Downtown campus

Public Policy

Master of Public Policy (MPP)

Course-based program

Program overview

The University of Calgary Master of Public Policy (MPP) is a one-year integrated program that hones skills through hands-on training. Graduates go on to policy careers in both the public and private sectors. The School of Public Policy’s mission is to offer a student-centered, transformative education that equips graduates with a comprehensive set of analytical and quantitative skills that enable them to formulate and implement meaningful public policy for a better world. As Canada’s leading policy school, we guarantee your education will be as dynamic and diverse as the world of public policy.

  • Employment: With dedicated career support and a network of alumni and other supporters, well over 80% of MPP graduates are placed in policy-relevant positions within six months of graduation. Our alumni work in government, the private sector, and not-for-profit sector.
  • Internships: The School of Public Policy has partnered with the Government of Alberta to offer an exclusive internship within the Alberta Public Service. Each spring, we place up to 10 interns in six-month paid positions. This opportunity gives students unique access to an experiential learning opportunity within the provincial government, helps build their public policy expertise and launches their careers. 
  • Average GPA: The MPP program attracts high caliber students; the average entrance GPA of the 2017-2018 cohort was 3.6.
  • 225+ MPP alumni mentor current students, sit on interactive professional development panels and help drive our two annual capstone events that bring a large number of employers and alumni to campus. This enables students to quickly establish ties to foster employment.

The MPP can be completed in combination with the following course-based degrees:

  • Juris Doctor (JD)
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Completing this program

  • Capstone Project: Students complete a project supervised by a faculty member. Capstone events involving employers and alumni in October and March enable students to inform their capstone with the perspectives of external policy professionals.

  • Courses: Topics include regulation and law, markets and public policy, public finances, decision analysis, health policy, energy and environment policy, foreign policy analysis, social policy, communicating policy and more.

  • MPP Speaker Series, Alumni Involvement and Networking Events: The School hosts a Speaker Series for students featuring prominent policy figures from across industry sectors. A mentorship program with MPP alumni is also offered as are numerous opportunities to attend professional events in Calgary and beyond.

Outcomes

Learn more about graduate outcomes on the School of Public Policy website.

A course-based master’s degree in public policy is usually considered a final degree.

Course-based program

11 total courses: consisting of 9 core courses and 2 additional elective courses.

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment

One year full-time; four years maximum

Supervisor

All MPP students in the program will be guided by faculty affiliated with the School.

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

Virtual Tour

Explore the University of Calgary (UCalgary) from anywhere. Experience all that UCalgary has to offer for your graduate student journey without physically being on campus. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.


Admission Requirements


GPA

A minimum of 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

A four year baccalaureate degree, or equivalent from a recognized institution.

Work samples

None

Documents

  • A personal statement outlining the applicant’s career goals and how the applied-for program would help achieve those goals.
  • A current resume / C.V.
  • Two official copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended

Reference letters

Two

Test scores

None


English language proficiency (ELP)

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements

Deadlines

For admission on September 1:

Canadians and permanent residents: Feb. 1 application deadline

International students: Feb. 1 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Learn more about this program

School of Public Policy

Downtown Campus
906 8 Avenue SW, 5th Floor
Calgary, ABT2P 1H9
403.210.3802

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the School of Public Policy website

Learn more about UCalgary by taking a virtual tour


Highlights of the MPP program

Downtown campus

Why choose the MPP?

MPP students are trained to step into leadership positions across business sectors. Recent graduates have worked for organizations such as the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, Devon Energy, Finance Canada, National Public Relations, RBC and United Way CGY & Area

City of Calgary

Employment statistics for the MPP

MPP students enter the workforce ready to hit the ground running. 94% of MPP graduates are employed in a policy-related role or are undertaking further education within six months of graduation.

Downtown campus

The School of Public Policy connects industry, students and alumni

More than 60 business, government, not-for-profit organizations and MPP alumni attended the 3rd annual MPP Capstone Symposium.