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The Master of Applied Politics (MAP) is a hands-on graduate program grounded in the discipline of political science.
You'll learn real-world skills and gain practical experience in placements with community organizations, local elected officials and government agencies.
One-year program.
Placements with community partners.
Experiential learning.
The Master of Applied Politics (MAP) attracts both recent graduates who want an edge as they launch their careers in the public or private sectors and mature students already in the job market who want to take their careers to the next level.
Students learn real-world skills — such as policy, electoral and media analysis, survey instrument design, and problem solving in domestic and international contexts — and gain practical experience in placements with community organizations, local politicians and government agencies.
Our diverse faculty offer research expertise in:
Many of our faculty are associated with research centres, including the Laurier Institute for the Study of Public Opinion and Policy and the world-renowned Balsillie School of International Affairs and Centre for International Governance Innovation.
Our one-year program offers a variety of options to fulfil program requirements. You may choose a coursework option, consisting of eight half-credit courses, or you may choose to undertake a major research project in addition to six half-credit courses.
There are four options to complete the major research project: a policy analysis project; a public opinion project; a master’s research paper; or a journal article.
The coursework option provides students a variety of courses in fulfilment of their degree requirements.
Students wishing to complete coursework only option must take:
The Policy Analysis is a 50-page project that provides students with the opportunity to carry out a professional policy analysis on an existing policy, working under the supervision of two faculty members (an advisor and second reader).
Students are required to submit a seven- to 10-page proposal that identifies the policy issue or problem to be examined, outlines a short summary of background information consisting of a few key facts that are important for understanding the context of the policy problem to be studied and provides a brief discussion of the evaluative framework to be applied.
Students are expected to defend their research proposal before a committee (graduate officer, one member of the graduate affairs committee, and the proposed advisor). Upon successful defence of the proposal, students will be eligible to register in PO695 to complete the Policy Analysis Option and will be expected to orally defend their final piece of work upon its completion by the end of August.
Students wishing to complete the policy analysis project must take:
The Public Opinion Project is a 25- to 30-page paper (not including the required survey instruments) that provides students with an opportunity to undertake the design of a major public opinion project involving the administration of a survey working under the supervision of two faculty members (an advisor and second reader).
Students are required to submit a seven- to 10-page proposal that includes a brief discussion of the research question, an explanation of the project design and details of the survey methodology to be employed. Students are expected to defend their research proposal before a committee (graduate officer, one member of the graduate affairs committee, and the proposed advisor).
Upon successful defence of the proposal, students will be eligible to register in PO695 to complete the Policy Analysis Option and will be expected to orally defend their final piece of work upon its completion by the end of August.
Students wishing to complete the journal article project must take:
The Research Paper is approximately 50 pages in length, and provides students with an opportunity to carry out empirical research on a topic of their choice, working under the supervision of two faculty members (an advisor and second reader).
Students are required to submit a seven- to 10-page proposal that includes a brief discussion of the research question, succinctly articulates a central hypothesis, and situates the research question within an area of scholarly literature and area of debate. Students are expected to defend their research proposal before a committee (graduate officer, one member of the graduate affairs committee, and the proposed advisor) in December.
Upon successful defence of the proposal, students will be eligible to register in PO695 to complete the Research Paper Option and will be expected to orally defend their final piece of work upon its completion in late August.
Students wishing to complete the journal article project must take:
The Journal Article Option is reserved for students with an A- and above standing (unless otherwise approved) and provides students with the opportunity to write a 30- to 35-page document in journal-article format, working under the supervision of two faculty members (an advisor and second reader).
Students are required to submit a seven- to 10-page proposal that includes a brief discussion of the research question, succinctly articulates a central hypothesis and situates the research question within an area of scholarly literature and area of debate. Students are expected to defend their research proposal before a committee (graduate officer, one member of the graduate affairs committee, and the proposed advisor).
Upon successful defence of the proposal, students will be eligible to register in PO695 to complete the Journal Article Option. Students will receive feedback through a simulated peer-review process of their work (normally over the summer term), with written feedback provided and a discussion of the feedback with the committee by the end of August. Students will be encouraged to submit their completed article to an academic journal.
Students wishing to complete the journal article project must take:
Step from the classroom into the work world. This course builds skills through real world, hands-on opportunities. It combines class time with a placement in a community organization, local politician’s office, or government agency that is engaged in research.
During the placement, you are part of a research team and/or asked to complete a number of research tasks for the organization, while under the guidance of a resident researcher.
Students have been placed with the City of Kitchener, the Region of Waterloo and Ploughshares. They have been involved in research related to housing policy, the environment, and international conflict prevention and arms control.
Students benefit from the experience of our department’s practitioner-in-residence, former MPP and Ontario Cabinet Minister, Dr. John Milloy. Dr. Milloy provides a series of “Practical Politics Workshops” that zero in on skills development.
For example, you'll learn:
These workshops are packaged into a “Certificate in Practical Politics” for your experience records.
Dr. Milloy also holds mentoring sessions on networking, getting a job in government, and boosting your professional skills. He regularly supervises MAP students who are pursuing the Policy Analysis Project or the Major Research Project.
Students in the MAP program are given the opportunity to work as Teaching Assistants (TAs). Being a TA involves grading work, leading small-group discussions, clarifying concepts for students, and acting as a role model and mentor. The position is challenging, enriching, and provides the opportunity to build a whole slate of skills for future employment in business, industry, government, and the non-profit sector.
For example, TAs problem-solve, contribute to course design in collaboration with professors, and build emotional intelligence through interactions with students and faculty. MAP students, therefore, develop skills in:
All courses incorporate applied elements through experimentation, simulation and interactive projects. You'll work closely with award-winning professors in a supportive environment while also taking advantage of the program’s connections to government, schools, not-for-profits and think-tanks, including the nearby Balsillie School of International Affairs, the Centre for International Governance Innovation and the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.
Some courses have community placements – see course descriptions on our Graduate Course Offerings page.
Note: With the approval of the graduate officer and the dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, students may choose some electives from other master's programs at Laurier, such as Laurier’s Master of International Public Policy program.
"The experience that I gained from the MAP and the workplace practicum option was instrumental in allowing me to pursue and obtain my dream job immediately following graduation."
Noah Ricciardi, class of 2020/21, senior policy analyst at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
Take the first step in your graduate education and apply to one of our graduate programs. Follow our three-step admission process — we’ll walk you through how to apply and prepare for your first day as a graduate student.
After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System (LORIS).
Please note, the application process and the uploading of supplemental documentation, which includes references, typically takes two weeks. To avoid disappointment, please apply early.
An application for admission to our Master of Applied Politics program must include:
Visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying.
Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. If applicable, results from accepted testing services must be uploaded to LORIS.
Questions? Contact Dejan Guzina, graduate coordinator, at dguzina@wlu.ca or 548.889.5079.
"PO691 was so instrumental in my job search. Without the alumni panel that was incorporated into our course I would not have had the invaluable opportunity to network with previous MAP students and learn more about pursuing federal government positions."
Megan Strazds-Esenbergs, class of 2021/22, hiring manager at Employment and Social Development Canada in the Innovation Lab
Regardless of the type of graduate degree program you intend to pursue, financial planning is important. At Laurier, we want to provide you with as much information as possible about a variety of scholarship and funding opportunities and equip you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.
Our alumni have found work in politics, public service, law, journalism, the non-profit sector and education, among other sectors. Here is a small sample:
Would you like to work for the federal, provincial or municipal government? Or, are you interested in working in the non-profit sector with organizations that do advocacy, humanitarian work, or policy research? Maybe you are leaning toward the private sector, a position in business-government relations? If so, the Master in Applied Politics (MAP) will prepare you.
The MAP is not your traditional political science degree because it offers a strong policy orientation as well as opportunities for faculty-supervised placements with government, non-government and advocacy organizations. It aims to help you think strategically as you prepare for the job market, all while emphasizing the goals and values of a strong liberal arts education.
On policy, students learn how governments generate ideas related to the environment, housing, national defence, health, and more. You will examine how governments roll out policies and how they use public opinion data to determine their course of action. You will also explore how researchers and groups outside government evaluate the government’s work, policies, and programs.
As for hands-on experience, the MAP offers “applied/practical” components, including a placement in the community (in government or the not-for profit sector). Our master's students worked with the City of Kitchener (participating in an environmental audit for the city), the Region of Waterloo (working on housing policy), and Ploughshares (working on international regulation of so-called killer robots and government policy on the violent conflict in Yemen).
The MAP also emphasizes career readiness. It offers a specialized course that focuses specifically on the tools needed to transition into the political science-related workforce: résumé writing; effective use of social media such as LinkedIn; interview skills; and more. The goal of this course is to insert the career development process directly into the MAP’s academic experience. This is also accomplished through our practitioner-in-residence, Dr. John Milloy, who brings real-life experience to the classroom through a series of skills-building workshops. Professor Milloy was a senior advisor to the prime minister, a member of provincial parliament, and a cabinet minister for many years.
Many apply to law school early, before finishing their undergraduate degree. But having a master's degree under your belt before you apply can be valuable for future employment once you finish law school. The degree can make you stand out when looking for articling positions as well. It could also serve to boost your GPA, if needed.
The Master in Applied Politics (MAP) is the perfect training ground for a legal career. Here are just a few reasons why:
If you envision a PhD as part of your career objectives, this program will provide the needed tools. The Master in Applied Politics (MAP) will ensure you are prepared to undertake research in your chosen area of interest.
The MAP offers two courses that are particularly geared to providing you with the tools and skills needed to pursue a PhD. For example, our course PO601: The Craft of Political Science introduces you to the theories and methods typically used by political scientists to research, test, and answer questions related to politics. The course explores the approaches political scientists might use to determine whether foreign aid works, or if we should trust the polls released before election day, or how to explore why some countries are more welcoming to refugees than others. Most importantly, it will help you to formulate the research question that will anchor your PhD application.
In addition, our course PO602: Applied Political Analysis focuses specifically on research methods. It helps you determine how to go about exploring various kinds of political science research questions. The course not only introduces you to the methods political scientists use, but it will also serve as an important resource as you apply for admission to a PhD program. Applications to doctoral studies include a research proposal. The “methodological” section of your research proposal, as well the methodological section of any PhD grant proposal you submit, are major and fundamental parts of the application process. This course will give you the tools to craft both.
The MAP also gives students heading for a PhD the opportunity to craft a research paper in journal article format. This is excellent preparation for graduate school, where publishing your work in scholarly journals is key. You work under the supervision of two faculty members (an advisor and second reader) in order to craft a research question, succinctly articulate a hypothesis and situate the research question within an area of scholarly literature and area of debate. You will receive feedback through a simulated peer-review process of your work, with written feedback provided, and through a discussion of the feedback with the committee your advisors. You will be encouraged to submit your article to an academic journal.
Are you already in government, the not-for-profit sector, or the private sector and want to enhance your CV or boost your chances for promotion or career flexibility? This degree is for you.
Credentials are important for career advancement. The Master in Applied Politics (MAP) can give you the credentials you need to climb higher on your chosen career ladder or move laterally into a related field. Because this program focuses on skills-building, it builds on what you have already gained through your work experience. It will also introduce you to key theoretical and academic debates in a way that is both accessible and relevant to real-world political contexts.
The MAP offers a strong focus on public policy and, more specifically, research as it relates to policy choices and programs. Research isn’t only a university-based activity. Governments, political advocacy organizations, social research councils, unions, social service delivery organizations, think tanks, policy institutes, all research independently or in connection with academics. These institutions evaluate the effectiveness of government programs; analyze and develop new policies; engage in public lobbying; and conduct surveys.
Our courses build the skills you will need to pursue these activities. For example, taking the course PO690: Research Practicum would round out your work experience and further build your skills. This course delivers the opportunity to participate in, and contribute to, a research project in a community setting. It is a chance to apply what you have learned in political science courses to real world experiences. For example, in 2018 our master's worked with the City of Kitchener (participating in an environmental audit for the city), the Region of Waterloo (working on housing policy), and Ploughshares (working on international regulation of so-called killer robots and government policy on the violent conflict in Yemen).
One of our main goals has been to insert the career development process directly into the MAP’s academic experience. The Research Practicum does this, but we also have a practitioner-in-residence, Dr. John Milloy, who brings real-life experience to the classroom through a series of skills-building workshops. Professor Milloy was a senior advisor to the prime minister, a member of provincial parliament, and a cabinet minister for many years.
Our faculty come from diverse backgrounds — experts on topics as broad as international human rights to environmental policy North America. You'll also learn from practitioners in the field, including former MPP and Ontario Cabinet Minister John Milloy, and guest experts, which have included former Prime Minister Paul Martin, federal trade negotiator Terry Collins-Williams and Ipsos CEO Darryl Bricker.
Christopher Anderson
Associate Professor
Jörg Broschek
Associate Professor
Canada Research Chair in Comparative Federalism and Multilevel Governance
Andrea M. Brown
Associate Professor
Chair, Department of Political Science and North American Studies Program
Alistair Edgar
Associate Professor
Associate Dean, Balsillie School of International Affairs
Patricia Goff
Associate Professor
Undergraduate Advisor
Dejan Guzina
Associate Professor
Graduate Officer
Derek Hall
Associate Professor
Loren King
Associate Professor
John Milloy
Practitioner-in-Residence
Assistant Professor of Public Ethics (Martin Luther University College)
Director, Centre for Public Ethics (Martin Luther University College)
Audra Mitchell
Professor, Canada Research Chair in Global Political Ecology
Andrea Perrella
Associate Professor
Laura Pin
Assistant Professor
Jason Roy
Associate Professor
Kim Rygiel
Associate Professor
Izabela Steflja
Assistant Professor
Debora VanNijnatten
Professor
Steven Brown
Associate Professor Emeritus
Rhoda Howard-Hassmann
Professor Emeritus
Thomas O. Hueglin
Professor Emeritus
Rianne Mahon
Professor Emeritus
John McMenemy
Professor Emeritus
Toivo Miljan
Professor Emeritus
Yasmine Shamsie
Professor Emeritus
Brian Tanguay
Professor Emeritus