Public Policy at the University of Toronto:
The Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto is the country’s top department for public policy and one of the few Political Science PhD programs in North America that allows students to complete a field specialization in Public Policy. With a roster of distinguished faculty working in a range of areas, and top notch training, this field specialization provides students with a deep understanding of current theoretical approaches to the study of public policy, while giving students the methodological tools and analytical skills to analyze public decision-making and scrutinize the impact of policies on various populations. In doing so, the field encourages a deep understanding of central issues of power and the scope, means and distributive outcomes of policy making, and allows students to engage with the practical and real world problems of today.
Why Study Public Policy?
The study of public policy lends itself to the exploration of a wide array of domestic and international topics through various quantitative and qualitative research methods. Students in this field are able to engage with both theory and applied methods to address contemporary world problems. Upon graduation, students of the public policy subfield successfully find positions in academia as well as the public and private sector.
Students in this field will complete an intensive core course that examines key concepts and debates, and focuses on important topics in the study of public policy. This core course is geared toward establishing expertise in the field of public policy through preparing students for the major field exam. Students supplement their core knowledge of this field, and expand their understanding of special topics, by taking graduate courses available through the Department of Political Science.
What do Public Policy students work on?
Our students work on a wide range of research areas such as:
- Education Policy
- Environment, Energy and Public Policy
- Indigenous Peoples and Public Policy
- Migration Policy
- Public Policy and the Global South
- Public Policy in Canada
- Research, Development and Innovation Policy
- Social Policy
- Tax Policy
To view some of the dissertations currently in progress by our students, as well as recently completed theses click here. Our faculty can be found on our main faculty page by searching in the area section of the ‘sort listing’ drop-down menu.
What courses can I take?
For a list of current Public Policy courses see the current timetable.
What have our Public Policy students gone on to do?
Our alumni are making an impact working as academics and policy professionals across Canada and internationally in diverse roles within government, the broader public sector, the not-for-profit sector, and other private organizations. To see what some of them alumni are up to click here.