Comparison of Canada’s master’s programs in public admin., public mgt., and public policy (by Iain Gow and Sharon Sutherland CPA, fall 2004, pp )
Programs Reviewed Self-standing: Carleton SPPA, Dalhousie SPA, ENAP MPA, Moncton MPA, Queen’s SPS, Simon Fraser MPP, UVic SPA Part of larger dept. or faculty: Concordia PA & PP, Guelph-McMaster MA, Laval MPA, Manitoba-Winnipeg MPA, Regina Fac of Admin MPA, York (Schulich) MPA
Self-described missions Self-standing programs Carleton: balance of pd, pa, and skills Dalhousie: management ENAP: management Moncton: balance of mgt., politics, policy Simon Fraser: policy analysis & planning Victoria: competency-oriented
Self-described missions Part of larger program or faculty Concordia: policy focus Laval: policy focus Manitoba-Winnipeg: policy focus Guelph-McMaster: management & policy Regina: skills for leadership York: “hard” technical skills and politics/policy
10 Programs offer internships Carleton Concordia Dalhousie ENAP Laval Manitoba Moncton Queen’s Simon Fraser Victoria
Popularity of Required Courses Governance of political system, 13 Theory of public policy & admin, 12 Policy process and decision-mkg., 12 Research methods, 9 Quantitative theory, 8 Macro-economics, 7 Micro-economics, 7 Organization management, 7
Popularity of Required Courses Public finance, 6 Financial management, 6 HRM, 3 Administrative law, 3 Program evaluation, 3 Strategic management, 3 Communication, 1
Popularity of NASPAA accreditation required courses Political institutions and processes, 13 Economics, 9 Organization, 8 Law, 3 Research techniques, 11 Policy formulation and decision-mkg., 12 Budget and finance, 9 Human resource mgt., 3 Information technology, 1
Programs by Cluster Management: Dalhousie, ENAP, Regina Public policy: Carleton, Concordia, Laval, Queen’s, Regina pub. Plcy., Simon Fraser Management and policy: Dalhousie, Victoria, York Political science orientation: Concordia, Guelph-McMaster, Manitoba-Winnipeg
Conclusions Clear distinction between programs emphasizing analytical work and programs emphasizing skills and competencies Areas generally not covered: management, law, accountability, ethics English-language schools do not require or provide French Weakness of program websites