Program Requirements

Thesis Based Option

Students are required to complete 9.0 units of coursework (four required courses and two electives) and a 6.0 thesis, for a total of 15.0 units.
Required Courses
SPP 510 (1.5) - Policy Context of Practice
SPP 516 (1.5) - Research Methodologies
SPP 519 (1.5) - Theory for Policy and Practice
SPP 550 (1.5) - Advanced Thesis Seminar
SPP 599 (6.0) - Thesis

Electives
In addition to the required courses, students must complete 3.0 units of elective courses. One elective must be an SPP course; usually two electives are SPP courses. Students wishing to take a course offered through another academic unit as an elective need the permission of the Program. In choosing your electives, talk with the Graduate Advisor for the Program and/or your thesis supervisor.
*Please note that not all electives are offered every year.
Elective Courses
SPP 501 (1.5) Organizational Context of Practice
SPP 520 (1.5) Advanced Methodology Seminar
SPP 522 (1.5) Critically Engaging with Research
SPP 530 (1.5) Advanced Policy and Practice Seminar
SPP 531 (1.5) Critical Approaches to Policy Analysis
SPP 580 (1.5 or 3.0) Special Topics
SPP 590 (1.5 or 3.0) Directed Studies

Thesis
Prior to beginning work on their thesis students must complete, and have approved by their supervisory committee, a proposal of 20-25 pages. The thesis itself is to be approximately 100 pages in length.

Program Length
Full-time students are expected to complete the program in three years or less. Part time students are given five years to complete the program.

Non-Thesis Based Option

This option involves 12.0 units of course work and a 3.0-unit Extended Essay. At least 13.5 units must be at the graduate level; 1.5 units may be selected from undergraduate listings with permission from the program.
Required Courses
SPP 501 (1.5) Organizational Context of Practice
SPP 510 (1.5) Policy Context of Practice
SPP 519 (1.5) Theory for Policy and Practice
SPP 522 (1.5) Critically Engaging with Research
SPP 531 (1.5) Critical Approaches to Policy Analysis
SPP 598 (3.0) Extended Essay

Elective Courses
In addition to the required courses, students must complete 4.5 units of elective courses. One elective must be an SPP course; usually two electives are SPP courses. Students wishing to take a course offered through another academic unit as an elective need the permission of the Program. In choosing your electives, talk with the Graduate Advisor for the Program and/or your thesis supervisor.
*Please note that not all electives are offered every year.
Elective Courses
SPP 516 (1.5) - Research Methodologies
SPP 520 (1.5) Advanced Methodology Seminar
SPP 530 (1.5) Advanced Policy and Practice Seminar
SPP 580 (1.5 or 3.0) Special Topics
SPP 590 (1.5 or 3.0) Directed Studies

Extended Essay
Students are required to complete an extended essay and enrol in SPP 598 (3.0) while they are working on this component of their program. The extended essay will entail an in-depth examination of a topic related to policy and practice.

Oral Presentation
Students in the non-thesis option will be supervised by a committee consisting of their academic supervisor and one other faculty member and will make an oral presentation based on their work upon approval of the Extended Essay by committee members.

Program Length
Full-time students are expected to complete the program in three years or less. Part time students are given five years to complete the program.