University of Toronto School of Public Policy and Governance
Encyclopedia
The University of Toronto
School of Public Policy and Governance (SPPG) is a public policy
and public administration school located in Toronto
, Ontario
. The SPPG is headquartered in the Canadiana Gallery at 14 Queen's Park Crescent West.
SPPG offers a two-year Master of Public Policy
(MPP) program, with a core curriculum emphasizing practical and applied dimensions of policymaking. The program also includes a paid internship during the summer between the first and second year. The school internship partners include the Canadian Federal Public Service, the Ontario Public Service
, the City of Toronto
, the City of Mississauga, as well as many non-governmental organizations
and research think tanks
. SPPG also houses the Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation
an independent, non-partisan public policy think tank. It undertakes applied public policy research and engages in public dialogue on federal issues important to the prosperity and quality of life of Ontario and Canada.
(MPP) program, with a core curriculum emphasizing practical and applied dimensions of policymaking. The curriculum includes core courses that provide a foundation in subjects ranging from political science and legal analysis to such specific analytic tools and concepts as microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and quantitative methods for policy analysis. The curriculum also includes five electives, taken either at SPPG or other graduate departments on the University of Toronto campus, that allow students to bridge the spheres of domestic policy and international or global policy in order to address the complex issues facing modern governments and other policy-making organizations. Integrating seminars are led by faculty members. Invited visiting public sector leaders and external researchers bridge theory and practice, providing contact with senior professionals in government and the broader public, private and community sectors. In addition to the two-year course work students are required to complete an internship during the summer between the first and second year. The school internship partners include the Canadian Federal Public Service, the Ontario Public Service
, the City of Toronto
, the City of Mississauga, as well as many non-governmental organization
s and research think tank
s.
in Washington
and alumnus
of the University of Toronto
, after he donated $1 million to U of T’s School of Public Policy and Governance. SPPG students have also been awarded many other prestigious external scholarships and awards, including Cancer Care ON
grants, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
(CIHR) grants, Ontario Graduate Scholarship
s (OGS), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
(SSHRC) grants.
. The mission of the PGI is to make a positive contribution to the policy and research capacity of community organizations. The Initiative pushes to find creative solutions with public value to real-world problems. Consulting teams offer recommendations and reports that are grounded in a specialized knowledge of public policy making and analysis. Since its inception in 2008, the PGI has worked with organizations that include Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, Toronto City Summit Alliance, Maytree Foundation, People for Education, BC Centre for Social Enterprise, Mid Toronto Community Services and the Ontario Association of Food Banks.
is an independent, non-partisan public policy think tank
housed in the School of Public Policy and Governance. It undertakes applied public policy research and engages in public dialogue on federal issues important to the prosperity and quality of life of Ontario and Canada. The Mowat Centre has a mandate to propose innovative, research-driven public policy recommendations that work on behalf of Canadians in all regions of the country, including Ontario. The Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation was established in 2009 with $5 Million in seed funding from the Ontario Provincial government. The centre is named after Oliver Mowat
, Ontario's longest serving premier and a father of confederation.
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
School of Public Policy and Governance (SPPG) is a public policy
Public policy school
Public policy schools teach students policy analysis, policy studies, public policy, political economy, urban planning, public administration, public affairs, and public management.Public policy schools offer a wide range of public policy degrees...
and public administration school located in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The SPPG is headquartered in the Canadiana Gallery at 14 Queen's Park Crescent West.
SPPG offers a two-year Master of Public Policy
Master of Public Policy
The Master of Public Policy , one of several public policy degrees, is a master's level professional degree that provides training in policy analysis and program evaluation at public policy schools. The MPP program places a focus on the systematic analysis of issues related to public policy and the...
(MPP) program, with a core curriculum emphasizing practical and applied dimensions of policymaking. The program also includes a paid internship during the summer between the first and second year. The school internship partners include the Canadian Federal Public Service, the Ontario Public Service
Government of Ontario
The Government of Ontario refers to the provincial government of the province of Ontario, Canada. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
, the City of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, the City of Mississauga, as well as many non-governmental organizations
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
and research think tanks
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
. SPPG also houses the Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation
Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation
The Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation is an independent, non-partisan public policy research centre located at the University of Toronto School of Public Policy and Governance....
an independent, non-partisan public policy think tank. It undertakes applied public policy research and engages in public dialogue on federal issues important to the prosperity and quality of life of Ontario and Canada.
Academics
Program
The school currently offers a two-year Master of Public PolicyMaster of Public Policy
The Master of Public Policy , one of several public policy degrees, is a master's level professional degree that provides training in policy analysis and program evaluation at public policy schools. The MPP program places a focus on the systematic analysis of issues related to public policy and the...
(MPP) program, with a core curriculum emphasizing practical and applied dimensions of policymaking. The curriculum includes core courses that provide a foundation in subjects ranging from political science and legal analysis to such specific analytic tools and concepts as microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and quantitative methods for policy analysis. The curriculum also includes five electives, taken either at SPPG or other graduate departments on the University of Toronto campus, that allow students to bridge the spheres of domestic policy and international or global policy in order to address the complex issues facing modern governments and other policy-making organizations. Integrating seminars are led by faculty members. Invited visiting public sector leaders and external researchers bridge theory and practice, providing contact with senior professionals in government and the broader public, private and community sectors. In addition to the two-year course work students are required to complete an internship during the summer between the first and second year. The school internship partners include the Canadian Federal Public Service, the Ontario Public Service
Government of Ontario
The Government of Ontario refers to the provincial government of the province of Ontario, Canada. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
, the City of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, the City of Mississauga, as well as many non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
s and research think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
s.
Admissions
Admission to the school's two-year professional Master of Public Policy program is highly competitive. For the 2010 admission cycle the school received 600+ applications for only 40 first year spots, an admission rate of 6-7%. Candidates are selected on a holistic basis. At minimum candidates are required to have a four-year bachelor’s degree, with at least a B+ overall standing in the final year of undergraduate studies. However, due to the high volume of applications there are many more highly qualified candidates than first year spots and simply meeting the minimum requirements is unlikely to be sufficient to gain admission. The school assesses candidates based on 5 factors: an online application form, a statement of purpose, a resume or curriculum vitae, 2 letters of academic recommendation, and an applicant's academic record. In addition, candidates may provide up to an additional two letters of reference from another source (for example, from an employer or volunteer organization). In determining admission the school considers a strong application one that has a high level of cohesion between the 5 supporting documents and the structure and learning objectives of the MPP program.Scholarships
The Cadario Fellowship in Public Policy is an academic and monetary award given to the top students in their second year of the program. The award was created and named after Paul Cadario, a senior manager with the World BankWorld Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
in Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and alumnus
Alumnus
An alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...
of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, after he donated $1 million to U of T’s School of Public Policy and Governance. SPPG students have also been awarded many other prestigious external scholarships and awards, including Cancer Care ON
Cancer Care Ontario
Cancer Care Ontario is the provincial agency responsible for continually improving cancer services, and the Ontario government’s cancer advisor...
grants, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Canadian Institutes of Health Research is the major federal agency responsible for funding health research in Canada. It is the successor to the Medical Research Council of Canada. It aims to create new health knowledge, and to translate that knowledge from the research setting into real world...
(CIHR) grants, Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship program offers 2,000 annual scholarships to eligible students who will pursue graduate studies in order to complete a Master's degree, PhD or Doctorate at a university in Ontario, Canada ....
s (OGS), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada is an arm of the Canadian federal funding agency. SSHRC supports a wide range of research and scholarship in the social sciences and humanities. The current president of the Council is Chad Gaffield.- History :SSHRC was formally...
(SSHRC) grants.
Public Policy and Governance Review
The Public Policy and Governance Review (PPGR) is a dynamic publication by tomorrow’s policy makers and professionals featuring peer-reviewed academic articles, profiles and interviews with policy leaders and innovators, reports from the field, reviews, debates and opinions. It aims to showcase the public policy work of graduate students across Canada, and introduce bold new ideas and fresh insight to the policy problems of the 21st century. The PPGR is published biannually online and was launched in autumn 2009. The PPGR is associated with the Public Policy and Governance Portal, an online space for students, faculty, and practitioners in the Canadian Policy Community.Public Good Initiative
The Public Good Initiative (PGI) is a student-led project that pairs students from the School of Public Policy and Governance (SPPG) with community organizations that can benefit from pro bono consulting services. The intention is to blend the unique attributes and voluntary ethos of the SPPG’s students with the needs of public benefit organizations in and around TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The mission of the PGI is to make a positive contribution to the policy and research capacity of community organizations. The Initiative pushes to find creative solutions with public value to real-world problems. Consulting teams offer recommendations and reports that are grounded in a specialized knowledge of public policy making and analysis. Since its inception in 2008, the PGI has worked with organizations that include Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, Toronto City Summit Alliance, Maytree Foundation, People for Education, BC Centre for Social Enterprise, Mid Toronto Community Services and the Ontario Association of Food Banks.
Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation
The Mowat Centre for Policy InnovationMowat Centre for Policy Innovation
The Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation is an independent, non-partisan public policy research centre located at the University of Toronto School of Public Policy and Governance....
is an independent, non-partisan public policy think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
housed in the School of Public Policy and Governance. It undertakes applied public policy research and engages in public dialogue on federal issues important to the prosperity and quality of life of Ontario and Canada. The Mowat Centre has a mandate to propose innovative, research-driven public policy recommendations that work on behalf of Canadians in all regions of the country, including Ontario. The Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation was established in 2009 with $5 Million in seed funding from the Ontario Provincial government. The centre is named after Oliver Mowat
Oliver Mowat
Sir Oliver Mowat, was a Canadian politician, and the third Premier of Ontario from 1872 to 1896, making him the longest serving premier of that province and the 3rd longest in all of Canadian history...
, Ontario's longest serving premier and a father of confederation.
Notable SPPG faculty
- Mel CappeMel CappeMelvin Samuel "Mel" Cappe, OC is a Canadian civil servant and diplomat. Since June, 2006 he is the President and CEO of the Institute for Research on Public Policy in Montreal. He was most recently Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom...
, Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit... - Ian D. ClarkIan D. ClarkIan D. Clark, CM is a Professor of Public Policy at the University of Toronto, a former Canadian civil servant and former president of the Council of Ontario Universities....
, Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit... - Tony DeanTony Dean (civil servant)Anthony "Tony" Alexander Dean, O.Ont. is a former Ontario civil servant. He was Secretary of the Cabinet, Head of the Ontario Public Service, and the Clerk of the Executive Council from 2002 to 2008....
, Order of OntarioOrder of OntarioThe Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to... - Randall HansenRandall HansenRandall Hansen is a political scientist and historian at the University of Toronto, where he has held a Canada Research Chair in Political Science since 2005. He is a Full Professor and is jointly appointed to the School of Public Policy and Governance....
- Joseph HeathJoseph HeathJoseph Heath is a philosophy professor at the University of Toronto. He also teaches at the School of Public Policy and Governance. He received his BA from McGill University, where his teachers included Charles Taylor, and his MA and PhD degrees are from Northwestern University, where he studied...
- Michael IgnatieffMichael IgnatieffMichael Grant Ignatieff is a Canadian author, academic and former politician. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2008 until 2011...
- Matthew MendelsohnMatthew MendelsohnMatthew Mendelsohn is the founding director of the Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation, a Canadian public policy think tank, and a former Canadian civil servant. He was the deputy minister of the Ontario government's Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs and also the Associate Secretary of the Cabinet...
- Janice SteinJanice SteinJanice Gross Stein, O.Ont, CM, FRSC is a Canadian political scientist and international relations expert.-Career:Stein holds degrees from McGill University , and Yale University...
, Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, Order of OntarioOrder of OntarioThe Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to... - Irvin Studin
- Carolyn Tuohy
External links
- University of Toronto School of Public Policy and Governance
- 2011-12 SPPG brochure
- 2007-08 SPPG brochure
- Public Policy and Governance Review
- The Mowat Centre
- The Public Policy and Governance Portal
- SPPG on Twitter
See also
- University of TorontoUniversity of TorontoThe University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
- Public policy schoolPublic policy schoolPublic policy schools teach students policy analysis, policy studies, public policy, political economy, urban planning, public administration, public affairs, and public management.Public policy schools offer a wide range of public policy degrees...
- Master of Public PolicyMaster of Public PolicyThe Master of Public Policy , one of several public policy degrees, is a master's level professional degree that provides training in policy analysis and program evaluation at public policy schools. The MPP program places a focus on the systematic analysis of issues related to public policy and the...
- Mowat Centre for Policy InnovationMowat Centre for Policy InnovationThe Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation is an independent, non-partisan public policy research centre located at the University of Toronto School of Public Policy and Governance....