Public Administration
School of Public Policy and Administration
5224 River Building
Tel: 613-520-2547
carleton.ca/sppa
- M.A. Public Administration
- Ph.D. Public Policy
- Collaborative Ph.D. Public Policy with Specialization in Political Economy (Specialization requirements listed under Political Economy)
- Graduate Diplomas in Public Policy and Administration
M.A. Public Administration
About the Program
The M.A. in Public Administration is a professionally-relevant academic degree. It provides a rigorous preparation for careers in public policy and administration, recognizing that those careers may span the public, private and third sectors. It can also serve as a preparation for subsequent post-graduate education. Through the core and elective courses, the program strengthens the analytical and conceptual skills that address the political, economic, organizational, and normative aspects of public policy issues. The core courses cover material fundamental to the understanding of those issues. The electives enable students to align the program with their own personal or professional interests as defined under one of four concentrations: Policy Analysis; Public Management; Innovation, Science and the Environment; or International and Development.
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 and Postdoctoral Affairs, be allowed a grade of C+ in courses totaling 1.0 credit.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent). Normally, an average of B+ or higher is required for admission. The level of academic performance and potential demonstrated within the degree is more important than the discipline. Indeed, students enter the program from a wide variety of academic backgrounds in the social sciences, humanities, sciences and engineering. The School also considers mid-career applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree, but who have demonstrated professional excellence over a number of years of work in the public sector.
All applicants must have completed a 1.0-credit university course covering micro- and macroeconomic theory (ECON 1000 or the equivalent) and a 0.5-credit university political science course at the second-year level or higher, dealing with institutions and processes by which governments legitimize and exercise power, ideally in a Canadian setting (PSCI 2003 or equivalent). A working knowledge of algebra is also expected.
In some cases, applicants may be admitted to the program despite not having completed one of these pre-requisite courses in economics or political science, on the condition that the course be completed (with a grade of B- or higher) in the first year of the program. Nevertheless it is strongly recommended that students complete the prerequisites before starting the program, to ensure that their progress through the core courses is unimpeded.
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.
Students may receive advanced standing with transfer of credit for up to 2.5 credits. Advanced standing will be considered only for core courses. It will be determined on an individual basis in consultation with the M.A. Supervisor and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs and pursuant to Section 6.1 of the General Regulations section of this Calendar. In general, a grade of B+ or higher is necessary in the equivalent courses in order to receive advanced standing.
Note that, because of the number of applications received, possession of these admission requirements does not, in itself, guarantee admission to the program.
Program Requirements
The M.A. in Public Administration is a 7.5- credit program. Students must complete:
- 3.5 credits of core courses;
- 2.0 credits from courses in one of the four Concentrations offered by the School; and
- 2.0 other approved credits.
The seven core courses are listed under A, below. Full-time students normally complete the core courses during their first two semesters of study. Part-time students normally complete the core courses before proceeding to the remainder of the program.
The courses for the four concentrations are listed under B, below.
With respect to the remaining 2.0 approved credits, students may select:
- additional courses in their chosen concentration; and/or
- electives listed under other concentrations; and/or
- graduate courses in other units (with the approval of the M.A. Supervisor); and/or
- a research essay (1.0 credit), a thesis (2.0 credits), or by taking courses from the School's Ph.D. program (with the approval of the M.A. Supervisor).
- All students will graduate with at least one area of concentration, but students may structure their program to satisfy the requirements (at least 2.0 credits) for a second concentration. In this case, each course may count towards only one concentration.
- While there is no formal second language requirement, students planning careers in or with governments in Canada are strongly encouraged to develop facility with French.
- A co-operative education option is available to full-time students in the M.A. program. Students admitted to this option must satisfactorily complete at least two work terms in order to graduate with a co-op designation on their transcripts and diplomas. These work terms are four months in duration and locate students in government departments or other organizations in order to work at a junior officer level. They provide students with opportunities to integrate the theoretical and practical aspects of public administration. During a work term, students will register in one of the co-op work term courses: PADM 5301, PADM 5302, or PADM 5303. While on a work term, students are limited to an additional 0.5 credit course. It should be noted that most co-op positions in the federal public service are restricted to Canadian citizens.
A. Core Courses
PADM 5111 Microeconomics for Policy AnalysisPADM 5112 Macroeconomics for Policy Analysis
PADM 5113 Research Methods and Design I
PADM 5114 Research Methods and Design II
PADM 5115 Introduction to State and Society
PADM 5116 Policy Analysis and Contemporary Governance
PADM 5117 Public Management
B. Concentrations
To complete a concentration, students must complete at least four of the courses (2.0 credits) listed as electives for that concentration. A course cross-listed between concentrations qualifies for either concentration but may count toward only one of them.
Policy Analysis Concentration
The Policy Analysis Concentration provides an understanding of approaches to policy analysis in a variety of disciplines, with insights drawn from economics, political science and the policy sciences broadly understood, from Canadian and comparative perspectives. It includes not only courses that focus on the theory, methods, or practice of policy analysis, but also courses that focus on specific policy fields. For clarity, the courses are grouped under these two categories below.
Students are required to take 2.0 credits selected from:
Theory, Methods and Policy Processes
PADM 5211 Intergovernmental Relations
PADM 5212 Civil Society and Public PolicyPADM 5213 Gender and Public Policy
PADM 5214 Budgetary Policy in the Public Sector
PADM 5215 Benefit-Cost Analysis
PADM 5216 Economic Models of Politics and Public Policy
PADM 5217 Applied Microeconomic Policy Analysis
PADM 5218 Analysis of Socio-economic Data
PADM 5219 Advanced Statistical Policy Analysis
PADM 5420 Policy and Program Evaluation
Field Courses
PADM 5220 Regulation and Public PolicyPADM 5221 Health Policy in Canada
PADM 5222 Economics and Health Policy
PADM 5223 Canadian Economic Policy
PADM 5224 Aboriginal Policy
PADM 5225 Trade Policy
PADM 5226 Tax Policy
PADM 5227 Education Policy
PADM 5228 Social Policy
PADM 5229 The Health of Populations
PADM 5272 Policy Seminar (Policy Analysis Concentration)
PADM 5291 Directed Studies (Policy Analysis Concentration)
PADM 5616 Environmental Policy
Other courses as approved by the M.A. Supervisor.
Public Management Concentration
The Public Management Concentration provides an understanding of the institutions and practices of modern states. This includes theoretical and technical approaches to accountability, leadership, implementation and evaluation, fiscal control, ethics, and organizational development and analysis.
Students are required to take 2.0 credits from:
PADM 5411 Organization TheoryPADM 5412 Ethics and Accountability in the Public Sector
PADM 5413 Law of Public Authorities I
PADM 5414 Law of Public Authorities II
PADM 5415 Strategic Management in the Public Sector
PADM 5416 Budgetary Management for the Public Sector
PADM 5417 Principles of Finance
PADM 5418 Human Resources Management
PADM 5419 Industrial Relations and Public Sector Collective Bargaining
PADM 5420 Policy and Program Evaluation
PADM 5421 Globalizing Public Management
PADM 5422 Urban and Local Government
PADM 5423 Third Sector Governance and Management
PADM 5424 Evaluation Cases and Applications
PADM 5472 Policy Seminar (Public Management Concentration)
PADM 5491 Directed Studies (Public Management Concentration)
PADM 5211 Intergovernmental Relations
PADM 5215 Benefit-Cost Analysis
PADM 5814 Program and Project Management
Other courses as approved by the M.A. Supervisor
Innovation, Science and Environment Concentration
The Innovation, Science and Environment Concentration provides an understanding of the problems and opportunities that confront governments, firms and society in making and implementing innovation, science and environment policies in an increasingly knowledge and information-based economy and society.
Students are required to take 2.0 credits from:
PADM 5611 Science and Technology PoliciesPADM 5612 Industrial Policy, Innovation and Sustainable Production
PADM 5613 Science, Risk and Evaluation
PADM 5614 Natural Resource Management
PADM 5615 Politics and Policy of Energy in Canada
PADM 5616 Environmental Policy
PADM 5617 Implementing Sustainable Development in Industrialized Countries
PADM 5618 Environmental and Ecological Economics
PADM 5619 Urban Sustainability
PADM 5620 The Science, Politics and Economics of Global Climate Change
PADM 5672 Policy Seminar (Innovation, Science and Environment Concentration)
PADM 5691 Directed Studies (Innovation, Science and Environment Concentration)
PADM 5220 Regulation and Public Policy
Other courses as approved by the M.A. Supervisor.
International and Development Concentration
The International and Development Concentration provides an understanding of the problems and opportunities confronting citizens, national administrative systems and policy makers in different types of economies in an increasingly integrated and competitive world.
Students are required to take 2.0 credits from:
PADM 5811 The International Policy FrameworkPADM 5812 Governance in Developing Countries
PADM 5813 The Evolution of World Bank/IMF Policy Conditionality
PADM 5814 Program and Project Management
PADM 5815 Civil Society Organizations and Development
PADM 5816 Program Evaluation in Developing Countries
PADM 5817 Health Policy in Developing Countries
PADM 5818 Theories of Development
PADM 5872 Policy Seminar (International and Development Concentration)
PADM 5891 Directed Studies (International and Development Concentration)
PADM 5213 Gender and Public Policy
PADM 5225 Trade Policy
PADM 5421 Globalizing Public Management
Other courses as approved by the M.A. Supervisor.
Ph.D. Public Policy
About the Program
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, though 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 program is based on the view that multi-disciplinary perspectives are essential to an understanding of the public sector and public policy-making..
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
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
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. Supervisor.
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.
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.
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.
Enrolment is limited and possession of the minimum requirements does not, in itself, guarantee acceptance.
Program Requirements
The 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. Supervisor. The fields of specialization are: Public Management; Policy Analysis; 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 (including the Collaborative Ph.D. in Political Economy) 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. A GPA of 9.0 (B+) or higher overall must be obtained in the required courses before proceeding to the comprehensive 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 relevant to the thesis.
Graduate Diplomas in Public Policy and Administration
About the Program
The Graduate Diplomas serve the needs for continuous learning by public servants and other professionals who seek to strengthen or broaden their conceptual and technical skills in particular areas of public policy and administration. Those areas are: Health Policy; Public Management; Public Policy and Program Evaluation; and Sustainable Development.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
All candidates are required to obtain a grade of B- or higher in each course in the program.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent). Normally, an average of B+ or higher is required for admission.
Students taking PADM 5111 or PADM 5112 must have completed a 1.0-credit university course covering micro- and macroeconomic theory (ECON 1000 or the equivalent).
Students taking PADM 5116 or PADM 5117 must have completed a 0.5-credit university political science course at the second-year level or higher dealing with the institutions and processes by which governments legitimize and exercise power, ideally in a Canadian setting (PSCI 2003 or equivalent). Several years of relevant professional experience in the public sector may be considered as equivalent to this prerequisite.
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.
Note: students in the Diploma programs are not eligible to receive university funding.
Program Requirements
Each of the Diplomas comprises 3.0 credits. The composition of the required and elective courses varies by specialization, as outlined below. The Diplomas are designed to be completed in two years while working full-time, although students may take the program on either a part-time or full-time basis.
Public Policy and Program Evaluation
Students must complete:
- 2.0 credits of required courses:
- PADM 5113 Research Methods and Design I
- PADM 5114 Research Methods and Design II
- PADM 5420 Policy and Program Evaluation
- PADM 5424 Evaluation Cases and Applications
- 1.0 credit in electives from the following list:
- PADM 5116 Policy Analysis and Contemporary Governance
- PADM 5117 Public Management
- PADM 5213 Gender and Public Policy
- PADM 5215 Benefit-Cost Analysis
- PADM 5217 Applied Microeconomic Policy Analysis
- PADM 5218 Analysis of Socio-economic Data
- PADM 5219 Advanced Statistical Policy Analysis
- PADM 5220 Regulation and Public Policy
- PADM 5272 Policy Seminar (Policy Analysis)
- PADM 5411 Organization Theory
- PADM 5415 Strategic Management in the Public Sector
- PADM 5416 Budgetary Management for the Public Sector
- PADM 5472 Policy Seminar (Public Management)
- PADM 5613 Science, Risk and Evaluation
- PADM 5812 Governance in Developing Countries
- PADM 5813 The Evolution of World Bank/IMF Policy
- PADM 5814 Program and Project Management
- PADM 5816 Program Evaluation in Developing Countries
Other PADM courses as approved by the M.A. Supervisor.
Public Management
Students must complete:
- 0.5 credit in required course PADM 5117 Public Management
- 2.5 credits electives from the following list:
- PADM 5411 Organization Theory
- PADM 5412 Ethics and Accountability in the Public Sector
- PADM 5413 Law of Public Authorities I
- PADM 5414 Law of Public Authorities II
- PADM 5415 Strategic Management in the Public Sector
- PADM 5416 Budgetary Management for the Public Sector
- PADM 5417 Principles of Finance
- PADM 5418 Human Resources Management
- PADM 5419 Industrial Relations and Public Sector Collective Bargaining
- PADM 5420 Policy and Program Evaluation
- PADM 5421 Globalizing Public Management
- PADM 5422 Urban and Local Government
- PADM 5423 Third Sector Governance and Management
- PADM 5472 Policy Seminar (Public Management)
Other PADM courses as approved by the M.A. Supervisor.
Sustainable Development
Students must complete 3.0 credits in:
- 0.5 credit in required course PADM 5112 Macroeconomics for Policy Analysis
- 2.5 credits electives from the following list:
- PADM 5611 Science and Technology Policies
- PADM 5612 Industrial Policy, Innovation and Sustainable Production
- PADM 5613 Science, Risk and Evaluation
- PADM 5614 Natural Resource Management
- PADM 5615 Politics and Policy of Energy in Canada
- PADM 5616 Environmental Policy
- PADM 5617 Implementing Sustainable Development in Industrialized Countries
- PADM 5618 Environmental and Ecological Economics
- PADM 5619 Urban Sustainability
- PADM 5620 The Science, Politics and Economics of Global Climate Change
- PADM 5672 Policy Seminar (Innovation, Science and Environment)
- PADM 5220 Regulation and Public Policy
Other PADM courses as approved by the M.A. Supervisor.
Health Policy
Students must complete 3.0 credits in:
- 1.0 credit in required courses:
- 1.5 credits electives from the following list:
- PADM 5221 Health Policy in Canada
- PADM 5222 Economics and Health Policy
- PADM 5229 The Health of Populations
- PADM 5817 Health Policy in Developing Countries
- 0.5 credit in other PADM courses as approved by the M.A. Supervisor.
