Program Description
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) provides students with opportunities to conduct research and contribute to the study of public policy and the application of policy expertise in the real world. Students graduating from this program possess the research skills necessary to play integral roles in the civil service, research organizations and industry associations. Top students from this program may go on to doctoral programs in public policy.
Following the School's recommended pace, the program can be completed in two years, studying full time. Upon entry into the program, each student is assigned a research advisor and an advisory committee.
Students entering the MPP program are required to participate in the Get Connected! academic orientation for new students, which is held in early September.
The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS) made changes to the MPP program, which takes effect for students enrolled in the fall 2018 semester. Those MPP students who started the program prior to then will be required to meet the program as it was constructed when they were admitted.
Research
As one of Canada's leading schools for policy analysis and research, the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy is making a difference by concentrating its research capacity on three main priority areas:
JSGS faculty are committed to encouraging student involvement on research projects, grant applications, seminar series, and other opportunities for knowledge translation. As such the school has on average three to five fully funded fellowships to support Master of Public Policy and doctoral students.
Research Supervisors
It is not necessary to find a potential supervisor before you begin an application. The list below though may be helpful to learn about which JSGS faculty are accepting students for the upcoming academic year and in what areas of research focus.
| JSGS Faculty | Campus | Availability/Areas of research interest |
| Martin Boucher | University of Saskatchewan | Martin Boucher is currently accepting applications from new PhD, MPP, and GENI students for September 2023 in the following research areas: northern energy transitions, energy justice, post-secondary education policy, and skills and competency advancement. |
| Jim Farney | University of Regina | Jim Farney is currently accepting applications from new PhD or MPP students for September 2023 in the areas of: Canadian education policy, provincial institutional and governance change, and Canadian political development. |
| Vince Hopkins | University of Saskatchewan | Vince Hopkins is currently accepting applications from new MPP students for September 2023. Please complete the online form here: www.vincehopkins.com/supervision |
| Margot Hurlbert | University of Regina | Margot Hurlbert is currently accepting applications from new PhD and/or MPP students for September 2023 in the following research areas: climate change, energy and sustainability policy. |
| Iryna Khovrenkov | University of Regina | Iryna Khovrenkov is currently accepting applications only from new MPP students for September 2023 in the following research areas: philanthropy and grantmaking, nonprofit finance, and community well-being. |
| Ramona Kyabaggu | University of Regina | Ramona Kyabaggu is currently accepting applications from new MPP students for September 2023 in the following research areas: implementation science, health service utilization, virtual care, learning health systems, health funding and reimbursement methodologies, blockchain in healthcare, secondary research, and population health/epidemiological research. |
| Justin Longo | University of Regina | Justin Longo is currently accepting applications from new PhD or MPP students for September 2023 in the following research areas: digital governance (especially the use of artificial intelligence and robotics by the public sector), policy analytics, and improving public sector management using technology. |
| Akram Mahani | University of Regina | Akram Mahani is currently accepting applications from new PhD and MPP students for September 2023 in the following research areas: Healthy sustainable cities and communities for all; multi-sectoral collaboration for improving population health outcomes; healthy public policies; integrated care with a focus on integrating public health and primary care; and health impact assessment. |
| Yang Yang | University of Saskatchewan | Yang Yang is currently accepting applications from new PhD and MPP students for September 2023 in the following research areas: Food policy, Consumer behaviour, Experimental economics, and Science communication. |
| Amy Zarzeczny | University of Regina | Amy Zarzeczny is currently accepting applications from new PhD and MPP students for September 2023 in the following research areas: health law and policy, health policy, medical innovation, and science policy. Students with an interest in regenerative medicine, virtual healthcare, and professional regulation are particularly encouraged to apply. |
| JSGS Associate Members | Campus | Availability/Areas of research interest |
| Dionne Pohler | University of Saskatchewan | Dionne Pohler is currently accepting applications from new PhD and MPP students for September 2022 in the following research areas: co-operative development, organizational governance, rural economic and social development, labour and employment law, labour and social policy design and implementation. |
Courses
The MPP is a research-based degree that involves a combination of course work, research, and the writing of a thesis. Students are required to complete a minimum of 15 credit units of course work. Once an applicant has been admitted, the program of studies (i.e., selection of appropriate courses) will be determined.
Minimum two courses (6 credit units) from the following:
- JSGS 805 - Economics for Public Policy Analysis
- JSGS 862 - Political Economy
- JSGS 865 - Decision Making in Organizations
- JSGS 869 - Ideas in Public Policy Analysis
Minimum one course (3 credit units) from the following:
- JSGS 806 - Public Policy Analysis
- JSGS 867 - Advanced Policy Analysis
- or another course on policy analysis as recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Graduate Chair
Minimum one course (3 credit units) from the following:
- JSGS 803 - Quantitative Methods
- JSGS 851 - Qualitative Methods
- or another methods course as recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Graduate Chair
Minimum one course (3 credit units) from the following:
- JSGS 817 - Health Policy
- JSGS 846 - Co-operatives in the New Economy: Institutions, Policy and Sustainability
- JSGS 849 - Social Economy and Public Policy
- JSGS 854 - Higher Education Policy
- JSGS 859 - Innovation Policy
- JSGS 863 - Indigenous Peoples and Public Policy
- JSGS 864 - Social Policy: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
- JSGS 870 - Water Policy in an Age of Uncertainty
- or another policy course as recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Graduate Chair
Students at the U of R campus must also complete:
- JSGS 990AB - Public Policy Seminar Series (continuous registration required)
- JSGS 901 - Research (registration is required after coursework completion)
- GRST 800AA - Academic Integrity Tutorial This is a non-credit, online course required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research and is at no cost to the student. Students are required to complete the course in their first term of study.
Students at the U of S campus must also complete:
- JSGS 990 - Public Policy Seminar Series (continuous registration required)
- JSGS 994 - Research (continuous registration required)
- GPS 960 - Introduction to Ethics and Integrity This is a non-credit, online course required by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and is at no cost to the student. Students are required to complete the course in their first term of study.
Application Qualifications
Students will enter the program from a wide variety of disciplines - including everything from the fine arts, to the humanities, to the social sciences, to the physical sciences, to the professional college disciplines - are eligible. Because concepts derived from micro-economics and statistics are used in parts of the program, students without a background in these areas are encouraged to take additional non-credit instruction, which may be offered by the school.
Admission to the MPP program is very competitive. Please note that because the number of applications received greatly exceeds the number of available places (we typically admit six to eight students a year), not all qualified applicants will be offered admission. Successful candidates will typically have an average in excess of 80 per cent (or lower first class).
University of Regina
To meet the entrance requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, all applicants must have completed a four-year undergraduate degree in any area with a GPA of at least 75 per cent.
University of Saskatchewan
To meet the entrance requirements of the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, applicants must have completed a four-year undergraduate degree from a recognized university. To meet the basic program requirements, an average of 75 per cent or better must be maintained during the final two years (60 credit units) of the undergraduate program or in the graduate program if students are entering the MPP after a graduate degree.
Funding and Tuition
Funding
Highly qualified MPP students who are engaged in the program on a full-time basis will automatically be considered for funding at a competitive rate.
In addition to potential funding from the school, there are scholarships and awards available for students at the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan.
Tuition
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Should there be a discrepancy between the information posted on the institution's website and information posted on the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy website, the institution website should be viewed as accurate.
University of Regina campus
Tuition for the MPP program at the University of Regina campus is $1,968.75 (per term) for the 2022/23 academic year (September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023), plus graduate student fees, as well as an international surcharge (if applicable). The per-term international surcharge is $1,283.00.
Continuous registration for all students in the MPP program is required—that is, students must register in all three terms each academic year until their program is completed.
University of Saskatchewan campus
Tuition for the MPP program at the University of Saskatchewan campus is $1,969.00 (per term) for the 2022/23 academic year (September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023), plus graduate student fees, as well as an international surcharge (if applicable). The per-term international surcharge is $1,264.58.
Continuous registration for all students in the MPP program is required—that is, students must register in all three terms each academic year until their program is completed.