Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law (MPPAL)
School of Public Policy & Administration
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The MPPAL is an interdisciplinary program designed
primarily to provide people working in the public sector
with the skills needed for effective public administration
and public policy analysis, with an emphasis on the
themes of constitutional and administrative law, social
justice, and public sector ethics.
Most students take the program part-time over 2 years –
one evening a week and one Saturday a month.
25 students are admitted each year for courses at our
downtown campus (near gov’t offices), and 25 are
admitted each year for courses here on the Keele
campus.
Three Types of MPPAL Students
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The admissions process for the MPPAL program at York is
competitive. We look for candidates who hold an undergraduate
honours degree from a recognized university, with a minimum B+
average in the last two years of study, and a minimum of five years
work experience in a relevant public sector management,
administrative, or supervisory position.
The program will also consider candidates who have completed an
undergraduate honours degree with a minimum grade point average
of A in the final two years, and who have less than five years work
experience. Preference will be given to students who have
completed a bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Public Administration,
or in Political Science with an emphasis on public administration.
At the discretion of the selection committee, in exceptional
circumstances, students who have completed a three-year
undergraduate degree with a minimum grade point average of B+
and have significant work experience may be recommended for
admission to the program.
The Executive Style Program
The MPPAL is offered as a part-time executive or professional development
program, allowing you to pursue a degree and enhance your career prospects
while continuing to work full-time.
An intensive course structure allows you to study with much less time away
from work than most other master’s programs demand, and prepares you to
apply what you are learning to your current position immediately.
Equipping students with the contemporary skill sets they need to meet the
demands of today’s society.
It draws on the strengths of an interdisciplinary faculty from across York
University, including the Atkinson Faculty, Glendon College, Osgoode Hall Law
School and the Faculties of Arts and Environmental Studies.
Our professors are renowned scholars with research strengths in a wide range
of areas, including public sector ethics, change management, labour relations,
public sector finance, and constitutional and administrative law. In addition to
their academic research and teaching, many of our faculty have significant
public sector experience
My Thesis On The Import Of
Pubic Administration And Public Policy
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Global Modernity  Canada is facing public policy challenges of
unprecedented scale and complexity new approaches to
‘industrial’ and ‘economic’ and ‘human resource’ planning 
increased emphasis on the role of public administration specialists
and public policy analysts.
Responding to these challenges/complexities will take a fresh
approach – one that asks the right questions, engages a range of
people, and focuses on realistic and creative solutions
The critical organizational and governance challenges of global
modernity, which is the challenge of a systematic and analytic
application of administrative sciences to public policy needs and
reforms:
i)
ii)
Facilitating a minimum dislocation (in a rapidly changing world)
and maximum productivity in workplace.
Balancing public sector/corporate governance and social
responsibility.
Opening Up Cities To The World
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With Globalization, and the emergence of capital
internationalization there has been a corresponding role of
government the management of society.
One of the feature of the MPPAL is that students are already
working professionals, and there is a recognition among municipal,
provincial and federal governments of the need to ensure that the
public service reflects the people they serve.
The MPPAL provides substantive knowledge but also equips
professionals to be global citizens and public servants equipped with
international, and multicultural competence (equipped to interact
and engage with transnationals who now call Canada their home,
and international peoples abroad – as governments make links with
countries abroad – economic, political, social and culturally.
MPPAL Curriculum
MPPAL COURSES cover the essential curriculum that forms the core of
any public policy and administration program, but they also include
substantial original content focused on a more comprehensive
consideration of social justice issues, public law, administrative law,
public sector ethics, and human rights.
Students move through three conceptual modules, with 9 credits in each:
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Public Management and Finance;
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Law, Administration and Ethics; and
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Public Policy Analysis.
Each module must be completed in its entirety. The last module provides
students with the option of completing a research paper or a public policy
issue development course.
Students normally progress as a cohort. The specific order in which
courses are taught may vary from year to year. However, students must
complete the Research Methods and Information Systems and Program
Evaluation and Public Policy Analysis courses in Module 3 before
embarking on the Major Research Paper.
The MPPAL Modules
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The Public Management and Finance module emphasizes the skills,
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The Law, Administration, and Ethics module is designed to provide
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The Public Policy and Analysis module is designed to provide
knowledge, and behaviours that are essential to an effective lowermiddle level public sector manager. These include a firm
understanding of the basics of public administration, as well as
effective change management, leadership, human resources
management, public finance, and accountability mechanisms.
students with the tools to deal competently with legal and ethical
matters in public affairs.
students with a firm understanding of the skills of program
evaluation, and with relevant analytical tools regarding public policy
development and the public policy cycle.
MPPAL Courses
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Module 1: Public Management and Finance
PPAL 6000 3.0 - Public management
PPAL 6010 3.0 - Leadership and human resources Management
PPAL 6020 3.0 - Public finance and accounting
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Module 2: Law and Ethics
PPAL 6100 3.0 - Canadian constitutional and administrative law
PPAL 6120 3.0 - Ethics, privacy, and access to information
PPAL 6130 3.0 - Equity, policy, law and planning
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Module 3: Public Policy and Analysis
PPAL 6200 3.0 - Research methods and information systems
PPAL 6210 3.0 - Program evaluation and public policy analysis
PPAL 6230 3.0 - Topics in public policy or PPAL 6250 3.0 – Major
research paper
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My Action Plan For The Program
1) York's MPPAL will provide you with the competencies
and professional opportunities that a graduate degree
brings, as well as prepare you to be an influential voice in
your chosen career.
2) It will also allow you to build new business relationships
and opportunities by creating value chains/value networks.
Professional development programming will strengthen the
interface between the School and the public sector.
Focus On Student Activity, Associations, Alumni
[A]
[B]
[C]
Networking Opportunities;
Professional Development Workshops; And
Speakers Series About The Issues Facing Public
Sector Workers And Administrators//Critical Public
Policy Challenges.