Please note:
To view the Spring 2025 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/spring.
Public Policy
The master of public policy (MPP) program offers the skills, insights and analytical frameworks that public sector and non-profit policy analysts and managers require. It focuses on the political and economic contexts of public policy analysis and offers specialized study. Designed to develop the strategic and global perspective required of tomorrow's senior policy analysts and managers, the program uses a cohort model which encourages student interaction and co-operation.
大象传媒 Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the 大象传媒 Calendar. Students with non-Canadian undergraduate or graduate degrees are required to complete the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Direct admission is only permitted into the Project Option.
Program Requirements
This program offers an applied project option and course-based option for a minimum of 61 units.
Students must complete all of
An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of public policy analysis and examination of current policy issues.
An examination of the basic operation of a market economy and introduction to key economic concepts and techniques.
Application of economic concepts and techniques to a variety of public policy issues.
Examines the political foundations of Canadian public policy. It will examine the institutional and societal landscape that sets the stage for the decisions Canadian governments make. Topics discussed include the machinery of government, federalism, and the Canadian economic and social context.
Provides a foundational overview of social science research methodologies appropriate to public policy, including jurisdictional scan, case studies, survey, qualitative interviews, and descriptive data analysis.
Introduces the basic principles and techniques of policy analysis and examination of current public policy issues. A continuation of MPP 800. Prerequisite: PLCY 800 or MPP 800, or permission of the instructor.
Overview of aboriginal and First Nations policy issues and policy choices in BC and Canada. Examines demographic trends, social and economic data, and development issues. Rights and title, accommodation and infringement, treaty and self government issues and policies are a focus as well as socio-economic issues and problems, including those of urban people.
and a Co-op*
Students who do not have prior work experience in public policy are placed in a public or private organization connected to public policy. The work they undertake must be of sufficient depth and breadth to allow the student the opportunity to demonstrate his or her acquired knowledge and skills. Students will be required to produce a work report that will be an appraisal of the student's work experience. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Liesl Jurock |
TBD | ||
|
Liesl Jurock |
TBD | ||
|
Liesl Jurock |
TBD |
and the requirements from either the applied project option or the course-based option.
Applied Project Option
Students complete
Covers advanced policy analysis techniques that are applied by students to individual projects on current public policy issues. This course will constitute the Capstone project component of the program. Prerequisite: Open only to students enrolled in the MPP program.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBD |
and four elective PLCY graduate courses**.
Course-based Option
Students complete six elective PLCY graduate courses**.
* Students will supplement their program with a co-op by working for an agency or organization in a position of responsibility for one term. This requirement can be fully or partially waived for students with prior or current work experience in the professional field of public policy after consultation with the school director.
** The program director, in consultation with the student, selects appropriate graduate courses offered by PLCY, affiliated programs and departments.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in six terms (2 years). The maximum course load for this program is four courses per term.
Other Information
Applied Project Option
Permission of the program director is required for enrollment in the applied project option.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.