Public Service - Master of Public Service (MPS)

Hagey Hall expansion building

Hagey Hall Hub located on Waterloo's main campus

Hone your leadership and administrative expertise through comprehensive coursework, research, and hands-on experience with the Master of Public Service program.

You’ll be equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to succeed at the federal, provincial and local levels of the public service in Canada.    

The program cultivates your abilities in public policy, governance, and administration. You'll be taught by professors from a wide range of disciplines such as english, economics, accounting, sociology, and political science, and participate in seminars and classes led by senior-level public servants. The program's final project is a major team assignment, where you and a group of your peers will analyze a salient public issue.  

By the end of the program, you’ll be prepared to navigate the multifaceted landscape of public service and pursue an influential role in various levels of government across Canada, contributing to the development and implementation of policies that shape our nation.


Program highlights

  • Specialized public sector training to realize your career goals.  
  • Network and build community with your classmates and potential future colleagues.  
  • Learn from experts in the field. 

Program overview

Department/School: Public Service
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Master's, Professional
Length of program: 12 months
Registration option(s): Full-time
Study option(s): Coursework

Application deadlines

  •  February 1 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

Sheila McConnell
sheila.mcconnell@uwaterloo.ca
 

Admission requirements

  • Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree (or graduate degree), or equivalent from any discipline, with an average of at least 75% in the final two years of the degree.

Degree requirements

  • Review the degree requirements on the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree

Application materials

  • Resume
    • Maximum of two pages
  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement

      If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion
  • Transcript(s)
  • References
    • Three references, at least two academic
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

Tuition and fees