Taking aim at the public policy deficit

The School of Public Policy announces Master of Public Policy degree

CALGARY, Nov. 25 /CNW/ - At a media conference held today, University of Calgary President Dr. Elizabeth Cannon and Dr. Jack Mintz, director of The School of Public Policy, unveiled a new and innovative Master of Public Policy degree program.

Grounded in the practical, global and focused approach of The School of Public Policy, the 12-month Master of Public Policy degree is the most practical and robust program of its kind in Canada. 

"The need for a graduate degree in public policy is glaring," Mintz said. "An oncoming wave of retirement in the civil service is heading our way. Canada is losing its most experienced civil servants.  Traditional public policy degree programs simply cannot graduate the numbers needed to fill this gap." 

Mintz also noted a growing gap between the needs of the civil service and business.

"Both business and government have told us unequivocally that a school of public policy must bridge this gap, educating and placing people who are trained not just to work in public policy but to make public policy work."

Biased towards the practical, hands-on business of policy making, as opposed to theoretical education, the Master of Public Policy Program is now accepting applications from executives interested or engaged in public policy, as well as exceptional undergraduates from all fields.  The first year class, commencing September 2011, will be limited to 35 students. 

"The School of Public Policy has again demonstrated its leadership with this program," Dr. Cannon said. "The School is already the most cited and influential policy school in Canada.  Its influence will be even greater when its graduates start impacting policy making in Canada." 

Information on the degree program can be found at www.policyschool.ca/students. 

For further information:

or for interviews contact:

Morten Paulsen
403.399.3377
[email protected]