to 0.5 credit;
- Public defence of a written thesis proposal;
- A thesis equivalent to 6.5 credits;
- A language requirement.
Course Components
Courses will normally be taken in the first year. Students in the doctoral program are required to complete the following:
- 2.0 credits in: PADM 6111, PADM 6112, PADM 6113, PADM 6114. A GPA of 9.0 (B+) or better overall must be obtained in these courses before proceeding to the comprehensive examination.
- 0.5 credit in PADM 6200 Doctoral Seminar;
- 1.0 credit that constitutes one area of specialization beyond the public policy foundations covered in the core courses. These courses will be chosen by the student after consultation with, and approval by, the student's academic supervisor and the Ph.D. Co-ordinator. The fields of specialization are: Public Management; Political Economy; Innovation, Science, and Environment; Health and Social Policy; and International and Development Policy.
- These courses will normally be graduate courses offered by the School or by the Departments of Political Science and Economics, or directed studies (PADM 6901 and PADM 6902). However, other courses may be approved. Doctoral students taking courses at the master's level will be subject to enhanced course requirements. When necessary, students must arrange formal approval from the relevant department for admission to courses.
- Comprehensive Examinations - students will write a comprehensive examination, normally in the summer term of the first year. This examination will focus on the area of specialization they chose in conjunction with the two elective courses. In addition to those courses, each comprehensive examination will have a supplementary reading list. At the discretion of the examining board, a candidate whose performance is not fully satisfactory may be asked to take an oral examination or a second written examination.
- Thesis - following the successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, students will prepare a formal thesis proposal under a committee composed of the supervisor and two other faculty members. The thesis supervisor will normally be a faculty member from the School of Public Policy and Administration. Under normal circumstances, the proposal must be defended by the end of the spring term of the second year of full-time registration. The thesis must demonstrate an advanced ability to integrate the politics and economics of public policy. The thesis must be defended at an oral examination.
- Language Requirement - students will be required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of French. Another language may be substituted for French, if it is essential for the thesis.
