University of British Columbia Masters Degrees in Politics & Government

Program Overview

The Department of Political Science offers opportunities for advanced study in the major fields of political science. It is a major centre for the study of Canadian politics with a strong core of faculty actively engaged in research touching on Canadian themes. The Department is a leading centre for the study of parties and elections in Canada. It has a long tradition of the study of federalism and the normative dimensions underlying Canadian politics. Much current work focuses on issues of public policy.

The University is one of North America's leading centres for Asian studies and the Department is an important element of that research strength with faculty members specializing in the study of China, Japan, India, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Several department members are associated with the Institute of Asian Research on campus and play an active role in the editorial work of the journal Pacific Affairs, which is housed on campus.

The Department has highly regarded expertise in the area of international relations. Department faculty are affiliated with the UBC Center of International Relations, which is awarded yearly grants by the Department of National Defence as a centre of expertise under its Military and Strategic Studies Program. Department faculty are also active in the interdisciplinary Liu Institute for the Study of Global Issues.

In addition, the Department has recognized expertise in the study of democratization and democratic institutions from a variety of perspectives. The Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions is a focal point for research in the Department.

The Department also promotes research and teaching in political theory, political economy, research methodologies and public policy. Individual faculty members' interests cover a broad spectrum of political systems (including Russia, Latin America, the United States, and Australia in addition to those noted above) and embrace a variety of methodological approaches.

The UBC Library is one of North America's major university research libraries and is a depository for UN, Canadian, and BC Government publications, as well as many US Government documents. The Asian Research Library is a particularly important research centre. The Department and UBC Library hold joint memberships in the Inter-University Consortium for Political Research and the International Survey Library Association. The UBC Data Library has the largest collection of machine-readable material in Canada.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Political Science
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Thesis required
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Research focus

Fields of study in the Political Science program include:
- Canadian Politics: federalism, the Canadian electoral system, the constitution, the courts, electoral reform, parliamentary institutions, political parties, Canadian public policy, Canadian political thought, voting behaviour
- Comparative Politics: democratization and democratic institutions, state-society relations, comparative public policy, comparative political economy, constitutional design and comparative political institutions, executive politics, separation of powers, governance, non-governmental organizations, and immigration politics
- International Relations: International Relations Theory, International Political Economy, International Security, International Law and Organization, International Norms, Human Security, the politics of international law, and global governance
- Political Theory: democratic theory, liberalism, constitutionalism, human rights, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism, identity politics, critical theory, history of political thought

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General Information

UBC’s two-year, professional Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) program will equip students with a broad policy foundation of strong analytical and technical skills – plus knowledge in development and social change, sustainability, and global governance.

The Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs curriculum is designed to emphasize many aspects of being a professional in a policy-making environment: comprehensive knowledge, application of scientific and engineering principles, assessment of alternatives, and problem-solving.

Students will graduate with a deeper understanding of policy networks between North America or Europe and China and other emerging nations in Asia and beyond. The MPPGA program will graduate policy professionals prepared to create boundary-crossing solutions to address urgent issues facing the world in the 21st century.

What makes the program unique?

UBC’s MPPGA degree prepares future policy leaders with an informed perspective, critical and creative thinking skills, and professional networks qualifying them to work effectively with global policy establishments. Together, this toolkit will allow graduates to diversify and enhance their careers. The MPPGA program has a novel and broad approach to governance: going beyond government bodies to include a network of actors - NGOs, social enterprises, international institutions, and the private sector – that are target employers for graduates.

The program’s three streams allow for customization and specialization of global public policy and are reflective of UBC's unique strengths on Asia and sustainability in particular. Students will be exposed to global case studies in the areas of political, socio-economic and cultural change taught by some of the world’s leading public policy experts.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs
- Specialization: Policy
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework only
- Registration options: Full-time
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Program

The world is in the midst of major and rapid transformation: dramatic technological change, instability in the system of globalization, dramatic rise of emerging powers and rebalancing of power, increased presence of systemic risk, climate crisis and urgent sustainability challenges. What is required is policy education with particular focus on global-domestic interactions, multi-sectoral interactions, sustainability issues and cross-Pacific functional capacity as well as a “learning-by-doing” environment that increases graduates readiness to enter employment productively from the standpoint of both the employer and employee.

Learning Outcomes

The Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs curriculum is designed to emphasize many aspects of being a professional in a policy-making environment: comprehensive knowledge, application of scientific and engineering principles, assessment of alternatives, and problem-solving. With relevant training in various sectors, Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs graduates will be capable of:
- working proficiently and efficiently with professionals,
- designing and developing policy solutions for global problems.

The core courses offered in Year 1 will allow students to acquire the necessary multi-disciplinary policy analysis and design skills they will need to understand domestic and global policy processes, manage organizations, and communicate effectively across organizations and cultures. Over the course of the program, students will acquire knowledge and skills in development, sustainability, and global governance through:
- core and elective courses,
- related policy events, and
- development cases.

Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs students will integrate tools with policy through field-based and hands-on professional experience within internships, professional workshops, and Capstone projects.

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The proportion of Seniors is accelerating rapidly, and Seniors are expected to account for nearly one-quarter of British Columbia’s population by 2036. Currently nearly 15 per cent of the population older than 85 resides in a public or private care facility. While many services are provided in the public sector there is an increasing number and range of services for Seniors in the private and non-profit sectors as well. These demographic trends highlight the pressing need for health professionals with sector-relevant and cross-disciplinary technical skills who can create the future of Seniors care in community and institutional contexts.

The Master of Health Leadership and Policy (MHLP) in Seniors Care is an intensive one-year degree program that equips you with the skills needed to improve patient outcomes and help create the future of Seniors health care. The project-based curriculum follows the industry value chain, maintaining a strong focus on organizational models of practice that promote ethical, equitable and socially sustainable policies and practices in Seniors care. While 60 per cent of your classes will focus on your technical specialization, the remaining 40 per cent are leadership development courses that will enhance your business, communication and people skills. Delivery of the management and leadership courses are in partnership with UBC's Sauder School of Business.

What Makes The Program Unique?

The MHLP in Seniors Care is a unique graduate program that empowers you to develop the sector-relevant cross-disciplinary technical skills that are acutely needed in this field. No other Canadian institution currently offers sector-focused (rather than research-oriented) training at the graduate level. It has been developed in close collaboration with public and private sector partners, who told us they are challenged to find people with the cross-functional technical and leadership skills needed to develop innovative solutions, manage collaborative teams and lead projects.

To complement your academic studies, professional development workshops, delivered by industry leaders, are offered throughout the year-long program. These extra-curricular sessions cover a range of topics such as:

-Leadership fundamentals

-Giving and receiving feedback

-Learning how to deliver a successful pitch

-Effective presenting

The workshops also provide opportunities to network with professionals from a wide range of industries, UBC faculty and students in the MHLP and MEL programs.

Career Options

Our graduates will be in high demand in the private and public sector. Job opportunities could include conceptualizing and leading Seniors-focused clinical programs, leading and managing services for Seniors in a range of settings, as well as proposing or analyzing policy initiatives tor Seniors care.

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