Policy Studies (PhD)
Part of the Faculty of Arts
Program Overview
Format : Full-time
Degree Earned : PhD
The PhD in Policy Studies is the first and only interdisciplinary doctoral program of its kind in Canada. The program is designed to prepare a new generation of researchers for positions in academe and the public, non-profit and private sectors at the local, regional, national and international levels.
At a Glance
Admissions information.
- Completion of a master’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.33 / 4.33 (B+) in the last two years of study
- Statement of interest
- Transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- Sample of work
- English language proficiency requirement
More information on admission requirements . Due to the competitive nature of our programs, it is not possible to offer admission to everyone who applies that meets the minimum entrance requirements for the program.
Program-specific requirements
Check Application Deadline
Students are encouraged to submit applications prior to the first consideration date to increase their chances of securing financial support for their graduate studies. Applications received after the first consideration date will be accepted and reviewed based on spaces remaining in the program.
See application dates .
Financing Your Studies
For detailed graduate tuition and fees information please visit Fees by Program .
For information on scholarships, awards and financing your graduate studies visit Financing Your Studies.
Research Areas
- Immigration, Settlement and Diaspora Policies
- Public Policy and Administration
- Social Policy
Sample Courses
- Advanced Qualitative Research
- Foundations of Quantitative Research
- Policy Theories and Approaches
- Research Foundations for Policy Studies
- Statistical Analysis of Social Science Research
Policy Studies (PhD) graduate program calendar
- Downtown Toronto location
- Interdisciplinary faculty
- Strong government and NGO connections
Graduate Admissions
Admissions information and how to apply
Graduate Studies Admissions Office 11th Floor, 1 Dundas Street West Toronto, ON Telephone: 416-979-5150 Email: [email protected] For information specific to programs, please see the program contact information below.
Program Contacts
Dr. Heather Rollwagen Interim Graduate Program Director (until December 31, 2023) Telephone: 416-979-5000 ext. 554197 Email: [email protected]
Ammad Khan Graduate Program Administrator Telephone: 416-979-5000 ext. 557869 Email: [email protected]
“The Policy Studies program allowed me to acquire a solid foundation in research methodology, and strengthen my critical understanding of immigration and settlement policies, trends and debates in Canada and beyond.” Marc Y. Valade, PhD alumnus
Student Profile: Standing Up for Immigrant Women (external link)
Vathsala Illesinghe (policy studies PhD student and Toronto Metropolitan University's first Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar) investigates how immigration policies can make women more independent and less vulnerable to violence.
Find curriculum, course descriptions and important dates for Policy Studies (PhD).
Once you’ve made an informed choice about which program(s) you are going to apply to, preparing your application requires careful research and planning.
At Toronto Metropolitan University, we understand that pursuing graduate studies is a significant financial investment. Funding comes from a combination of employment contracts (as a teaching assistant), scholarships, awards and stipends. There are a number of additional funding sources – internal and external – available to graduate students that can increase these funding levels.
As an urban innovation university, Toronto Metropolitan University offers 60+ cutting-edge, career-oriented graduate programs, as well as 125+ research centres, institutes and labs, in a wide range of disciplines. Our close connections with industry, government and community partners provide opportunities to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges and make a difference.
- Public Policy and Administration
- U of R Home
- Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
Government and the workings of the public sector impact us all.
Canadian governing bodies—Indigenous, federal, provincial, and municipal—rely on the expertise, experience and nonpartisan leadership of individuals working within its institutions and communities to investigate problems and options, design and implement solutions, and administer and evaluate programs that serve citizen needs. As communities and as individuals, we all benefit when they employ policy professionals from diverse backgrounds who are strategic, innovative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial in their thinking.
If you are interested in a fulfilling career that delivers community impact, we encourage you to explore graduate studies available through the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.
Academic (for credit) Programs
The school currently offers the following Academic (for credit) Programs :
Careers in Public Policy and Administration
Our MPA and MPP graduates have gone on to successful careers in the federal, provincial, municipal and Indigenous governments and private, non-governmental and nonprofit agencies, in roles including:
- Senior Government Managers and Officials (Ministers, Assistant Deputy Ministers and Indigenous Chiefs, Executive Directors, Chief Administrator Officers, City Administrators)
- Managers and Chief of Staff
- Regional Program Officers, Program Managers, Senior Policy Advisors
- Policy Analysts, Strategic Analysts and Research Analysts
- Strategic Business Advisors and Strategic Business Development Officers
- Public Affairs Counsellors
- Chiefs of Police, Staff Sergeants and Parole Officers
- Consultants
Professional Development Programs
In addition to its academic programming, the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy offers a variety of short professional development ( non-credit) programs and workshops focused on governance, leadership, and policy. These programs and workshops are designed to address labour market priorities identified by public sector partners and Indigenous communities and are facilitated by former senior public servants now serving as JSGS Executives-in-Residence, and in some instances, partners such as First Nations University of Canada.
About the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
With campuses at the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan, the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS) delivers an innovative and practical education that meets the needs of students, employers and the greater public. Taught by respected scholars and former senior public servants, the school’s programs combine theoretical concepts and applied teachings, so that students gain the knowledge, skills, and a real-world understanding of the practical realities of policymaking and public administration.
Graduates leave career-ready with the professional, analytical, and technical skills required to successfully perform and lead in the public sector.
Quick Facts
Connect with us.
The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School offers a great opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge from class within the practical setting of the Executive Internship Program. Here, I got a true sense of what it is like to work within the provincial government, and was even able to secure long-term employment following graduation. Over the years, I have encountered many successful JSGS alumni at all levels of government, as well as in the private sector across Canada and abroad. My MPA degree has been instrumental in my career, and it continues to open doors through the people that I meet.
I am very pleased with my choice to attend the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School. During my studies I explored cross-campus collaborations, worked closely with government bodies, attended policy events with prominent government leaders, and developed meaningful and innovative research with the support and guidance of faculty who are eager to share their expertise and to see me succeed. I’m so appreciative of my time at JSGS, as the knowledge and research skills that I gained are directly relevant to the work that I’m doing with the Saskatchewan Health Quality Council.
Public Policy and Administration Learn more about programs offered at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
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