It is preferred, but not required, that applicants have some formal course background in public administration, political science or economics. Students from other disciplines are also encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline
Department deadline for applications for Regular Session is January 15

Contact the department for additional application procedures.

Program Requirements

Two-Year MPA Program
Students who are admitted as graduates of a general bachelor’s degree program or who are admitted as exceptional candidates not holding an undergraduate degree are required to satisfactorily complete an academic program consisting of a minimum of 48 credit hours. Within the 48 credit hours, 27 hours of credit must be taken from among the Core Courses and a further 21 hours of credit from among the approved options. All students must complete up to 18 hours of credit at the 700/7000 level, including the 700/7000 level core courses. A student may elect, with permission, to write a Master’s thesis in lieu of 12 credit hours of 700/7000 level option coursework.

One-Year MPA Program
Students who are admitted as graduates of an Honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to satisfactorily complete an academic program consisting of a minimum of 24 credit hours. Students who, prior to admission, have not completed 24 credit hours in courses equivalent to those designated as 400/4000 level Core Courses, or have not completed appropriate option course equivalents, will normally be required to complete the appropriate course(s) in addition to the 24 credit hour program minimum. All students must complete up to 18 hours of credit at the 700/ 7000 level, including the 700/7000 level core courses. A student may elect, with permission, to write a Master’s thesis in lieu of 12 credit hours of 700/7000 level option course work.

Co-op Education Option in Public Administration
The Co-operative Education Option in the Master of Public Administration program combines full-time academic study with the benefits of practical work experience, largely in the public sector. A full-time student who has completed one academic year in good academic standing will be eligible to engage in full-time employment. The program requires the successful completion of two work-terms of 13 weeks each. The work terms provide students with practical experience, enriched knowledge in an area of policy specialization, industry-standard remuneration, and guidance in career choices.

Students engaged in full-time study in the M.P.A. program are eligible to apply for the full-time co-operative education option on satisfactory completion of their first year of full-time M.P.A. studies (24 credit hours). The co-op option consists of two 13-week work terms which can be taken consecutively or separately. Each work term carries three hours of course credit and each must be satisfactorily completed as part of the co-op option. Co-op credits do not replace academic credits, thus students in the two-year M.P.A. program with a co-op option must therefore complete a minimum of 54 credit hours as part of their degree requirements. Students in the one-year M.P.A. program with a co-op option must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours as part of their degree requirements. Students intending to apply for the M.P.A. co-op option should read the detailed option description below.

Application and Eligibility
Application for the Co-operative Education Option in the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program is part of the normal application process for the M.P.A. program as a whole. The Co-operative Education Option is restricted to those who apply for full-time study in the M.P.A. Students who are accepted into the M.P.A. with a co-operative option must, in their first academic year, successfully complete required non-credit courses in addition to their full-time academic course load.

Work Terms and Continuance
On entry to the M.P.A. program, applicants accepted for the co-op option must arrange their program with the director of co-operative education in the MPA program and take part in a competitive job-matching process conducted in an Employers' Forum. Students who are eligible for co-op, but who are not matched with a co-op work term, will be able to continue in the regular M.P.A. program. Co-op students who have successfully completed one full academic year of coursework, and the required non-credit courses, and who have satisfied the M.P.A. requirements for continuation in the program, will be eligible to engage in their first work term placement. They must also complete relevant workshops, etc. to maintain co-op eligibility.

Each work term is 13 weeks duration and each work term carries three hours of course credit for which registration is required. Co-op students are considered to have full-time student status while engaged in a work term placement. Co-op students must successfully complete two work terms in addition to their academic program. Work terms are evaluated in terms for job performance and assigned written work (project or practicum). The final grade for each work term will employ the GPA scale which is used by the M.P.A. program. The course and grade requirements (B average overall and no course less than C+) for the co-operative education option are those which govern the M.P.A. program as a whole. If a co-op student fails to maintain these requirements, s/he will be permitted one make-up work term attempt. If a student fails to meet the requirements on the make-up attempt, s/he will be required to withdraw from the M.P.A. program.

Co-op Education Work Term Courses

Students in the co-operative education option must complete six credit hours:

POLS 6500 Co-operative Education Work 1 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.650) This credit is granted to full time registered students in the Master of Public Administration who have registered in the co-op option of the program. Eligible candidates must have attended two mandatory workshops and completed a minimum 24 credit hours of course work prior to the first work term placement. Work terms are paid positions by employers primarily in the public sector. Work terms are a minimum of 13 weeks.

POLS 6510 Co-operative Education Work 2 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.651) This credit is granted to full time registered students in the Master of Public Administration who have registered in the co-op option of the program. Eligible candidates must maintain full time status and have attended two mandatory workshops, completed a minimum 24 to a maximum of 48 credit hours of course work, and successfully completed a first work term prior to the second work term placement. Work terms are paid positions by employers primarily in the public sector. Work terms are a minimum of 13 weeks.

POLS 6520 Co-operature Education Work 3 Cr.Hrs.3

Ph.D. in Public Administration
Public Administration does not offer a Ph.D. Program

Course Descriptions

Core Courses (27 credit hours)

Students must take:

POLS 3950 Research Methods in the Study of Politics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.395) An introduction to the major quantitative and qualitative research strategies employed in the study of politics. The topics addressed include interviewing, content analysis, comparative studies, survey design, sampling, research ethics and basic statistical analysis. Students may not hold credit for both POLS 3950 (or 019.395) and the former 019.390. Prerequisite: a grade of "C" or better in six credit hours of Political Studies at the 2000 level or written consent of instructor or department head.

POLS 9010 / 41.4301 Administrative Theory Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.901) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

In addition, students must take six credit hours from:

POLS 9150 / 14.3303 Economics of Public Expenditures Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.915) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9160 / 14.3304 Economic Taxation Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.916) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

ECON 3370 Public Finance Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 018.337) The economic theory of public expenditure, taxation, intergovernmental fiscal relations, and allocative and redistributive effects of government policies. Prerequisite: a grade of "C" or better in one of: ECON 2450 (or 018.245), ECON 2451 (or 018.245) or ECON 2700 (or 018.270).

POLS 4660 The State in the Economy Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.466) Drawing from literature in Canadian political economy, this course will examine historical and contemporary patterns and forms of Canadian state involvement in the economy. Both federal and provincial contexts will be studied and selected areas of current interest, such as the role of crown corporations and industrial policy, will be emphasized. Prerequisite: written consent of instructor or department head.

POLS 9030 / 41.4415 The State and the Economy Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.903) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

Plus six credit hours from:

POLS 4860 The Canadian Policy Process Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.486) This course will examine a number of conceptual frameworks for the analysis of the policy process, will analyze the role of different institutions and actors in the policy process, and will appraise current government responses to problems within Canadian society. Prerequisite: written consent of instructor or department head.

POLS 9370 / 41.7320 Seminar in the Public Policy Process Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.937) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9380 / 41.7325 Seminar in Public Policy Issues Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.938) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

and six credit hours from:

POLS 7370 Seminar in the Theory and Practice of Public Administration Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.737) The intent of this course is to provide insight into the exigencies of actual public administration. The course will be conducted on a topical basis within the framework of certain trends facing Canadian governments today. (The course will attempt to utilize, to the fullest extent possible, the particular expertise of students in the program, faculty members, and of both elected and appointed public officials.) Students may not hold credit for both POLS 7370 (or 019.737) and the former 019.731.

POLS 7770 Seminar in Public Administration Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.777) An inquiry into the relationship between politics and administration, including regulatory public administration, the process of bureaucratization, and the interplay of administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability.

POLS 9340 / 41.7300 Seminar in Theory and Practice of Public Administration 1 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.934) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9350 / 41.7305 Seminar in Theory and Practice of Public Administration 2 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.935) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

Further Optional Coursework

With the approval of the chair of the JDC, and other approval as may be required, courses may be chosen from the following list or from, for example, designated offerings in Economics, Geography, Management, Psychology, Sociology, etc.

POLS 4180 Provincial Politics in Canada Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.418) The course focuses on politics at the provincial level in Canada and on the politics of the regions: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, the West and BC. Emphasis is on a comparison of political cultures, governments, budgets, parties, elections, and political change across the regions. Prerequisite: written consent of instructor or department head.

POLS 4190 Manitoba Politics and Government Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.419) An examination of politics and government in modern Manitoba. Topics addressed include federal-provincial relations, parties and elections, political culture, the legislative process and public policy. Students may not hold credit for both POLS 4190 (or 019.419) and the former 019.476. Prerequisite: written consent of instructor or department head.

POLS 4570 Public Organizational Management Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.457) A study of the levels and functions of public management in governmental bureaucracy, models of decision-making and organizational development, unionized collective bargaining and equal opportunity employment, with some training in public administration research. Prerequisite: written consent of instructor or department head.

POLS 6010 The Manitoba Legislative Internship Seminar Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.601) This credit is granted to six individuals who annually complete the assignment as Legislative Interns within the Manitoba Legislative Assembly.

POLS 7290 Directed Readings in Politics 2 Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.729) An independent reading and/or research course on a selected topic undertaken and arranged in consultation with the prospective instructor, upon approval of the Graduate Committee.

POLS 7300 Directed Readings in Public Administration Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.730) An independent reading and/or research course on a selected topic undertaken and arranged in consultation with the prospective instructor, upon approval of the Graduate Committee.

POLS 7340 Canadian Government Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.734) Examines the core institutions of Canadian Government and politics including parliamentary government, federalism, the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Students may not hold credit for both POLS 7340 (or 019.734) and the former 019.776.

POLS 7350 Canadian Democracy Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.735) Examines the core institutions and processes of Canadian democracy including political parties, elections, voting, social movements, interest groups and public opinion. Students may not hold credit for both POLS 7350 (or 019.735) and the former 019.776.

POLS 7610 Political Theory and Contemporary Issues Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.761) An examination of recent theoretical perspectives on contemporary political institutions, problems and values. Students may not hold credit for both POLS 7610 (or 019.761) and the former 019.771.

POLS 7910 Multivariate Research Methods Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.791) Introduction to the theory and application of multivariate regression models in political analysis. Students may not hold credit for POLS 7910 (or 019.791) and either the former 019.732 or 019.788.

POLS 9390 / 41.4220 Canadian Political Thought Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.939) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9270 / 41.4305 Administrative Law Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.927) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9600 / 41.4310 Equity in Human Resources Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.960) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9020 / 41.4400 Seminar in Canadian Politics Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.902) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9240 / 41.4405 Seminar in Manitoba Politics Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.924) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9230 / 41.4410 Seminar in Women in Politics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.923) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9020 / 41.4440 Seminar in Aboriginal Politics Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.902) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9090 / 41.7331 Directed Readings in Public Administration Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.909) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9470 / 41.7335 Directed Readings in Public Administration Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.947) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9200 / 41.7310 Special Topics Seminar in Public Administration Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 019.920) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

POLS 9510 / 41.7315 Special Topics Seminar in Public Administration Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 019.951) See University of Winnipeg Calendar for description.

*a student may elect, with permission to write a Master’s thesis in lieu of 12 credit hours of 700/7000 level coursework.