Admission Requirements | Future Students | Public Policy, Administration and Law (MPPAL) | Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS)

Preparing your application to graduate studies at York University and/or other interested universities requires research and planning. Some students start preparing their plans for graduate studies as early as two years before they submit their application. Consider the following information below to help guide you through a successful application process.

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MPPAL

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Fall Application:

Sep 30, 2026–Jan 15, 2027

Masters of Public Policy, Administration and Law (MPPAL)

To be considered for admission, candidates must have either:

Completed an Honours Bachelors degree (or its equivalent) from a recognized University with a minimum grade point average of B+ in the final two years and a minimum of five years work experience in a relevant public sector management, administrative, or supervisory position, or
Completed an Honours Bachelors degree (or its equivalent) from a recognized University with a minimum grade point average of A in the final two years. Under this category, students may have completed less than five years work experience in a relevant public sector management, administrative, or supervisory position.
Note: Applicants for our new full-time stream must also have acquired some work experience in the public sector already, otherwise they will not be considered for admission.
Note also: Applicants who do not meet the B+ GPA bar are strongly encouraged to explain and contextualize their performance in their statement of interest.

Graduate Diploma in Justice System Administration

Completion of the core course, PPAL 6140 3.00 Court Organization and Management (also cross-listed as GS/LAW 6719 3.00)
An internship (to be completed by all students without substantial work/work related experience in the justice system)
A Major Research Paper (MRP) or Topics in Public Policy course paper, related to justice system administration.

Note

All students except those master’s students registered with the Schulich School of Business or the Faculty of Environmental Studies, PPAL 6140/LAW 6719 is an additional requirement, over and above the regular degree requirements, and may not be counted toward the course requirements for the masters or Doctoral degrees.

For graduate diploma students registered in Schulich or ES programs: Graduate diploma students must write a research paper beyond the normal degree requirements on a topic related to justice system administration approved by the Coordinator.

For any questions about the diploma, please contact us at mppal@yorku.ca.

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The Graduate Program in Public Policy, Administration and Law at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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