Master of Public Administration Program

For nearly 50 years, students have been earning Masters in Public Administration (MPA) degrees through an innovative program jointly offered by the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg. Students acquire in-depth knowledge of the theory and practice of Canadian public administration through both core and elective courses and experiential learning. 

Graduates go on to careers in public service, providing expert non-partisan support to government, as well as private and not-for-profit sectors. We welcome students with a broad range of disciplines and backgrounds into our competitive program.

On this page

Quick facts about the program

Curriculum

  • In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section, students must complete:

    • 36 credit hours of study, including:
      • 24 credit hours of required/core courses 
      • 12 credit hours of optional courses 
    • Two mandatory co-op placements

    There is no thesis or comprehensive examination. However, students are required to complete a major paper as part of the capstone seminar.

    Co-op placements

    Students in the MPA program are required to complete two co-op placements. These work terms enhance in-class learning with on-the-job experience, giving students the opportunity to gain experience with full-time, paid positions in the public or non-profit sector.

  • Core course offerings

    • POLS 7130: Theories and Issues in Public Administration (3 credit hours)
    • POLS 7132: Public Policy Process and Issues (3 credit hours)
    • POLS 7134: Qualitative Methods and Communications in the Public Sector (3 credit hours)
    • POLS 7136: Governance and Administration (3 credit hours)
    • POLS 7138: Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis (3 credit hours)
    • POLS 7140: Principles of Public Finance for Policy Analysis (3 credit hours)
    • POLS 7980: Professional Development Workshops (3 credit hours)
    • POLS 7990: Capstone Seminar (3 credit hours)

    For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

News and events

  • A group of adults wearing graduation caps and gowns holding diplomas smiling at the camera.

    MPA graduates at the 2025 convocation ceremony held at UM.

  • 2025 MPA Graduates

    The Masters of Public Administration Program would like to congratulate the 14 MPA students who graduated in 2025. 

    Maryam Abdullah, Edel Barrera, Tabitha Clavecillas, Delaney Coelho, Roman Ellis, Alina Hart, Keeley Johnson, Kafui Kounhundé, Beth Ladyka, Celina Oster, Kirandeep Pandher, Sandra Tombo, Alexa Wallin, Inge Zeldenrust

    Learn more about the graduates
     

  • Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) 2024 in Review

    By Maggie Gehman

    MPA student Maggie Gehman attended the 2024 IPAC Annual Conference “Trust, Change, and Public Administration” on October 2-4, 2024.  As a provincial public servant and a student of public administration, Maggie shares that the two-day conference could not have been more rewarding. 

    Read Maggie's full review

     

     

  • Woman standing in front of a wooden wall, with her hands in her pockets.

Our faculty

Dr. Malcolm Bird
University of Winnipeg

I am fascinated by how Canadians choose to govern themselves, and thoroughly enjoy working with future civil servants in the MPA program.  In my courses, I hope to transmit my enthusiasm for public policy and administration by providing a basic framework for how Canada’s governing institutions operate as well as working with students to sharpen their written and oral communication skills. My research looks at the evolution of Canadian state-owned enterprises, and how they manage numerous, divergent and oftentimes complex demands from many sources, especially from their single shareholders. I am also the MPA cooperative coordinator where I connect MPA students to fabulous employment opportunities in the Manitoba civil service and other public sector organizations. 

Dr. Linda DeRiviere
University of Winnipeg

Linda DeRiviere served as Chair of the Political Science Department at the University of Winnipeg from 2016-19 and MPA Chair in the joint University of Winnipeg/University of Manitoba MPA program from 2020-22. She has expertise and teaching experience in quantitative research methods, program evaluation, and public finance. She has published policy and evaluation studies on a wide range of topics in a research program that is interdisciplinary, participatory, and community based. More recently, she is a Co-investigator on a 3-year SSHRC Insight Grant for a project titled “Staying Motivated: A Life Course Analysis of the Career Paths of Canadian Public Servants.” 

Dr. Karine Levasseur
University of Manitoba

Prior to arriving at UM, Dr. Levasseur was a policy manager for the Government of Manitoba. Her research challenges the discipline of public administration in Canada to diversify itself from this traditional emphasis on bureaucrats and elected officials given the international shift towards more collaborative and horizontal forms of governing. Sometimes referred to as collaborative governance by some or co-production by others, these new forms of governing are more porous and open to non-state actors such as charities, non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, and so forth. The result is a system of governance whereby non-state actors have a meaningful role to play in governing and thus government must share its power with them and open-up the public policy decision-making process. Dr. Levasseur has been published in leading international books/journals including International Review of Administrative Sciences, Voluntary Sector Review, Social Policy & Administration, and Oxford University Handbook of Public Administration for Social Policy. 

Dr. Andrea Rounce
University of Manitoba

Dr. Rounce teaches and researches on public administration, public policy, research methods and public opinion. Her work has appeared in various journals including Canadian Public Administration, Journal of Aging and Social Change, International Review of Administrative Sciences and others. She is the co-editor of several books on Manitoba elections, including Disengaged? Fixed Date, Democracy, and Understanding the 2011 Manitoba Election with Dr. Jared J. Wesley. Andrea is committed to bridging theory and practice and to sharing academic research with wider audiences. She recently co-edited the open access volume COVID-19 in Manitoba: Public Policy Responses to the First Wave with Dr. Karine Levasseur.

Sessionals

Aynslie Hinds

Aynslie supports community organizations with their research and evaluation needs. She has been doing this for 10+ years by supervising students working on projects, volunteering, and being hired on contract through her own research and evaluation service business. At the University of Winnipeg, Aynslie has taught statistics and quantitative research methods in the Psychology and Mathematics and Statistics Departments, and in the Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) program. She currently coordinates the Certificate in Applied Psychology (CiAP) program. Broadly, Aynslie’s academic research interests focus on the social determinants of health, particularly housing and homelessness. 

Ardith McGeown Plant

Dr. McGeown Plant has a Master of Public Administration degree and has earned a Doctor of Education, with an area of study in Educational Research from the University of Calgary. Dr. McGeown Plant has extensive work experience in public education and post-secondary education, with a focus on research and policy analysis, including leadership and management roles in the public sector and not-for-profit organizations. Dr. McGeown Plant worked as a Senior Research Associate, Education and Skills with The Conference Board of Canada, a Consultant for the Commission on K-12 Education in Manitoba, and an External Researcher for the School Matters Project in the Manitoba Department of Education. She has taught courses in public administration, public policy, government and business relations in Canada, research design, and educational administration in Canada. She is currently the Executive Director, Centre for Social Science Research and Policy at the University of Manitoba.

Our students

A headshot of Darian Ahronson

Darian Ahronson

Darian graduated in June 2023 from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in psychology. Shortly after graduating, Darian began working as a Policy Analyst with the Government of Manitoba in the Department of Justice. Through his experiences, he has developed a strong passion for public service, especially as it pertains to justice and other social services policy. Darian is developing his knowledge and skills in the MPA program while continuing to work full time with Government of Manitoba.

A headshot of Hesham Aly

Hesham Aly

In 2017, Hesham Aly made the move from Egypt to Winnipeg with the goal of obtaining a degree in labour studies. After graduating, Hesham embarked on a journey as a Project Officer at the Government of Manitoba, which led to an interest in public administration.

Christian-Balagus-Warren-MPA

Christian Balagus

Christian Balagus has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies (Honours) and a Juris Doctor in law, both from UM. They also have extensive experience in Canadian politics, including as a delegate during the 2015 Seligner/Oswald Leadership dispute, and have worked with political grassroots and elected officials from different parties through the years. Their current research interest is Crown-Indigenous Relations, and they are proud to be an advocate for the queer community.

A headshot of Jennifer Block

Jennifer Block

Jennifer was born and raised in Winnipeg and earned a BA from the University of Winnipeg with a double major in Political Science and Indigenous Studies. Jen has dedicated much of her career to the non-profit sector where she supports young people in becoming more engaged with their communities, democracy, and politics. Jen sees her studies as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of the public service while remaining close to home. Jen is a recipient of a University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF).

Delaney Boehm

Delaney Boehm has a BA in political science with a minor in business administration from the University of Prince Edward Island. Delaney has experience working in public health in multiple roles such as patient care, community resources and financial expenditures. She is very excited to be a part of the MPA program and looks forward to gaining knowledge, skills and perspectives from her classmates.

A headshot of Paul Carruthers

Paul Carruthers

Working as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Indigenous Jurisdiction Transition Office, Paul has passionately worked to develop innovative policy solutions in the public sector. His previous education includes a Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science and a minor in philosophy from the University of Winnipeg. Bringing a combination of academic and strong work experience in the public service along with work in non-profits and Indigenous Self-Government, Paul seeks to utilize his time in the MPA program to enhance his skills and knowledge to further his abilities to serve the community around him.

Headshot of Aliana Dayrikt

Aliana Dayrit

Working in the frontlines as a Registered Social Worker, Aliana Dayrit was able to make a difference in the lives of individuals and witnessed firsthand how policies shape the services she provided. Bringing forth positive changes in a much greater scale has always been her end goal and the MPA program provides the opportunity to make that a reality. The part-time program option grants Aliana the flexibility to continue her professional career outside the program and still enjoy the classes without unnecessary pressure. Further, as an individual who identifies as a person of colour, the diversity in the program is very comforting.

Headshot of Andrew Dvorak wearing light grey tshirt.

Andrew Dvorak

Andrew Dvorak is excited to take part in the MPA program, having previously finished a BA Honours in religion. He thinks work in the public sector is both an important and exciting opportunity, and is looking forward to gaining the necessary skills and experience to improve not only his life, but the life of his cat.

Ijeoma-Frederick-MPA.

Ijeoma Frederick

In 2017, Ijeoma took a leap of faith to leave Nigeria for Winnipeg after being awarded the University of Winnipeg Graduate Studies Scholarship to study first for a Master of Arts in Economics at the University of Winnipeg, and then for the MPA. Ijeoma was awarded the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship. The MPA program both enlightened her about Canadian politics/public service and also provided her with an internship platform with which she gained the relevant experience needed to work fully in the public service as a policy analyst. She is currently working as a Policy Analyst with the provincial government and serving on a nonprofit board.

Headshot of Maggie Gehman wearing blue blouse with white flowers.

Maggie Gehman

Maggie Gehman obtained her BA in creative writing from UW in 2022. She has been a public servant for over five years, currently in Manitoba's Mental Health and Community Wellness Department. She's excited to be part of the MPA program and is looking forward to learning about and enhancing her work as a public servant.

Headshot of Alex Goodman wearing glasses and white sleeveless top.

Alex Goodman

Coming from a STEM background, Alexandra Goodman decided to pursue an MPA to expand her knowledge and political acumen. Through the program she has gained valuable career experience and personal development.

Albert Kandie

Albert Kandie is starting his second year of the MPA program in fall 2023. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Food Science from UM seven years ago and started working at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency immediately after graduation. With a background in Science, he thought the MPA program would be challenging but is glad to say that he is enjoying the program immensely and learning a lot in the process.
I cherish the support I am getting from the professors, administrative assistants, and the entire faculty. It is instrumental in making my studies not only manageable but also enjoyable and engaging. I am looking forward to learning more and using the skills and knowledge to advance my career in the public service.

A headshot of Kathleen Isaac

Kathleen Isaac

In 2021 Kathleen Isaac earned a BA in Indigenous Studies from the University of Manitoba. Since then, she has been working with Indigenous Services Canada as a Program Officer. Her experience and studies pushed her to apply for the MPA program to gain more skills to excel in her career in the public sector.

Konrad Krahn

Konrad Krahn holds an MA in History, Archival Studies from UM. Konrad has worked in the records and information management field for over 15 years, specializing in access to information and protection of privacy issues, records management and archives. Currently working as the City of Winnipeg Archivist and Records Manager, Konrad's interests include policy development, governance and human resources management.

A headshot of Marvin Marcial

Marvin Marcial

Marvin Marcial is a seasoned professional with nearly 15 years of experience spanning the non-profit, post-secondary education, and government sectors. Currently a Policy and Program Coordinator with the Manitoba government, Marvin specializes in immigration and newcomer settlement & integration. Marvin is passionate about data-driven storytelling and decision-making, daring leadership, and capacity-building in non-profits.

headshot of Priscilla Marfo wearing beige blazer.

Priscilla Marfo

Priscilla Marfo is in the second year of the MPA program. Born and raised in the vibrant landscapes of Ghana-West Africa, she is ambitious and driven by a fervent desire to effect positive change in her homeland. She has embarked on this academic journey to acquire the necessary expertise in public governance and policy implementation. With a co-op component woven into the program, she is poised to bridge theory and practice, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in real-world administrative settings. As she navigates the intersection of cultures and ideas, she is committed to fostering cross-cultural understanding and utilizing her education to drive sustainable development in Africa.

A headshot of Matthew McConnell

Matthew McConnell

Matthew McConnell is a first year MPA student. In June 2023, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in psychology at UM and is excited to return to university in his home province. He has a strong passion for public service, especially pertaining to social services and mental health. After completing the MPA, Matthew hopes to provide for his community by making desirable services more accessible and beneficial.

Alex McLean

Alex McLean currently works as a Senior Policy Analyst with the Government of Manitoba, in the department of Mental Health and Community Wellness. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Winnipeg and has professional interests in health policy and economics.

Headshot of Brea McMahon wearing beige flowered dress.

Brea McMahon

Brea McMahon graduated in 2023 from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours in sociology. Since 2019 she has been employed as a student in program support roles with the provincial government. Through the MPA program, she intends to grow and hone her knowledge and skills, putting them into practice through policy and program implementation.

A headshot of Faosiyat Olajide-Adedamola

Faosiyat Olajide-Adedamola

Faosiyat has a background in agriculture, rural development, and taxation, and more than a decade of experience at a federal agency in Nigeria. Inspired by her upbringing and public service experience, she finds fulfilment in making life more enriching for others. Faosiyat is passionate about research and believes in the transformative power of evidence-based policies. Her enthusiasm for joining the MPA program stems from her desire to further enhance her expertise in tackling various public challenges.

Katie Shantz

Katie Shantz is a part-time student in the MPA program. Katie works for Gender Equity Manitoba with the Gender-Based Violence Program as a Senior Policy Analyst. She is passionate about exploring the intersections of gender-based violence, colonialism and patriarchy through policy, particularly at a provincial level.

Headshot of Keeley Ternovetsky wearing brown blouse.

Keeley Ternovetsky

One aspect that really drew Keeley Ternovetsky to the MPA program as a first-year student was the co-op placement because it will provide the opportunity to apply knowledge and gain experience in a sector that she is specifically interested in. With a background in health sciences, the MPA program will help grow her understanding of the governmental side of healthcare and ultimately open more doors for a career in the healthcare field.

Justin Tsang

Justin Tsang graduated with a BA in political studies in 2018. He attributes his work in politics for sparking an interest in working for the civil service and his passion in advocacy and public policy. He works as Manager of Legislative Affairs and Research supporting a provincial political caucus. He enjoys the strategic aspect of politics and thinking critically about issues affecting our communities and legislation - what it should look like or how it can be improved.

Headshot of Ahrben Tumambing wearing glasses and in front of a background of flowers.

Ahrben Tumambing

Ahrben Tumambing is a full-time policy analyst pursuing the MPA on a part-time basis. Ahrben has close to a decade of work experience in government including work related to human resources, primary health care operations, corporate support and strategic planning. Ahrben seeks to advance his understanding of government and is interested in the topics of public service reform, the power and politics of interest groups and managing system change in an increasingly dynamic world.

Our recent alumni

2025

Maryam Abdullah

Maryam Abdullah earned an undergraduate bachelor's degree in public policy and administration from Kabul University. She is interested in international development, women's education and policies that are affecting their lives. Maryam has held leadership positions with an NGO and served in the provision of education for girls deprived of knowledge in remote areas and in identifying and developing talented girls among them, women who are compassionate, confident and capable of leading Afghanistan into the future. She speaks four languages and after coming to Canada worked as an interpreter for NGOs, a settlement facilitator for newcomers and as an assistant at the Manitoba Legislature.

Edel Barrera

Edel Barrera has a degree in Social Work from UM. Edel has experience working with the child welfare, justice, education and health systems as well as with the federal government’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada department and different community organizations.

Tabitha Clavecillas

Tabitha Clavecillas graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Political Studies from the University of Manitoba and continued her path to a deeper understanding of government by pursuing the Joint Masters of Public Administration at the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg. Tabitha currently works in the climate change field with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, advancing her passion for supporting marginalized communities. She is keenly interested in digital innovation within the public service and in supporting equity-seeking communities across Canada. Throughout her career, Tabitha has had the privilege of working with federal departments such as CIRNAC, Prairies Economic Development Canada, Economic and Social Development Canada, and the Privy Council Office.

Delaney Coelho

Delaney Coelho graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political studies from UM in 2011. Following graduation, she had the privilege of working and volunteering with several organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Elizabeth Fry Society, MacDonald Youth Services, Equal Voice Manitoba and Girl Guides. In 2016, she was a delegate at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women at UN Headquarters, and hosted a panel titled: "Working Women: Barriers, Experiences, and Solutions from Canada". She is the current Director of Intake and Mediation at the Manitoba Human Rights Commission. Due to those experiences and opportunities, Delaney developed an interest in service delivery and developing policy with the end user or recipient in mind. These experiences and beliefs led her to pursue a MPA in 2019 with the hope of adding more ‘tools to her toolkit.’ Her areas of interest lay in exploring how policy that is mindful of the end user can be used to address systemic inequity. She believes public policy is a powerful opportunity to tackle society’s most wicked problems through collaboration.

Roman Eliis

Roman Ellis, an ardent scholar of Arctic security and NORAD policy, holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Studies from UM, having contributed to "NORAD in Perpetuity and Beyond" (Andrea Charron and James Ferguson, 2023. McGill-Queens’ University Press). Roman envisions a future as a skilled policy analyst contributing to Canada’s NORAD and Arctic defense policies

Alina Hart

Alina Hart completed her BA in political science at the University of Winnipeg. From 2022-2023 she participated in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly Internship Program. She is a recipient of the 2023 SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship-Master’s (CGS M) Award.

Beth Ladyka

Beth Ladyka has completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science from the University of Winnipeg. Her areas of interest include the impacts of public policy on the military and the use of artificial intelligence in government policy analysis and implementation. She works with the Cadets Canada program in her free time and loves giving back to a program that shaped her into the person she has become today.

Kirandeep Pandher

Kirandeep Pandher holds a Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) degree with a major in political studies and a minor in business management. Presently, she works for the Province of Manitoba with the Department of Municipal Relations in the Community Development branch. She has a keen interest in intergovernmental and international relations.

Sandra Tombo

Sandra Tombo is an MPA international student originally from Zimbabwe. Sandra’s academic and professional background includes a bachelor of laws (LL.B) and a wide range of experience in human rights law, women, children and vulnerable people’s rights, advocacy and program implementation in a non-profit setting. Prior to joining the MPA program, Sandra has worked in various projects for Co-development Zimbabwe which addresses such issues as child marriages, period poverty and sexual abuse in young teenage girls growing up in rural Zimbabwe.

Inge Zeldenrust

Inge Zeldenrust (she/her) is a healthcare professional with a background in nursing and 15+ years of experience in program management, policy and service development in healthcare. Her leadership roles have spanned the child and adolescent and mental health realms in a variety of settings. She works with Shared Health and completed the MPA in a part time capacity.

2024

Courtney Amos

Courtney Amos holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from UM. During her undergraduate studies she became increasingly aware of how socioeconomic factors affect people's lives. This sparked her interest in public policy and pursuing a career where she could contribute to meaningful change. The MPA program provided her with the skills and expertise necessary to achieve this goal.

Laura Asher

Laura Asher began her MPA in 2018 as a part-time student and is in the final year of the program. Through her work as a fundraiser at UM, she sees the importance universities play in so many important aspects of people’s lives and feels fortunate to work and study on a campus that is so meaningful to her. Laura has appreciated learning about systemic racism and poverty and has found this to be beneficial in her work and her own personal growth. She credits the MPA program for exposing her to new ideas, improving her writing skills, challenging her and providing an opportunity to meet exceptional classmates, some of whom have become lifelong friends.

Leigh Anne Caron

Leigh Anne Caron graduated in June 2024. Leigh Anne works full time as a co-executive director in community health. Her areas of focus during her time in the MPA program has been on citizen engagement in public policy development and non-profit and government relations.

Carolina Chang

Before starting the MPA, Carolina Chang worked as a geologist (P.geo) in mines across Canada. She completed a B.Sc. at Dalhousie University in earth sciences and has always been interested in the social impact of resource development. While working in mining, she became interested in questions surrounding mineral claims, impact and benefit agreements, and their relationship with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The MPA has allowed Carolina to dive into some of these questions and develop the competencies to transition into the public sector.

Hermon Gidey

Hermon Gidey is currently working at the Office of the Ombudsman. While she enjoys learning political/public administration concepts, her favourite part of the program is applying what is learned and challenging each other's perspectives in class discussions.

Kasia Kieloch

Kasia Kieloch was a part-time student in the MPA program. She works as a lawyer and Provincial Medical Staff Contracts Specialist at Shared Health. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and Juris Doctor degree from UM. Her work experience spans across government, private practice as a lawyer and in the health care sector. She chose to pursue an MPA because she is interested in the ways in which public policy intersects with various sectors, organizations and levels of government. She applies what she has learned in the MPA program courses in her everyday work.

 

The profession of public administration

Public administration has a broad and evolving scope of practice, and includes policy analysis, financial management, program evaluation and legal and regulatory compliance and oversight, among other emerging domains.

At the national level, the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), works to build excellence in public administration in Canada. It brings together networks and shares best practices to solve problems and promote success in public service. IPAC has a Manitoba chapter. 

The Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA) is the scholarly and academic national body for the study of public administration. CAPPA organizes seminars, conferences and publications, including the journal Canadian Public Administration. 
 

Donations

A 50th anniversary scholarship fund has been established to annually support an outstanding incoming MPA student. Donors will receive a receipt for income tax purposes.

Donate to the MPA 50th anniversary award

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