Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy

This updated version of the program is effective 202430.

Program Description

The Ph.D. in Public Policy program prepares graduates to conduct advanced policy research across a variety of sectors. Through inquiry and application of interdisciplinary knowledge, the Ph.D. in Public Policy program equips students to advance public policy knowledge. Graduates are prepared to work as advanced researchers locally and globally in the academic, public, not-for-profit, and corporate sectors to identify innovative strategies to address policy challenges. For more information, please visit School of Public Policy.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, with the following additions (as applicable):

1. Applicants must have completed a Master of Public Policy (MPP) or Public Administration (MPA), or a Master's degree in a cognate discipline such as economics, political science, sociology, or educational administration from an accredited university and will be expected to have achieved an average of 75 percent or better in their Master's program. In addition, JSGS requires three letters of reference.
2. Applicants seeking admission after completing a course-based Master's degree may be required to complete an examination as a condition of the program, which will be identified in the admission letter. This examination will typically consist of a written examination in the students' major area and this is to be completed in the first year of studies. A student who fails the written examination will be permitted to retake the examination only once.
3. Applicants are required to prepare and submit a research program outlining the research that they would like to pursue in the area of public policy. The research program outline is to contain a well-defined problem statement, a review of the appropriate literature, and an initial methodology.
4. An interview with the applicant is required and will be scheduled by the School upon receipt of all application materials in the FGSR. The PhD steering committee of the School reviews the file and makes a recommendation to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

Exceptional students may be considered for transfer from the MPP (or MPA) to the PhD. A transfer will only be considered after a student has completed all 15 credit hours of the course work required for the MPP (Note: students in the MPA would also have to complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of course work to be considered for transfer). Before students will be transferred to the PhD program, they must also successfully complete an examination (see above). The graduate committee in the School will also require three letters of recommendation (typically from faculty members in the School) in support of the transfer.

Degree Requirements

Students with a Master's degree (thesis route) in Public Policy from an accredited university will be required to take a minimum of nine (9) credit hours of the core course work.  Students without this background will be required to acquire the relevant background before taking the formal PhD core courses.

*Students must register in JSGS 990AB each semester and attend at least 25 seminars during their program.

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 and the FGSR.

Students must write and successfully defend a thesis to complete the program. Students are expected to complete the program in a timely manner; for example, within three years as a full-time student, but a maximum of six years is allowed under FGSR's regulations.

Comprehensive Exam:
Students will complete a comprehensive examination following completion of their prescribed course work (see above). The comprehensive exam would involve the preparation of a paper and an oral exam. The paper would be linked to the research program that the student has identified and that would serve as the starting point for a thesis proposal to be completed after the comprehensive exam is successfully completed.

Following successful completion of the comprehensive exam, students would move to the development of a proposal, and upon its approval, to the thesis research and writing stage.

Academic Performance Standards:
Satisfactory performance in research and course work is required and can be reviewed at any time as defined within the framework of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research regulations. The supervisory committee can meet to address any issues pertaining to the student's progress and could recommend termination of a student's program should progress be unsatisfactory. The Dean of FGSR or the FGSR PhD Committee may also initiate questions concerning a student's progress, as per FGSR regulations.

Program Description

The Master of Health Administration is primarily an online, course-based degree offering students the opportunity to pursue personal and professional enhancement by obtaining a master's degree on their own schedule, without having to take time away from home or work to participate in traditional classroom learning.  Students will attend courses on a part-time basis while continuing their full-time employment and can finish the degree in as little as two years.  In addition to the coursework, students participate in two brief in-person residency periods.  These are held over a weekend and involve group exercises including case studies, management simulations, breakouts and presentations, creating important learning and networking opportunities for students.

Optional Major in Health Informatics and Information Management (MHA-HIIM)

To meet the growing demand for HIIM professionals, Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS) offers this major within the MHA program. HIIM encompasses a wide scope of practice that includes information management, information systems, information technology, and finance areas. The new major focuses on the capture, quality, and use of health information to support the Canadian health care system.  During the course of the program, students will develop graduate level skills in the information sciences and health administration.

Application deadlines here.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the entrance requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, with the following additions (where applicable):

1. Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years relevant health sector experience

MHA Mid-Career Option

For those who lack an undergraduate degree, but have considerable relevant health sector experience, there is an option to be admitted to the MHA program as mid-career.

Note: The Master's Certificate in Health Systems Management from the University of Regina ladders into the MHA program.  Students will be allowed to concurrently hold this Master's Certificate and the MHA degree, using the same courses for both credentials.  This means that a student could earn the Master's Certificate, apply for entry and be accepted into the MHA program, and then take the additional courses to earn the MHA degree.

Degree Requirements

Master of Health Administration (MHA) (course)

*The two in-person residency sessions can be taken in any semester and in any order.
**Approval by Graduate Chair required.

Master of Health Administration (MHA) in Health Informatics and Information Management (course)

*JSGS 812, JSGS 817, JSGS 823, JSGS 824, JSGS 826, JSGS 827, JSGS 829, JSGS 832, JSGS 833, JSGS 837, JSGS 841, JSGS 886**.
**Approval by Graduate Chair required.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the entrance requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, with the following additions (where applicable):

1. Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research and additionally have an overall grade point average of 75%. In addition, JSGS requires three letters of reference.
2. The MPA programs are open to persons with a four-year undergraduate degree in any area.
3. Those students without a background in economics may be required to complete introductory courses in micro and macro economics.

Degree Requirements

Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Public Administration (course)

 *Subject to approval by graduate chair.

Master of Public Administration (MPA) (Internship)

 *Subject to approval by graduate chair.

Note: The Internship Program Route will not have direct entry.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research general admission requirements and may enter the program from a wide variety of disciplines with the following additions (where applicable):

1. Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research and additionally have an overall grade point average of 75%. In addition, JSGS requires three letters of reference.

Degree Requirements

Master of Public Policy (MPP) in Public Policy (thesis)

*Restricted electives are subject to change.
**Students must register in JSGS 990AB each semester and attend at least 25 seminars during their program.

This updated version of the program is effective 202430.

The Masters of Public Policy (MPP) program prepares graduates to conduct policy research and analysis for use in the policy system.  The MPP program trains students to apply their skills in the public policy domain. Graduates are prepared to work as policy researchers locally and globally in the public, not-for-profit, and corporate sectors and employ innovative strategies to address policy challenges. For more information, please visit the School of Public Policy.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research general admission requirements and may enter the program from a wide variety of disciplines with the following additions (where applicable):

1. Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research and additionally have an overall grade point average of 75%. In addition, JSGS requires three letters of reference.

Degree Requirements

Master of Public Policy (MPP) in Public Policy (thesis)

*Students must register in JSGS 990AB each semester and attend at least 25 seminars during their program.

This certificate is designed for those currently working, or wanting to work, directly in the area of policy analysis in the public. It will provide students with the basic skills and techniques for sound economic analysis of public policy along with an understanding of the advantages or disadvantages of various policy models.

Certificate Requirements

Note: The Master's Certificate in Health Systems Management from the University of Regina ladders into the MHA program.  Students will be allowed to concurrently hold this Master's Certificate and the MHA degree, using the same courses for both credentials.  This means that a student could earn the Master's Certificate, apply for entry and be accepted into the MHA program, and then take the additional courses to earn the MHA degree.

Certificate Requirements

Note: Students cannot receive credit for JSGS 882 if they have completed JSGS 815 or 817.

Note: The Master's Certificate in Public Management from the University of Regina ladders into the MPA program. Students will be allowed to concurrently hold this Master's Certificate and the MPA degree, using the same courses for both credentials. This means that a student could earn the Master's Certificate, apply for entry and be accepted into the MPA program, and then take the additional courses to earn the MPA degree.

This certificate will be of interest to those directly involved in policy analysis development and to those involved in policy decisions who want to increase their understanding of the overall policy process. It will provide students with a basic foundation in public policy analysis, development, and evaluation. Students will develop analytic skills and gain a solid understanding of the basics of public policy implementation and development.

Certificate Requirements

Note: The Master's Certificate in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Regina ladders into the MPA program.  Students will be allowed to concurrently hold this Master's Certificate and the MPA degree, using the same courses for both credentials.  This means that a student could earn the Master's Certificate, apply for entry and be accepted into the MPA program, and then take the additional courses to earn the MPA degree.

Certificate Requirements