Make a difference in Canada's public service

Open to students with an Honours Bachelor's degree (or graduate degree) from any discipline, the MPS program provides an advanced education, covering important subjects such as government structure and functions, current public issues, policy development and values and ethics. Students also develop critical and applied skills in communication, finance, leadership and project management. The 20-month program combines coursework, an 8-month paid co-operative work experience and a major team project.

Courses

MPS students complete ten graduate courses focused on government, which draw upon a range of academic disciplines. Taught by Waterloo faculty members and enhanced by visiting senior public servants, MPS courses are designed to equip students with transferable skills and focused knowledge in areas such as critical thinking and analysis, problem-solving and decision-making, social awareness, and working effectively in diverse, mixed teams.

Co-op

Effective training for the public service should include on-the-job experience, so the MPS program incorporates an 8-month paid co-op work term. Through Waterloo's world-class Co-operative Education service, MPS students have access to JobMine, which posts employment opportunities with public sector agencies at the national, provincial and local level. In pursuit of a co-op work term, students complete an application and interview process facilitated on-campus by Co-operative Education and Career Services (CECS). For information on the co-op process, visit this Frequently Asked Questions section of the CECS website.

Major Team Project

In the final term of study, students work collaboratively in teams to research a public issue and prepare a professional, comprehensive report that draws on the expertise they have developed in the MPS program.