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Course information on this site is not reflective of offerings for the 2025–2026 academic year. Some irregularities may occur as we move operations to the incoming Course Catalogue.
The Max Bell School of Public Policy's flagship teaching program is a one-year Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.), combining courses in the theory of public policy with courses covering the complexities of the real-world policymaking process. The program will tackle today's most important policy issues in Canada and around the world from varied perspectives. It will also place more emphasis than is usual in such programs on practical skills including conflict resolution, persuasive writing, effective presentations, and the briefing of officials.
| Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) Public Policy (Non-Thesis) (45 credits) |
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More than ever, the world needs public policy that is creative, bold, and effective. That is why we're excited about the Max Bell School of Public Policy and its flagship master's program, whose mission is to explore the complexities of the policymaking process from various perspectives and to prepare the policy leaders of the future, in Canada and around the world. |
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program is directed at early career professionals — ideally with two to five years of 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; however, in the absence of professional experience, more weight will be placed on the applicants’ academic record.
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 Statistics.
An overall Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.6 out of 4.0 or higher is recommended. A minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, OR a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 out of 4.0 in the last two years of full-time studies is required.
Applicants whose mother tongue is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian/American institution (anglophone or francophone) are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 100 for the Internet-based test (iBT) with each component score not less than 20 is required. Please use McGill's institutional code, 0935, when writing the exam.
Applicants may write the IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) instead of the TOEFL exam. A minimum overall band score of 7.0 is required, with each component score not less than 7.0. IELTS test scores must be sent electronically by IELTS directly to McGill University using McGill's institutional code: 0935.
Please check if you may qualify for English language proficiency exemptions.
McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at https://future.mcgill.ca/apply/.
Detailed application procedures are available at mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.
The items and clarifications below are additional requirements set by this department:
Interview
After a preliminary review of their file, some candidates may be invited for an interview, to be conducted remotely. We would like to highlight the importance of the interview as it is not only for the admissions committee to better understand your background and experiences, but also an important opportunity for you to ask key questions and ensure that the Max Bell School MPP program is right for you. During the interview you will be asked to talk about your interests in public policy, and what you hope to accomplish following your MPP experience.
The deadline to complete your application is January 15th (international applicants) or February 1st (Canadian applicants), including submission of all supporting documents. Please note: Entrance to the MPP program is highly competitive. It is in the applicant's interest to apply as early as possible. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis so that the earlier a file is complete, the sooner the applicant may expect to receive an answer.
Information on application deadlines is available at mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/how-apply/application-steps/application-deadlines. The School's admission requirements and application procedures are available at mcgill.ca/maxbellschool/mpp/admissions-guide.
Admission to graduate studies is competitive; accordingly, late and/or incomplete applications are considered only as time and space permit.
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...
For more information, see Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) Public Policy (Non-Thesis) (45 credits).
