Learn Here. Lead Anywhere.
The Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) at the School of Policy Studies is an intensive one-year program designed to prepare students for careers in government and public affairs.
Apply NowThe Master's of Public Administration is a one-year, course-based program. MPA students complete twelve courses that cover core topics in public policy, economics, statistics and governance. These core courses enable students to develop interdisciplinary and transferable skills highly valued across the public sector. Through elective courses, students engage in a broad range of policy areas, from health, immigration, and environmental policy to fiscal policy, national security, and ethics.
Our graduates are hired by provincial and federal governments. Queen’s MPA students have a strong record of securing competitive co-op placements, with many receiving contract extensions or permanent offers before they graduate. School of Policy Studies alumni and fellows mentor MPA students, helping them prepare for applications and interviews and secure employment when they leave Queen’s. We take pride in the success of our graduates and prepare them accordingly.
MPA students must complete 12 courses (36.0 units) over 1 year (September-August):
- 5 courses (15.0 units) in Fall Term
- 5 courses (15.0 units) in Winter Term
- 2 courses (6.0 units) in Summer Term
Students may choose to complete a Master's Research Project, in lieu of 2 elective courses, or a Directed Reading Course.
MPA Road to Completion [PDF 157 KB]
MPA students normally complete six required courses from the following four groups:
1. Political and Institutional Analysis
- MPA 800: Governing Institutions (Fall)
- MPA 802: Applied Policy Analysis (Winter)
2. Economic and Quantitative Analysis
- MPA 804: Principles of Economics (Fall)
- MPA 805: Quantitative Analysis (Fall)
And at least one of:
- MPA 815: Economic Analysis
- MPA 816: Quantitative Program Evaluation (Winter - online synchronous)
- MPA 840: Economics of Social Policy
- MPA 844: Canadian Economic Policy
- MPA 849: Behavioural Public Finance
- MPA 876: Instruments of Public Finance (Winter)
3. Management
- MPA 809: Implementing Public Policy (Fall)
4. Policy Process
- MPA 810: Introduction to Public Administration (Fall)
Students may take at least six elective courses (typically four in the winter and two in the spring). Students may choose to take elective courses offered by the School of Policy Studies or related graduate courses offered by other academic departments or professional schools at ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, with prior approval of the School.
Winter 2026
- MPA 814: Intergovernmental Policy
- MPA 816: Quantitative Program Evaluation (Hybrid)
- MPA 826: Ethics in the Public Service
- MPA 836: Health and Public Policy in Canada
- MPA 847: Environmental Policy
- MPA 848: Immigration Policy in Canada
- MPA 851: Public Policy, Health and the Third Sector
- MPA 876: Instruments of Public Finance
- MPA 887: Public Sector Reform (Remote)
- MPA 897: Directed Reading [PDF 14.2 KB]
- MPA 898: Master's Research Project [PDF 613 KB] (Winter/Summer)
The Spring/Summer 2025 courses are listed below. 2026 course offerings will be announced later.
- MPA 806: Analytical Tools for Policy Research
- MPA 817: Impact Analysis Capstone (online synchronous)
- MPA 861: Indigenous Governance
- MPA 881: Government Communications
- MPA 890: Internship
- MPA 894: Professional Placement
- MPA 897: [PDF 14.2 KB]
- MPA 898: [PDF 613 KB] (Winter/Summer)
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is an important aspect of Queen’s MPA program and we strive to incorporate the practical application of skills as a major component of the learning experience.
Our students participate in study tours in Ottawa and Toronto. These study tours are an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of policy in a variety of sectors – public, private and voluntary.
SPS Events
MPA Students take full advantage of the School's calendar of co-curricular programs including Policy Matters: Beyond the Brief weekly speakers’ series, distinguished lectures, and conference programs throughout the year.
Upcoming EventsAlumni Mentorship
MPA students connect with our alumni through the School of Policy Studies' mentorship network, receiving real-world career guidance and help with applications and interviews.
Co-op Opportunities
The design of the program enables students to take advantage of co-op opportunities in order to transition into the workforce.
Applications open in December and co-op opportunities are distributed on a competitive basis.
Courses at Other Institutions
MPA students may be permitted to take up to two elective courses at another institution as a visiting student or on exchange study, with permission of the MPA Program Director and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Contact the MPA Program Coordinator for more information (mpa.coordinator@queensu.ca).
Where can the MPA degree take you?
Our graduates find meaningful employment in government, education, health, and the private sector:
- Government of Canada (25%)
- Government of Ontario (24%)
- Other Provincial/Territory Governments (4%)
- Municipal Governments (6%)
- Private Sector (16%) - includes consulting, financial services, professional associations
- Not-for-Profit (4%)
- Education (11%) - includes colleges, universities, schools, and school boards
- Health (9%) - includes community health and health institutions
- Other (1%)
Student News
Date Published: Dec 19, 2025
MPA Candidate Nicholas Spataro joins AMCTO-Mitacs Municipal Innovation Internship Program
Date Published: Dec 17, 2025
MPA Candidate Anjali Sanderson joins Kingston's Homelessness and Housing Advisory Committee
Related Programs
Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA)
Queen’s Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA) is a three-and-a-half-year combined degree program. The JD/MPA is an excellent choice if you seek to combine advanced skills in policy analysis and management with training in law for successful policy development and implementation.