Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctorate in Philosophy Public Administration

The School of Political Studies, located in the Faculty of Social Science, offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts (MA) and the Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Public Administration. The main objective of the master programs is to provide students with leading-edge theoretical and conceptual knowledge to enable them to understand and analyze public administration, as well as equipping them with the know-how and skills necessary for success in a constantly changing organizational environment.

Program Objectives and Structure

• The MA program aims to familiarize students with critical methods of knowledge production and to develop their capacity for conducting basic and applied research.
• The PhD program aims to prepare students for academic and research careers.
• The programs offer two fields or concentrations in public administration: public management and public policy.
• These fields are not mutually exclusive, but constitute the two main components of public administration studies.
• The MA program is offered both full- and part-time, whereas the PhD program is offered full-time only.
• The programs are offered in French and English, and the use of both languages is encouraged.

Admission Requirements

• Admission to the graduate program in Public Administration is governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.
• To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a master's degree in Public Administration or in a related discipline with a minimum average of 75% (B+).
• An active knowledge of French and English is essential.
• All students must successfully complete the course PAP 8510 given in French only and must be able to read texts in French and in English.
• Students whose first language is other than French or English must provide proof in their application of their level of competence in these languages.

Program Requirements

• The program is structured around two fields: public management and public policy.
• Students must choose one as their major field and the other as their minor field.
• The choice of major field will be linked to their research interests.
• The following requirements must be met:
  • Course List:
    • PAP 8111 Research Seminar in Public Administration II
    • PAP 8510 Séminaire de recherche en administration publique I
    • PAP 9310 Public Management
    • PAP 9311 Public Policy
    • 3 course units from one of the following seminars:
      • PAP 9320 Seminar in Major Field: Public Management
      • PAP 9330 Seminar in Major Field: Public Policy
  • Comprehensive Examinations:
    • PAP 9988 Comprehensive Examination - Minor Field
    • PAP 9989 Comprehensive Examination - Major Field
  • Thesis Proposal: PAP 9997 Thesis proposal
  • Thesis: THD 9999 Doctoral Thesis

Duration and Minimum Standards

• The requirements of the program are usually fulfilled within four years.
• The maximum time permitted is six years from the date of initial enrollment in the program, or seven years in the case of students transferring from the master's to the doctorate.
• The passing grade in all courses is C+.
• Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 units), the thesis proposal, or whose research progress is deemed unsatisfactory are required to withdraw.

Thesis Advisory Committee

• During the first term of the program, a thesis advisory committee (TAC) is formed for the candidate.
• The Committee's membership will be determined by the specific interests of the candidate.
• It will be composed of the supervisor and 2-3 additional professors.
• At least one member of the thesis committee, in addition to the supervisor, must be from the Faculty of Social Sciences.
• The TAC is responsible for guiding the student throughout the program, including course selection, the comprehensive examination, thesis proposal, and thesis defense.

Research at the University of Ottawa

• Located in the heart of Canada's capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa ranks among Canada's top 10 research universities.
• Our research is founded on excellence, relevance, and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Our research community thrives in four strategic areas:
  • Creating a sustainable environment
  • Advancing just societies
  • Shaping the digital world
  • Enabling lifelong health and wellness

Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences

• The Faculty of Social Sciences represents a place of excellence in knowledge creation, research, and training.
• Driven by both disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives, research at the Faculty is rich, innovative, and varied, contributing to the depth of understanding and breadth of discussions on a variety of issues nationally and internationally.
• We have identified five research themes which collectively represent a large proportion of the research undertaken at the Faculty of Social Sciences:
  • International Studies
  • Francophonie
  • Public Policy
  • Health, Well-Being
  • Justice, Society

Facilities, Research Centres, and Institutes

• Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Citizenship and Minorities (CIRCEM)
• Centre for International Policy Studies (CIPS)
• Centre for Public Management and Policy
• Centre for Research on Educational and Community Service (CRECS)
• Centre on Governance (COG)
• Human Rights Research and Education Centre (affiliation)
• Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies
• Institute for Science, Society and Policy

Course Offerings

• PAP 6101 Globalization and Continental Integration
• PAP 6102 Democratic Governance
• PAP 61021 Democratic Governance (Part 1 of 2)
• PAP 61022 Democratic Governance (Part 2 of 2)
• PAP 6103 Research Methods
• PAP 6110 Theories of Public Management
• PAP 6111 Theories of Public Policy
• PAP 6120 Ethics in the Public Sector
• PAP 6121 Public Administration: Coordination and Consistency
• PAP 6122 Culture and Power in Public Organisations
• PAP 6130 Selected Themes in Public Administration
• PAP 6501 Mondialisation et intégration continentale
• PAP 6502 Gouvernance démocratique
• PAP 65021 Gouvernance démocratique (Partie 1 de 2)
• PAP 65022 Gouvernance démocratique (Partie 2 de 2)
• PAP 6503 Méthodes de recherche
• PAP 6510 Théories en gestion publique
• PAP 6511 Théories en politiques publiques
• PAP 6520 Éthique publique
• PAP 6521 Administration publique: Coordination et cohérence
• PAP 6522 Cultures et pouvoir dans les organisations publiques
• PAP 6530 Thčmes choisis en administration publique
• PAP 6901 Projet / Project
• PAP 6941 Stage I / Placement I
• PAP 6942 Stage II / Placement II
• PAP 6980 Lecture dirigée / Directed Readings
• PAP 6998 Projet de thčse / Thesis Proposal
• PAP 7998 Mémoire / Research Paper
• PAP 8111 Research Seminar in Public Administration II
• PAP 8510 Séminaire de recherche en administration publique I
• PAP 8511 Séminaire de recherche en administration publique II
• PAP 9310 Public Management
• PAP 9311 Public Policy
• PAP 9320 Seminar in Major Field: Public Management
• PAP 9330 Seminar in Major Field: Public Policy
• PAP 9710 Gestion publique
• PAP 9711 Politiques publiques
• PAP 9720 Séminaire dans le champ majeur: Gestion publique
• PAP 9730 Séminaire dans le champ majeur: Politiques publique
• PAP 9980 Lecture dirigée / Directed Readings
• PAP 9988 Examen de synthčse - champ mineur / Comprehensive Examination - Minor Field
• PAP 9989 Examen de synthčse - champ majeur / Comprehensive Examination - Major Field
• PAP 9997 Projet de thčse de doctorat / Thesis proposal