Master of International Public Policy

The master of international public policy program offers graduate training for individuals looking to pursue or enhance careers in international or global policy development, implementation and evaluation. A multidisciplinary and integrated curriculum is combined with a team-teaching approach to achieve the program's objectives. Students specialize in two of the four possible fields: international economic relations, global governance, international environmental policy, and human security.

Additional Information
 
Admission Requirements

In order to be admitted to the master's program, a student must meet the general admission requirements of the university. Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate degree at the honours level with a minimum of second class honours or B standing. All candidates are expected to have completed the equivalent of a one term undergraduate course in microeconomic theory, a one term undergraduate course in macroeconomic theory, an introductory statistics course and a relevant political science course. Applicants with inadequate preparation in any of these areas may still apply to the program, but any admission offer will be conditional on the completion of missing prerequisites. Candidates may complete missing prerequisites either by taking additional undergraduate courses or by successfully completing the non-credit Foundations of International Public Policy certificate offered through the Balsillie School of International Affairs.

 
Program Requirements

Each student is required to complete 12 one-term courses over three academic terms (Fall/Winter/Spring). In term one, students complete the four required core courses, IP601, IP602, IP603 and IP604. Over the course of the second and third terms, students select two fields and take the two required courses for each field. In each term, students also complete one interdisciplinary seminar (IP605 in the Winter, IP606 in the spring), and one elective course approved by the MIPP Graduate Program Coordinator. The courses required for each field are:

International Environmental Policy International Economic Relations Human Security Global Governance
IP611 - The Economics of Environmental and Resource Policy
IP612 - Earth Governance: The Politics and Law of Environmental Policy


IP621 - International Trade
IP622 - Power and Policy in the Global Economy


IP631 - Economic Policy and Human Security
IP632 - The Politics of Human Security


IP641 - Economic Policy in an Interdependent World
IP642 - State and Non-State Actors in Global Governance

The core courses in the first term provide students with knowledge in political science, public sector economics, and quantitative and research methods necessary for public policy analysis in the global context. This common core also helps to ensure that students have a similar graduate experience.

The two required courses in each field provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of that area of international public policy. The interdisciplinary seminars give students the opportunity to undertake in-depth projects in specific areas of international public policy and to develop professional skills, including effective writing, communication, presentation and professional network building.

Students in the MIPP program will be required, by the end of the first semester in the program, to declare the two fields they intend to pursue by completing a Graduate Program Change Request Form. This will ensure that the fields appear on the student's academic record and transcript. 

Program Structure and Course Sequencing

Notes: see course listings for details on the specific courses required for each field. Students must achieve a minimum of a B- in all four courses in one term before proceeding to the next term.

Term 1 (fall) Four required core courses
IP601 - Public Sector Economics and the Global Economy
IP602 - Tools for Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
IP603 - Comparative Public Policy
IP604 - Politics, Policy and Globalization
Term 2 (winter)  Choose 1st field from a choice of 2
Complete required field courses
Term 3 (spring)  Choose 2nd field from a choice of 2
Complete required field courses 
Notes: see course listings for details on the specific courses required for each field. Students must achieve a minimum of a B- in all four courses in one term before proceeding to the next term.