Director’s Message
Welcome to the School of Public Policy and Administration
Canada’s oldest and largest multi-disciplinary graduate school, the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton is dedicated to producing leaders in public service. After over 50 years as a leader in education for public administration, SPPA has several thousand alumni, many of whom occupy top positions in governments across Canada and around the world, as well as in the private and voluntary sectors.
If you are a prospective student who relishes intellectual challenges and values public service – in the broadest sense that extends to work of the private and voluntary sectors as well as that of government – we invite you to explore our website and contact us if you would like further information.
Our Masters program is a professionally relevant academic degree that provides a strong foundation in both the theory and practice of public sector management and policy analysis. Students have an opportunity to specialize in one of our four concentrations:
- Public Management;
- Policy Analysis;
- Innovation, Science and Environment; and
- International and Development.
As a means of gaining additional experience in the real challenges of governance, Masters students may take two terms of paid, co-operative work that is available with a variety of public sector employers.
In addition to the Masters degree, the School offers a PhD in Public Policy that provides advanced study of public policy from both Canadian and comparative perspectives. Our PhDs are forming the next generation of professors of public policy and administration in Canada, as well as filling senior positions in government, consulting and international organizations.
The Masters in Sustainable Energy, offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering and Design, is a groundbreaking program exposing students to both policy and energy technology issues.
For those individuals who are seeking to strengthen or broaden their technical skills in particular areas, the School offers accredited diploma programs in Public Policy and Program Evaluation, Public Management, Sustainable Development, and Health Policy. The Diploma in Policy and Program Evaluation in particular is designed for entry level and mid-career professionals who wish to obtain their Credentialed Evaluator (CE) designation with the Canadian Evaluation Society, and to upgrade their skills for work in the public or non-governmental sectors.
Our location in the nation’s capital means that students have easy access to Parliament and federal government departments, archives and libraries, international embassies and the many national and international non-governmental organizations based in Ottawa.
The School’s research intensive faculty are keenly involved in expanding and shaping the understanding of key contemporary debates in public affairs – in environment and sustainable energy policy, health care, urban and Aboriginal governance, taxation and public finance, social policy, international development, intergovernmental relations, citizen engagement and emerging models of shared governance, among many others. Our symposia, conferences, speakers, visitors, research centres, and international activities provide superb opportunities to exchange ideas with faculty, decision-makers, fellow students and engaged citizens.
If you are interested in becoming part of a professional school with a strong research profile, an active involvement in public and community affairs, and an engaged student body, please join us.
Susan Phillips, Director
School of Public Policy and Administration