About the Program
Solving real-world policy challenges requires the use of multi-disciplinary tools to analyze problems, determine the best means to deal with those problems, and decide on the best course of action. An undergraduate Major in Public Policy provides a unique opportunity for students in Social Science disciplines to think in an interdisciplinary way, by drawing on theories and approaches, as well as tool kits developed in the core disciplines of Economics and Political Science, and beyond. Students in this program develop theoretical and applied reasoning skills in policy analysis, as well as a solid grounding in quantitative methods and research.
The Major in Public Policy is offered jointly by the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, the Department of Economics, and the Department of Political Science. Students enrol after first year and must meet the prerequisite conditions for all second-year and higher courses.
This is an Arts program, 7.5 FCEs
Admission information
This is a limited enrolment program that accommodates a limited number of students. Admission will be determined by a student’s average marks in the required first year courses. Achieving the minimum required marks does not necessarily guarantee admission to the program in any given year.
Enrolment Requirements
This is a limited enrolment program. Students must have completed 4.0 credits and meet the requirements listed below to enrol.
Variable Minimum Grade
A minimum grade/minimum grade average in required courses is needed for entry, and this minimum changes each year depending on available spaces and the number of applicants. The following courses must be completed:
- ECO101H1 & ECO102H1(with an average final mark of at least 67%) or ECO105Y1 (with a final mark of at least 80%), and one of the following four options (1.0 credit):
- POL101Y1, or 1.0 credit from POL101H1, POL106H1, POL107H1 or POL109H1, with a grade of 67% in each course
- 1.0 credit from Munk One courses (MUN105Y1, MUN101H1, MUN102H1), with a grade of 75% in each course
- 1.0 credit from Trinity One Public Policy courses (TRN160Y1 or TRN161Y1) with a grade of 75%
- 1.0 credit from Vic One Pearson policy stream courses (VIC181H1, VIC183H1, VIC184H1 or VIC185H1) with a grade of 75% in each course
To ensure that students admitted to the program will be prepared, applicants with a final grade lower than the minimum grades stated above will not be considered for admission. Please note that obtaining this minimum final grade does not guarantee admission to the program.
Notes:
- Students entering from Munk One/Trinity One/Vic One course options will be ineligible to take upper year POL courses until they have completed POL214Y1 or (POL218H1, POL219H1)
- Students expecting to choose ECO courses in their second year or higher must complete MAT133Y1 or the combination of MAT135H1 and MAT136H1 in their first year, to meet required prerequisites for ECO courses. If MAT133Y1 or (MAT135H1, MAT136H1) is not taken, students will not be eligible to enrol in 200+-level ECO courses, and must take PPG200H1 to fulfil program requirements in lieu of ECO200Y1/ECO204Y1/ECO206Y1.
Completion Requirements
(7.5 credits)
First Year:
- One of the following four options (1.0 credit):
– POL101Y1, or 1.0 credit from POL101H1, POL106H1, POL107H1 or POL109H1, with a grade of 67% in each course
– 1.0 credit from Munk One courses (MUN105Y1, MUN101H1, MUN102H1), with a grade of 75% in each course
– 1.0 credit from Trinity One Public Policy courses (TRN160Y1 or TRN161Y1) with a grade of 75%
– 1.0 credit from Vic One Pearson policy stream courses (VIC181H1, VIC183H1, VIC184H1 or VIC185H1) with a grade of 75% in each course
- ECO100Y1 or ECO101H1 & ECO102H1 (with a combined average of at least 67%) or ECO105Y1 (with a final mark of at least 80%).
- Students expecting to choose ECO courses in their second year or higher must complete MAT133Y1 or the combination of MAT135H1 and MAT136H1 in their first year, to meet required prerequisites for ECO courses. If MAT133Y1 or (MAT135H1, MAT136H1) is not taken, students will not be eligible to enrol in 200+-level ECO courses, and must take PPG200H1 to fulfil program requirements in lieu of ECO200Y1/ECO204Y1/ ECO206Y1.
Second Year:
- ECO200Y1/ECO204Y1/ECO206Y1/PPG200H1
- Students expecting to choose ECO courses in their second year or higher must complete MAT133Y1 or the combination of MAT135H1 and MAT136H1 in their first year, to meet required prerequisites for ECO courses. If MAT133Y1 or (MAT135H1, MAT136H1) is not taken, students will not be eligible to enrol in 200+-level ECO courses, and must take PPG200H1 to fulfil program requirements in lieu of ECO200Y1/ECO204Y1/ECO206Y1.
- 1.0 credit from ECO220Y1, (POL222H1+POL232H1), SOC202H1, STA220H1, STA221H1, STA248H1, STA255H1, STA261H1
- One of the following three options (1.0 credit):
– POL214Y1
– 1.0 credit from POL201H1, JPI201H1, POL214H1, POL223H1, POL224H1, of which at least 0.5 credit must be POL214H1 or POL224H1.
– POL218H1 and POL219H1
Third and Fourth Years:
- PPG301H1
- PPG401H1
- Remaining courses to reach the 7.5 credits will be drawn from 300+-level drawn from Economics, Political Science, Sociology, or related disciplines.
Students may enroll in the PPG Undergraduate Major after their first- or second-year of study. Achieving the minimum grades outlined does not necessarily guarantee admission to the program in any given year.
Click here for Admission Requirements for the Undergraduate Major in Public Policy
Public Policy Courses
This is a course in microeconomic theory for policy analysis.
Read MoreThe PPG301H1 course introduces students to the study of public policy and the policy process.
Read MoreThis course explores the complexity of current government policymaking in comparative perspective.
Read More
