Public and International Affairs York University

Overview

Course Details 

The Public and International Affairs MPIA program at York University has three distinguishing features. First, it is bilingual, students being required to take one-third of their courses and do their assignments in them in Canada's other official language. Second, it seeks to fuse together theory and practical knowledge. Instructors are both academics and practitioners. Students learn to write briefing notes and memos to senior government officials.

They do a paid supervised internship with a government department, an international agency, or a non-governmental organization. Those students at York University who wish to pursue an academic career have the opportunity to do a major research paper in their final year. Third, it is multidisciplinary and integrative: students are exposed in their courses to different methodological approaches and skills. The second-year Capstone Seminar is designed to bring together these diverse aptitudes in a dynamic learning environment.

As its name suggests, the Public and International Affairs has a strong international component. It encourages second-year students to go on a one-term exchange or to opt for the double Masters degree the MPIA has with the Université de Strasbourg in France. Our programme boasts a very high success rate in placing its graduates in enriching jobs in the federal or provincial civil service, as well as in international organizations or local bodies.