• www.mun.ca/hss/publicpolicy
• www.mun.ca/hss/about/contact/coordinators.php

The Certificate in Public Policy is administered by the Department of Political Science.

The Certificate in Public Policy is designed for those who are interested in the study of governance and policy responses to public issues. The program's objective is to provide foundational knowledge that is essential for exploring topical issues in diverse policy fields and settings. The program is structured around introductory and advanced core courses in Political Science that promote understanding of the theoretical parameters of public policy, such as the processes and mechanisms that are relied upon to define and solve policy problems. These core skills and competencies are used in the analysis and study of public policy in a variety of interdisciplinary fields.

Students intending to complete a certificate program within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences must meet the Admission requirements as outlined in the University Calendar. Students are also advised to consult the University Calendar regarding General Regulations for Certificate Programs and Graduation Requirements.

Throughout their program of study, students are encouraged to contact an academic advisor or the Coordinator of the Certificate in Public Policy for assistance with course planning, declaring their program of study, prerequisite and registration issues, and with questions about the eligibility of any courses not listed here.

A tentative list of upcoming course offerings in the program can be found at www.mun.ca/hss/courses.php.

Students interested in a Certificate in Public Policy are first encouraged to consult with the Program Coordinator to discuss the requirements of the program. After consultation with the Coordinator, students wishing to enroll in the certificate can declare a Certificate in Public Policy by contacting the Office of the Registrar. Information about declaring a program of study in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is available at www.mun.ca/hss/programs/undergraduate/ideclare.php.

As part of the Certificate in Public Policy, students must complete a concentration in a policy subfield, which comprises foundation courses up to the 3000-level and is overseen by a designated department. Students are encouraged to take courses in the concentration after completing initial foundation-level courses in public policy offered by the Department of Political Science. A student is not eligible to complete more than one concentration.

The Concentration in Economic Policy is overseen by the Department of Economics. Approved courses feature a foundation-level focus on the interrelationships between public policy, political institutions and economic systems.

The Concentration in Urban and Regional Policy is overseen by the Department of Geography. Approved courses feature a foundation-level focus on public policy concerning broad concepts of regionalism, municipal governance, and sub-national planning.

The Concentration in Governance is overseen by the Department of Political Science. Approved courses feature a foundation-level focus on the public policy process within government, emphasizing constitutional, legal and internal procedural factors.

The Certificate in Public Policy consists of 21 credit hours as follows:

1. • 6 credit hours chosen from Political Science 1000, 1010, 2600, 3600, including at least one of Political Science 2600, 3600;

2. 12 credit hours chosen from one of the following designated policy concentrations:

   1. Economic Policy: Economics 1010 (or the former 2010), Economics 1020 (or the former 2020), and 6 additional credit hours chosen from Table 1 Approved Courses for the Concentration in Economic Policy, including at least 3 credit hours in Economics at the 3000-level; or

   2. Urban and Regional Policy: Geography 1050, 2302 and 6 additional credit hours chosen from Table 2 Approved Courses for the Concentration in Urban and Regional Policy, including at least 3 credit hours in Geography 3350, 3701; or

   3. Governance: 3 credit hours chosen from Political Science 3600 or 3620 (excluding Political Science 3600 if previously completed to fulfill the requirements in 1. above), and a minimum of 9 additional credit hours at the 3000-level chosen from Table 3 Approved Courses for the Concentration in Governance, including at least 3 credit hours in Canadian Governance and 3 credit hours in International Governance; and

3. 3 credit hours in Political Science 4600 or 4630.

Not all courses are offered every semester. Students are strongly advised to consult with the Program Coordinator for assistance with course planning, and to generally follow Table 4 Suggested Course Sequencing for the Certificate in Public Policy.

Eligible 4000-level credit hours may be substituted following the process outlined in General Regulations for Certificate Programs.

Many approved courses are suitable for students in all disciplines without a background in the discipline. Other approved courses may have prerequisites.

A student who completed the Certificate in Public Administration or the Certificate in Regional Policy and Development offered by the former Division of Lifelong Learning is also eligible to complete a Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Certificate in Public Policy.