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Questions and answers about MPS


Why does Waterloo offer a Master of Public Service program?

How many students are in a typical MPS cohort?

Why is the tuition higher than other Masters’ programs?

How is the MPS program different from graduate programs in Public Policy or Public Administration?


Is the program available on a part-time basis?

How will my ‘last-two-year’ average or GPA be calculated?

What should I include in my MPS application’s Statement of Interest?

When will offers for MPS admission be made to applicants?

Do I need French language skills for the program?


Can international students apply to the MPS program?

Considering there are two MPS courses in finance, do I have to have strong mathematics skills?

Could I work part-time while doing the MPS program?

Could I get a TA or RA job while doing the MPS program?

How will I find a good co-op work term?

What kinds of co-op jobs might be available?

What is the pay range can I expect to earn during the co-op term?

What kinds of topics would the major team project cover?

What types of public service careers could an MPS graduate enter?

What are the key skills government looks for in potential employees?

Why does Waterloo offer a Master of Public Service program?
A professional public service is essential to good government, and Canada's public servants are well-educated and highly skilled. However, as many senior public servants retire over the coming years, governments at all levels will need capable and experienced recruits to develop and implement policies, manage programs and deliver services to Canadians. This was the message we received during our extensive consultations with senior-level public servants and stakeholders. Accordingly, the primary aims of the MPS program are:

 

How many students are in a typical MPS cohort?
Enrolment in the MPS program is typically around 48 students per year.

 

Why is the tuition higher than other Masters’ programs?
Similar to MBA programs, the MPS program provides professional graduate training focused on developing the specific skills and knowledge needed for career advancement. While the MPS tuition is approximately $700 more per term than “research-based” graduate programs at Waterloo, in comparison with the fees charged by other professional graduate programs offered in Canada, MPS tuition is relatively modest.

 

How is the MPS program different from graduate programs in Public Policy or Public Administration?
With its structured range of required courses, its required 8-month co-op work term and the collaborative team project, the MPS program is distinguished from other public service training programs which typically offer optional work experience or a project/thesis.

Unlike graduate programs in public policy, the MPS program aims to prepare students for a range of public service responsibilities and gives equal emphasis to the three components of courses, co-op and project. Unlike existing graduate programs in public administration, which typically cater to established public servants seeking to upgrade or professionalize their skills and credentials, the MPS program has been specifically tailored to transition recent graduates into entry-level professional positions in the Canadian public service.

MPS students develop critical knowledge of government today (courses), applied skills and practice through on-the-job learning (co-op) and experience in team-based research and analysis (major team project). Through these three required components, the MPS degree prepares new public servants to provide quality policy advice to decision-makers and effectively implement government programs.

Is the program available on a part-time basis?
No, at this point MPS is only available as a full-time program.

 

How will my ‘last-two-year’ average or GPA be calculated?
For MPS applicants who are currently completing their 4th year of the Honours Bachelor’s degree, the transcripts received with your application will likely reflect your marks up to December. UW Graduate Admissions will count back 20 courses (or the most recent two years of  full-time coursework) to determine if your last-two-year average meets the MPS requirement (minimum 78%).  If you are offered a place in the program, it is conditional upon maintaining (or improving) that calculated GPA in your final term. It is very rare that students accepted into a program do not meet their final grade conditions.

 

What should I include in my MPS application’s Statement of Interest?
The Statement of Interest is a 500-word document you will be asked to paste into the online application. Take time to prepare your Statement of Interest before completing the online application. You should consider the following questions in preparing your Statement of Interest:

When will offers for MPS admission be made to applicants?
The admissions committee meets in late February to review the applications and decisions will be communicated to applicants within the month of March.

 


Do I need French language skills for the program?
French proficiency is not a requirement for enrolling in the MPS program. However, since federal and some provincial public servants must be bilingual, it is recommended that students who intend to work within those governments have at least moderate French language skills. The MPS program includes an optional course for students to strengthen their French language skills.

 

Can international students apply to the MPS program?
Yes, we do consider international applicants, but it’s important that you understand the program content is specifically focused on Canadian systems and functions of government. In addition, note that jobs in government (including co-op jobs) require excellent communication skills in one of Canada's official languages, English and French.

Considering there are two MPS courses in finance, do I have to have strong mathematics skills?
No, you do not need to provide evidence of advanced math skills. Like all the MPS courses, the two finance courses are designed for students with different levels of knowledge and experience, and will focus on familiarizing students with real-world accounting and economic analysis practices rather than emphasizing mathematics.

 

Could I work part-time while doing the MPS program?
While UW graduate regulations state that full-time graduate students may work up to 10 hours per week outside their program, MPS students are strongly advised against doing part-time work during the first two terms of courses. Students will be very busy with their five required courses, and should not jeopardize their program achievements with extra-curricular work. During the two terms of co-op work, students will be earning an income. During the final term (5th term) when students are back on campus for their major project, part-time work outside the program MAY be manageable.

 

 

Could I be a TA while doing the MPS program?
No. The reason for this is that MPS is defined as a “course-based” or professional program rather than a research program (a regular MA for example).  Professional programs do not offer funding in the form of scholarships or teaching assistantships.

 

How will I find a good co-op work term?
The 8-month co-op work experience is facilitated by Waterloo’s Co-operative Education and Career Services (CECS). During the second term MPS students begin searching and applying for co-op opportunities via JobMine, the University’s co-op job bank, or via their own independent job search. Students are encouraged to seek out co-op jobs that interest them, which are then approved by their Co-op Advisor in the CECS office. For more information about Waterloo’s co-op terms, visit the Co-op Ed website.

 

What kinds of co-op jobs might be available?
MPS students have found co-op jobs in federal, provincial and municipal government agencies, with titles such as: Policy Analyst, Economic Development Intern, Junior Economist, Research Assistant, Business Analyst, and Assistant to Chief of Staff. Note: many government co-op jobs are located in the Ottawa and Toronto regions, and in other provincial capitals. Students who are willing to relocate are therefore much more likely to get a good co-op job.

 

What is the pay range I can expect to earn during the co-op term?
Waterloo’s Co-operative Education & Career Services does not establish or recommend pay range for co-op placements; rather, pay is established by the employer. Here are samples of pay rates for federal government co-op jobs.

 

What kinds of topics would the major team project cover?
Teams of MPS students will develop a major project proposal based on a public service issue that is of particular interest to them. Topics may be derived from the coursework or co-op work experience or may address a current issue faced by Canadian governments. Topic selection is flexible to allow for creativity, but students will be expected to simulate a realistic public service assignment and produce a professional, thorough analysis which demonstrates the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the MPS program. Some examples of broad topics that teams may investigate include:

 

What types of public service careers could an MPS graduate enter?
All branches of government (from federal to local) require expertise in a vast range of areas. Depending partly on the student’s undergraduate field of study and the branch of government he/she specialized in during the program, MPS grads will be well prepared for careers in areas such as

 

What are the key skills government looks for in potential employees?
Our consultations with senior public servants from all levels of government consistently indicated that the top skills and attributes required of public servants today include:

Furthermore, a recent Public Service Commission of Canada recruitment notice, distributed to university departments, gives a clear indication of the qualities sought in new employees: ”... outstanding leadership abilities, a proven record of academic excellence and the desire to resolve the most complex problems facing our country”.  Each year the Commission recruits from universities; the Waterloo MPS program is designed to provide the tailored and advanced training needed to respond to this call for a new and highly-prepared generation of public servants.