FAQ

The program admits approximately 35-45 students each year, including approximately 5-10 part-time students. There is only one intake each year in September.

No. Applications from interested students with degrees in various undergraduate disciplines are encouraged.

Students come from diverse academic and practitioner backgrounds. Part-time students are mostly drawn from the federal, provincial and municipal public service and non-profit organizations. These students have diverse academic backgrounds including undergraduate degrees in the social sciences, humanities, sciences and engineering and bring to the classroom “hands on” practical experience. Full-time students also come from diverse academic backgrounds with strong interests in pursuing careers in the public, para-public, non-profit and private sectors.

Courses are offered in the fall, winter and spring/summer terms. Scheduling of courses is designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time students. Most courses are offered in 3-hour blocks during the afternoons or evenings, once a week. Spring courses may be offered in intensive mode formats. For more details, see Course Offerings.

The Department has been teaching Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University since 1962, so the TMU Library has a comprehensive collection of books, journals and on-line services in these areas; additional resources have been committed to expanding this collection. The library is centrally located and provides a wireless ready and networked space for graduate students.

In addition to the TMU Library, students in the program have access to resources available via various government departments and Publications Ontario which is located blocks from Toronto Metropolitan University’s main campus.

All incoming full-time students are offered an entrance scholarship. Full- and part-time students may also have access to graduate teaching assistant and/or research assistant positions. See also Awards.

Most full-time students complete the program in 12-16 months. Those taking the course or Major Research Paper option tend to complete the program in 12 months. Students electing to do a thesis may take an extra term or two. The maximum completion time for full-time students is 36 months. Most part-time students take 20-28 months to complete. The maximum time for completion for part-time students is 60 months.