Program Overview
Adler University’s Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) program prepares graduates to address today’s complex policy problems and advance a more just society. The program shapes future policymakers, public administrators, and community-based professionals seeking to impact systemic social change. Students in the program participate in small, dynamic classes with a cohort of learners and receive individualized attention to support their learning.
The innovative MPPA program addresses the content areas for public policy and administration programs defined by the Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA), along with unique training in domains not found in other programs, such as community psychology and social justice.
Our program prepares students with the skills, knowledge, and experience for a range of career pathways including with municipal, provincial, and federal governments and agencies, as well as with not-for-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and research institutes.
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Concentrations
The Master of Public Policy and Administration program offers a concentration in Social Change Leadership.
Social Change Leadership
The Social Change Leadership concentration prepares graduates to head government and community efforts that advance a more just society. The concentration educates students in understanding frameworks for social policy analysis, applying research methods, engaging in critical analysis, and developing knowledge of contemporary social issues in Canada. Students build skills to address intolerance, discrimination, and inequality through community and government efforts.
Student Outcomes
Careers in Public Policy and Administration
Our program is designed to prepare you with the skills, knowledge, and experience for a range of positions in Canada’s government and non-profit sectors—in social policy development, analysis, and reform, administration, and social service.
Roles include:
- Program administrator
- Community organizer
- Policy analyst or researcher
- Community development specialist
- Advocacy and policy council strategist
- Government leader at local, provincial, and national level
Gain the knowledge and tools to create positive social change through policy and administration, learning through small classes and individualized mentorship from leading practitioners and scholars in the field.
You’ll get hands-on experience and prepare for policy and administration work, leadership, and advocacy—and connect to unique professional development opportunities through the University’s network of community partners.
As part of successfully completing our program, you will also complete an experiential capstone project in your specific area of professional interest working with a governmental, community, advocacy, or nonprofit organization towards the end of your studies.
Graduate Spotlight
Manuel-Yvan Ekpini, graduate
Master of Public Policy and Administration
“Every class, every discussion, and every experience at Adler has provided me with unique opportunities to learn and grow on personal and professional levels. The MPPA program creates a special environment for students who seek, through policy development, to support marginalized populations.”
Curriculum
The Master of Public Policy and Administration is a 36-credit hour program. Successful completion of this program includes the courses listed below.
Find course descriptions and more information in the Adler University course catalog.
Public Policy and Administration Courses
Community Psychology investigates people’s wellbeing and mental health in the context of community and social life. Largely informed by a concern with social justice, it focuses on social inequalities that impact the wellbeing of individuals and communities.
This course provides an examination of the institutions and processes involved in developing, influencing and forming public policy as informed by macro level processes such as our changing national ideology, emerging and established social movements, governmental/legal systems, and political ideologies and practices.
This course addresses the assumptions, approaches and methods underlying the development of research in public policy. Covering the fundamentals of the research process from the inception of the research interest to information dissemination, students explore all the necessary requirements to conduct research on a public policy issue.
This course offers an advanced investigation and hands-on application of, qualitative and quantitative, and mixed methods research approaches within a policy context.
This course focuses on social change and how it takes place by considering social problems and the development of public policy within the contexts of public administration, community organizing and activism.
This course will provide an introduction to leadership and management practices; both at a scholarly and a practical level. At a scholarly level, it will focus on issues such as authenticity, ethics, power dynamics and leading in crisis.
This course is focused on the basic economic tools and models relevant to current policy and public sector choices. It explores contemporary debates about the roles of the state within market economy, as well as the impacts of global neoliberalism and other global economic forces.
Public policy can only succeed in building effective social systems and practices through the development and implementation of quality programming.
This course provides students with a solid foundation for ethical and socially responsible practice in public and social policy work as well as community-based practice. Students will explore ethical standards expected of public and not-for-profit leaders and how these standards impact policy related scenarios.
In their first year of the MPPA program, students are required to complete a 200-hour on-site practicum with an authorized community partner. Students will spend approximately eight to ten hours per week over the course of six months, and must concurrently enroll in required coursework.
Students completing first-year coursework will spend eight (8) to ten (10) hours per week over the course of eight months at approved SJP sites and must concurrently enroll in required coursework. A minimum of 200 clock hours of SJP is required.
Social Change Leadership Concentration Courses
In this course, community development is understood as a dynamic and comprehensive process that has social, political, economic and ecological dimensions.
This course explores theories of change and impactful social movements as a means of preparing students to lead change processes.
In their second year of the MPPA program, students are required to complete a 300-hour on-site internship that provides an opportunity to build professional competence, including hands-on application of their studies, network development, and direct experience of an organizational culture.
Students in the MPPA program are required to complete a 300-hour on-site internship that provides an opportunity to build professional competence, including hands-on application of their studies, network development, and direct experience of an organizational culture.
This seminar focuses on the Social Change Leadership stream. The course supports students with the development and completion of their individual capstone projects.
This seminar focuses on the Social Change Leadership stream. The course supports students with the development and completion of their individual capstone projects.
International Justice Studies Concentration Courses
This course examines the organization of global politics and global governance institutions, agreements and processes that affect the developing, influencing and forming of public policy. The course reviews the development of governance institutions at the global level and the factors that influenced these developments. It then examines international cooperation beyond the confines of formal governance structures with particular emphasis on international agreements and processes. While a primary focus is on global governance institutions, agreements and processes as it relates to Canada, comparisons with other models in the global environment are also considered.
This course examines contemporary global issues affecting global relations in terms of the major political, social, economic and environmental forces confronting global communities. It positions issues in relation to dimensions of social justice, and explores the opportunities and constraints in mobilizing against inequality in the global and national arenas. The course explores a variety of perspectives on global justice topics, for example, issues of global concern such as North-South relations, environmental issues, world poverty, sustainable development and global economic development. Specific topics will change over time with an emphasis on recent developments.
In their second year of the MPPA program, students are required to complete a 300-hour on-site internship that provides an opportunity to build professional competence, including hands-on application of their studies, network development, and direct experience of an organizational culture.
Students in the MPPA program are required to complete a 300-hour on-site internship that provides an opportunity to build professional competence, including hands-on application of their studies, network development, and direct experience of an organizational culture.
This seminar focuses on the International Justice Studies stream. The course supports students with the development and completion of their individual capstone projects.
This seminar focuses on the International Justice Studies stream. The course supports students with the development and completion of their individual capstone projects.
Social Justice Practicum
200-hour internship to give students real world experience
A unique and proven program designed to give students real-world experience throughout their time at Adler University, the Social Justice Practicum is a required 200-hour internship that spans four courses (or terms for online programs). Every student is given a number of civic-minded categories to choose from. They submit their desired areas of interest. After which, they are assigned a specific and aligned community outreach site where they will work 8 to 10 hours per week.
Admissions Requirements
At Adler University, we take great pride in our diverse student body. Students represent a wide range of professional interests, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and academic and work histories. We admit individuals with a strong record of academic achievement and a commitment to social responsibility.
Applicants to the program must have the following:
- A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution.
- Evidence of interest and experience in social change efforts
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher for all undergraduate or graduate coursework.
- Completion, with a grade of C or better, of two, three-credit courses (six credits total) in program-relevant areas such as political science, sociology, women’s or gender studies, economics, policy, community development, research methods, and statistics; equivalencies are considered.
International students must have a minimum score in one of the following English proficiency tests:
- 92 or better on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with no band lower than 22
- 7.0 IELTS overall with no bands below 6.5
- PTE must have a minimum score of 66
Applicants are required to submit the following items to be considered for admission:
- Application and application fee
- Statement of Intent answering the following questions:
- Why are you interested in your chosen field and program?
- Why is Adler University’s program a good fit for you?
- Adler University mission is based on social justice. Share your perspective of social justice.
- What are your career goals and interests?
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended (U.S and Canada)
- Please have official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions
- Unofficial transcripts are accepted for any schools in which a degree was not received
- Applicants with international (outside the U.S. or Canada) post-secondary education should send a scan of their official transcript to the admissions office as this program is exempt from the requirement to complete a transcript evaluation. Please speak to your Admissions Advisor if you require more details.
*Applicants submitting admission documents (transcripts, bank documents, English proficiency scores, etc.) that are found to have been altered or fabricated will be denied admission. Denials based on fraudulent documents cannot be appealed.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition for Adler University’s programs is charged each term according to the number of registered academic credits. The number of credits a student will register for varies by academic program and by term. To estimate the amount of tuition and fees that would be charged in a given term, please use our Tuition Estimator tool below, or read about tuition and fees for all Vancouver programs.