Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy

 

This program is currently only offered at the University of Saskatchewan campus.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (PhD) offers learning and research opportunities for highly qualified students to advance knowledge and move the study of public policy forward. Students graduating from this program will be in a position to train the next generation of public service professionals and to conduct public policy and management research for government, business, think tanks, and other research organizations.

The PhD program is designed for completion in three years of full-time study. Students may also choose to study part time over a maximum of six years. In either case, the program involves a combination of course work (culminating in a comprehensive exam) and proposing, writing, and defending a dissertation. Students who are engaged in the program on a full-time basis can expect to receive financial support. The PhD program is currently being offered through the University of Saskatchewan campus only.

The school's faculty have significant research backgrounds and interests in three areas: health and social policy; science, technology, and innovation; and trade and transnational regulation. This provides opportunities for students to explore topics in areas such areas as higher education, health and social policy, Aboriginal Peoples and public policy, the social economy, international trade agreements, innovation and science policy, regulation, and economic and cultural development.

Core Courses

Students are required to complete nine credit units (three courses) from the following core set of courses:

  • PUBP 810 - Qualitative Methods and Research Design OR
  • PUBP 811 - Quantitative Methods and Research Design
  • PUBP 820 - Comparative Public Policy *
  • PUBP 830 - Decision Making in Organizations

* PUBP 820 can be satisfied by successfully completing one of the following courses - PUBP 812 (Aboriginal Peoples and Public Policy), PUBP 813 (Higher Education Policy), PUBP 814 (Social Policy: An Interdisciplinary Perspective), or PUBP 815 (Innovation Policy) offered at the University of Saskatchewan campus, or GSPP 822 (Comparative Public Policy) offered at the University of Regina campus. Students may also select a different  course with comparative policy content offered by either the University of Saskatchewan or the University of Regina and approved by the student's advisory committee.

Students who have taken one or more of these courses previously (i.e., in a master's program) will be required to substitute an additional course or courses. Students may take additional courses in a particular subject area if they wish, subject to the approval of their advisory committee.

Exams

Students entering the PhD program are required to pass a qualifying exam. This exam may be waived for students with a master's degree (with thesis) in public policy from a recognized university and for students with a master's degree (with thesis) in a cognate field (e.g., economics, political science, political sociology, public or educational administration). Normally this examination is administered within the first year, preferably within the first four months, of a student beginning the PhD program.

Students will complete a comprehensive exam following their prescribed course work. The comprehensive exam will involve the preparation of a paper and an oral exam. The paper will be linked to the research program that the student has identified. Following successful completion of the comprehensive exam, students will move to the development of a dissertation proposal, and upon its approval, to the dissertation research. Students will be given the option of using either the standard dissertation structure or the three-paper model.

Tuition

The tuition for the PhD program is $1,071 per term, and students are required to maintain continuous registration. With three terms a year, the cost is $3,213 per year plus applicable student fees. Students should plan on spending three to four years in the PhD program. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

NOTE: International students who are classified as "Students in Canada on a Student Authorization" will be assessed a $400 fee ($200 applied in each of the fall and winter terms, but not in spring/summer) to fund the International Student Advisor's Office. Please note this fee only applies to international students attending the U of S campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PhD offered by both of the JSGS campuses?
Currently, the PhD is offered only at the University of Saskatchewan campus. All information in the questions is applicable to the U of S.

When is the deadline for applying to the PhD program offered by the Johnson-Shoyama School?
The Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy is currently accepting applications for the PhD in Public Policy for September 2011. While applications submitted before May 1, 2011 will be considered in the May intake group, we urge applicants to apply by February 1, 2011 and be considered in the February intake group.

What are the admission requirements for the program?
Applicants to the PhD program must have a master's degree in public policy, public administration, or in a cognate discipline such as economics, political science, political sociology, or education administration, with a minimum average of 75 percent in that program.

To apply to the program, students must prepare a research program statement that outlines the research they would like to pursue in the area of public policy. This research program should have a well-defined problem statement, a review of the appropriate literature, an initial methodology, and a statement indicating the significance/relevance of such a research program.

Students entering the PhD program are required to pass a qualifying exam. This exam may be waived for students with a master's degree (with thesis) in public policy from a recognized university and for students with a master's degree (with thesis) in a cognate field (e.g. economics, political science, political sociology, public or educational administration). Normally this examination is administered within the first year, preferably within the first four months, of a student beginning the PhD program.

Exceptional students may be considered for a transfer from the school's MPP or MPA program to the PhD program, following completion of at least 15 credit units of the core courses required for the MPP (MPA students who wish to be considered must take MPP core courses through their electives). Students seeking a transfer will be required to pass a qualifying exam. Three letters of recommendation (typically from faculty in the school) in support of the transfer must be provided.

How many courses are required to complete the program?
Students with a master's degree (with thesis) in public policy from a recognized university are required to take at least nine credit units (three courses) of course work at the PhD level. Students who have taken one or more of the core courses previously will be required to substitute an additional course or courses.

Students accepted into the program without the public policy background will be required to complete additional courses, as deemed necessary by their committee, for their successful completion of the program. All doctoral students must actively participate in the School's seminar series (PUBP 990) and enroll in PUBP 996 (Research). In certain cases, students will be admitted on condition of satisfactory completion of all or a specified core MPA/MPP courses and/or a qualifying examination of their prerequisite background for doctoral studies in public policy.

How long do students have to complete the program?
Full-time students can expect to complete the program in approximately three years. Students have a maximum of six years to complete the program.

Is it possible to take the program part time?
Yes, the program can be taken on a part-time basis over a maximum of six years. However, it is expected that all students will spend at least one year in full-time study.

How do students register for a course?
Students must register for their courses online through PAWS (Personalized Access to Web Services), the University of Saskatchewan's intranet. New students should discuss their program with the Graduate Chair prior to registration. It is each student's responsibility to ensure that the courses they register in meet their program requirements.

How many courses does a student have to register in to be considered full time?
Graduate students in the PhD program are considered full time if they are registered in PUBP 996 (Research). Continous registration in PUBP 996 is required. It is recommended that graduate students take no more than four courses per term.

Are there any special requirements for students whose first language is not English?
Applicants from universities where English is not the regular language of instruction must demonstrate English language proficiency. Please see http://www.usask.ca/cgsr/prospective_students/requirements/english.php for more information.

What is the minimum grade allowable in graduate programs?
All graduate students must achieve a grade of no less than 60% in graduate courses, with a cumulative overall average no less than 70%. However, to retain funding offered by the JSGS, students will be required to maintain an average of at least 80%.

Is there financial assistance available?
Highly qualified doctoral students will receive funding at a competitive rate to support their research. All complete applications received by February 1, 2011, will be considered for funding.

What employment opportunities are there for PhD graduates? What tasks would I likely undertake in those jobs?
Students graduating from this program will be in a position to train the next generation of public service professionals and to conduct public policy and management research for government, business, think tanks, and other research organizations.

How much is tuition per year (12 months)?
Tuition is $1,071 per term, and students in the MPP program must be registered in each term (fall, winter, and spring/summer) for the entire length of their program. With three terms a year, the cost is $3,213 per year plus applicable student fees. Students should plan on spending three to four years in the PhD program. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Can I submit professional work references instead of academic?
All effort should be made to include three academic recommendations, preferably ones that speak to the student's ability to carry out research. Where academic references are simply not available, one professional recommendation may be included in place of an academic reference.

Do I have dental and health care coverage?
The U of S Graduate Students Association (GSA) provides information/application forms for dental/health care coverage. International students are encouraged to contact the International Students Office at the University of Saskatchewan to obtain information on obtaining a SIN, dental/health care coverage, etc.