Note: This is the 2019–2020 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Program Requirements
The Max Bell School of Public Policy's teaching program is a one-year Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis, with a small student cohort to optimize learning and exchange. Combining courses in the theory of public policy with those covering the complexities of the real-world policy process, the program approaches today's most important policy issues in Canada and around the world from varied perspectives to prepare the next generation of policy leaders. The MPP program aims to place more emphasis than is usual in such programs on developing practical skills crucial to future policy leaders, including conflict resolution, persuasive writing, effective presentations and the briefing of officials.
The Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis, is directed at early career professionals, normally with two to five years' professional experience, who are interested in developing expertise in the field of public policy. Recent graduates with an exceptional academic record will also be considered. A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent as recognized by McGill University) is required. The ideal applicant will have completed undergraduate courses in Political Science, Economics, Quantitative Methods, and/or Statistics.
Required Courses (30 credits)
-
PPOL 601 Global Macroeconomic Policy (3 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Development of the key elements of a macro model used by mainstream policymakers in central banks and finance ministries. Examination of important and contentious policy issues, such as the effectiveness of fiscal stimulus, the consequences of high government debt, the case for low inflation, the challenges of inflation targeting, and the policy approaches to enhancing long-run economic growth.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Ragan, Christopher T S (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 602 Microeconomics for Public Policy (3 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Examines the essential microeconomic principles for analyzing market behaviour and the consequences of government policies. Emphasis is placed on contrasting competitive markets with oligopolistic and monopolistic ones. Examines the case for relatively free markets and the many situations that suggest a case for government intervention.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Ragan, Christopher T S (Fall)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
Students must be registered in the MPP program or have the permission of the program director and course instructor. Since incoming students are required to have a macroeconomics course, this course concentrates on microeconomic methods.
-
PPOL 603 Comparative Government Structures (3 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Comparison of the structures of government and policy processes in a number of developed democracies including Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Examination of the relationship between the political and bureaucratic structures, the civil service, the role of citizens, stakeholders, lobbyists, policy institutes and legislators, and the policy development process.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Peach, Ian (Fall)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 604 Ethics, Rights, and Law
(3 credits)
Overview
PPOL : An introduction to legal systems, human rights, and the law in the making of national and international public policy. Examines the legal and ethical dimensions of public policy and how these provide boundaries to the purpose and practice of public policymaking.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Eliadis, Flora Pearl (Fall)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 605 Analytical Methods for Policy Evaluation
(3 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Concepts and analytical techniques necessary for the evaluation of specific public policies, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Specific topics include sampling theory, applied statistical inference, applied regression analysis, the use of surveys and interviews, and randomized controlled trials.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: El-Attar Vilalta, Mayssun (Fall)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
Students must be registered in the MPP program or have the permission of the program director and course instructor. Since this is the state-of-the-art in policy evaluation, students in a public policy program should be at a minimum trained to read and understand the results of studies.
-
PPOL 606 Experts, Science and Evidence (3 credits)
Overview
PPOL : The role of experts, science and evidence, and their utility for public policy. A survey of how policy leaders explore the theory of science, scientific evidence in practice, evidence in the marketplace of ideas, and human fallibility.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: King, Nicholas (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 607 Information and Media Literacy (3 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Examines the development, role and impact of mass media on the policy process, including an exploration of the nature of the role of the media in shaping public opinion, policy agendas, and political debate; the use of information in new communications technology; and the relationship between news media and social media in the digital information age.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Owen, Taylor; Skrzycki, Cynthia (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 620D1 Client-Focused Policy Laboratory
(4.5 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Students will work in teams with real clients to analyze and address an actual policy problem, delivering a full policy briefing to their client. Clients will include government departments, private businesses, international institutions, and non-profit organizations.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Duchesnay, Nathalie Marie (Winter)
Students must register for both PPOL 620D1 and PPOL 620D2
No credit will be given for this course unless both PPOL 620D1 and PPOL 620D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 620D2 Client-Focused Policy Laboratory (4.5 credits)
Overview
PPOL : See PPOL 620D1 for description.
Terms: Summer 2020
Instructors: Duchesnay, Nathalie Marie (Summer)
Prerequisite: PPOL 620D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both PPOL 620D1 and PPOL 620D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
Complementary Courses (15 credits)
3 credits selected from the following:
-
PPOL 611 Canadian Political and Policy Landscape (3 credits)
Overview
PPOL : The complexities of the Canadian political and policy landscape including Westminster parliamentary system, multiple major political parties spanning the political spectrum, the relationship to the Crown and the historical treaties with the indigenous peoples of Canada, and Quebec’s Francophone culture and status as a nation within Canada.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Hebert, Chantal (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 612 U.S. Political and Policy Landscape (3 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Examination of the complexities of policymaking and policy implementation arising from the dynamism of the U.S. political landscape, including the interaction of the Presidency, the Congress, and the Courts, and how this interaction has shifted over time.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Shribman, David (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 613 Global Political and Policy Landscape (3 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Introduction to global institutions and agencies, and to the body of applied research on how policy is formulated in the global policy landscape.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Welsh, Jennifer (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
4 credits from the following:
-
PPOL 631 Policy Case Study 1 (1 credit)
Overview
PPOL : Selected case studies in public policy based on the experience of a policy practitioner. This course will develop the complete narrative arc of a specific policy and provide its multi-dimensional complexity in an interactive environment between the practitioner and students.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: LĂ©vesque, Louis (Fall) Beugin, Dale (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 632 Policy Case Study 2 (1 credit)
Overview
PPOL : Selected case studies in public policy based on the experience of a policy practitioner. This course will develop the complete narrative arc of a specific policy and provide its multi-dimensional complexity in an interactive environment between the practitioner and students.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Duchesnay, Nathalie Marie (Fall) Cotler, Irwin (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 633 Policy Case Study 3 (1 credit)
Overview
PPOL : Selected case studies in public policy based on the experience of a policy practitioner. This course will develop the complete narrative arc of a specific policy and provide its multi-dimensional complexity in an interactive environment between the practitioner and students.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Dawson, Laura (Fall) Ragan, Christopher T S (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 634 Policy Case Study 4 (1 credit)
Overview
PPOL : Selected case studies in public policy based on the experience of a policy practitioner. This course will develop the complete narrative arc of a specific policy and provide its multi-dimensional complexity in an interactive environment between the practitioner and students.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Topp, Brian (Fall) Lloyd, Mark (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 635 Policy Case Study 5
(1 credit)
Overview
PPOL : Selected case studies in public policy based on the experience of a policy practitioner. This course will develop the complete narrative arc of a specific policy and provide its multi-dimensional complexity in an interactive environment between the practitioner and students.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Eliadis, Flora Pearl (Fall) Stewart, John (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
-
PPOL 636 Policy Case Study 6 (1 credit)
Overview
PPOL : Selected case studies in public policy based on the experience of a policy practitioner. This course will develop the complete narrative arc of a specific policy and provide its multi-dimensional complexity in an interactive environment between the practitioner and students.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Steeve, Jamison (Fall) Copeman, Russell Arthur (Winter)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
8 credits from the following:
-
PPOL 640 Policymaking in a World of Business
(2 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Influence of business on public policy. Policy examples to examine the complexity of the policymaking process in contexts where decision-makers and leaders from the private sector play a key role.
Terms: Summer 2020
Instructors: Addy, Nii Antiaye (Summer)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the third lecture day.
-
PPOL 641 Rhetoric and Communication of Public Policy (2 credits)
Overview
PPOL : The art of persuasive speaking and writing and its impact on the policymaking process.
Terms: Summer 2020
Instructors: Daifallah, Adam (Summer)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the third lecture day.
-
PPOL 642 Policy and Globalization (2 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Exploration of how international rules, norms, markets, funding, and knowledge may influence the development and implementation of policies at the domestic level.
Terms: Summer 2020
Instructors: Jodoin Pilon, SĂ©bastien; van der Ven, Hamish (Summer)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the third lecture day.
-
PPOL 643 Ethical Dimensions of Policymaking
(2 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Extralegal ethical issues inherent to setting and administering policy: the types of conflicts of interest that policymakers encounter, moral principles policymakers adopt to govern their own behaviour, the importance of the power of administrative discretion and its impact on the implementation of policy, how power should be exercised, and what constitutes an abuse of this power.
Terms: Summer 2020
Instructors: Heath, Joseph Mark (Summer)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the third lecture day.
-
PPOL 644 Stakeholder Management (2 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Managing stakeholders in the policy development process, including the management process from the perspectives of government and lobbyists.
Terms: Summer 2020
Instructors: Kelley, Geoffrey Putnam (Summer)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the third lecture day.
-
PPOL 645 Partisan Politics and Policy
Process
(2 credits)
Overview
PPOL : The role of partisan politics in the policy process and examination of how partisanship can be navigated or harnessed in the development and implementation of policy.
Terms: Summer 2020
Instructors: Kheiriddin, Tasha Jasmin (Summer)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the third lecture day.
-
PPOL 646 Budgeting and Fiscal Policy (2 credits)
Overview
PPOL : Exploration of key variables in a budget, budget rules, the internal and external dynamics of budgeting, and the impact of debt burdens on countries.
Terms: Summer 2020
Instructors: Drummond, Donald (Summer)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the third lecture day.
-
PPOL 647 Achieving Policy Transparency
(2 credits)
Overview
PPOL : A survey of an array of transparency challenges related to public finance, central banks, trade, income inequality, climate change and access to information laws.
Terms: Summer 2020
Instructors: Page, James Kevin (Summer)
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the third lecture day.
-
PPOL 650 Special Topics in Policy Complexity
(2 credits)
Overview
PPOL : A selected topic of public policy complexity.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Topic varies from term to term.
Restriction: Only open to students in the Master of Public Policy; Non-Thesis program.
