Frequently Asked Questions

A digital society is defined by the degree to which digital technologies pervade social relations within a collective. In a digital society, human interaction is frequently mediated, and thus shaped by, digital technologies. The distinctions between online and offline spaces become increasingly ambiguous.

Digital technologies are implicated to varying degrees in almost every area of contemporary public policymaking. Policymakers need to better understand technology in order to develop effective policy responses. This does not mean that policymakers need to be technical experts, but they do require a general understanding of how digital technologies operate so as to “speak tech to power” (World Economic Forum, 2019).

The societal transformations that are being ushered in by phenomena such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, bioinformatics, 3D printing, and IoT have wide-ranging implications that demand an informed policy response. Said response must draw both on sufficient knowledge as to how these technologies operate, and on critical analysis of their societal implications extending beyond business cases or technical specifications.

As Canada’s first specialized MPP degree program, McMaster’s MPP in Digital Society is designed to meet the moment as the world looks ahead to new technological opportunities and challenges on the horizon. Regulatory lag has come to characterize the relationship between public policy and technology. This program is intended to produce world class graduates who can close the gap by leveraging the knowledge and skills they acquire through their specialized training.

The MPP in Digital Society is intended to prepare graduates for career tracks at the intersection of technology and public policy. The training that students receive in the program positions them competitively for public service opportunities in technology policy, data analysis, digital transformation, digital government, and digital service delivery. However, a grounding in digital technology and public policy is an asset for a much broader range of public sector employment opportunities.

The demand for public policy experts with a specialization in digital technology is by no means exclusive to the public sector. Many tech companies are incorporating a policy function into their organizations. Recognizing that the fast pace of technological advancement and the need to both anticipate and influence regulatory trends, the technology sector is actively and increasingly engaged in regulatory entrepreneurship, that is, “pursuing a line of business in which changing the law is a significant part of the business plan” (Pollman and Barry, 2017).

Other career opportunities may include advocacy or research roles in the non-profit sector.

The MPP in Housing Policy prepares you to tackle contemporary housing issues within a Canadian context. By engaging with topics such as affordable housing, urban development, and housing policy analysis, you will gain the expertise needed to influence and implement effective housing policies. The program’s unique co-teaching model, which pairs academic experts with policy practitioners, ensures you receive a well-rounded education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills. This prepares you for impactful roles in government, non-profits, and private sector organizations focused on housing and urban development.

The programs are designed to align with optimal hiring windows across the public and private sectors. Moreover, beginning in May permits graduates to complete the degree requirements within a one-year timeframe as opposed to two years.

Yes. Students who complete their undergraduate courses at the end of April can formally enroll in the MPP programs in May, even if their convocation or official graduation does not take place until June.

Our programs are only offered full time for the current academic year.

Our programs are fully remote, with the option for students to work and learn on-campus. Some classes have hybrid options.

Unofficial transcripts may be submitted for application review. Official transcripts are required only if an applicant accepts an offer of admission.

Skills labs are a unique offering of McMaster’s MPP programs. A complement to traditional, seminar-style graduate courses, skills labs are intended to develop leadership capabilities and core digital competencies such as the fundamentals of programming and data analysis. The key competencies acquired can be immediately applied in the classroom and translate well to a professional setting.

No prior experience in coding or statistics is required to participate in skills labs. They are tailored for novice learners.

Students have the option of entering the MPP co-op program stream that includes a four-month co-op opportunity. Co-op placements will take place from May to August following the successful completion of all other program requirements. Students who successfully complete their co-op placement will participate in the fall convocation.

Eligibility is based on performance in the program and availability of placement options. The program will actively seek co-op opportunities for our students and students will also be encouraged and expected to apply for external opportunities. Placements will be competitive; admission to the co-op stream does not guarantee placement although we will assist students to the best of our ability in finding positions. Tuition for the co-op term is $500.

The Master of Public Policy program is eligible for loans under the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

In addition to graduate scholarships, MPP students are encouraged to use McMaster’s platform “AwardSpring” which does a good job matching students with funding opportunities. Please note Award Spring is only accessible to current students, and that incoming students may not be able to access it until August.

There are general bursaries and some donor bursaries that a student could be eligible for. These bursaries normally get paid out in January or February and by applying to something called the “general bursary,” a student would automatically be considered for other donor bursaries. We also refer students to the Wilson Leadership Scholar Award.

Courses are held virtually but synchronously; live attendance is required. We schedule courses during daytime/business hours Tuesday to Friday, leaving Mondays for special events and class/assignment preparation. Generally, there are 13.5 hours of course instruction per week, per term.

We frequently advise students that it is not possible to maintain full time hours and participate fully in the program. Just as it would not be physically possible to be in a classroom and at a place of work at the same time, it is not possible to do so in a digital context. We have had students that work in a flexible, part time capacity that have been able to invest in their studies and maintain professional commitments. These arrangements tend to be in place before the student starts class.

While some complementary portions of lectures may be recorded, entire classes are not. Seminars are active engagements of inquiry and do not lend themselves to recording. In some cases, a transcript of a class may be automatically generated to support students with accommodations. Students are encouraged to make their own notes from and for lecture.

Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred stream (Digital Society or Housing Policy) at the time of application. Applicants who wish to be considered for both streams must submit two separate applications, each with a distinct personal statement.

Once enrolled, all MPP students follow a common curriculum during the Spring-Summer term. Specialization begins in the Fall term, when coursework diverges to support the two focus areas.

A full list of courses for each stream is available here.

No, only students who are officially enrolled in the Master of Public Policy program are eligible to take courses offered by the program.

No. A visa or Canadian study permit is not required to participate in the MPP program. Because the program is delivered entirely online, students are not required to be in Canada, and study permits are not issued for fully remote programs.

No. International applicants do not require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to participate in the MPP program. Because the program is delivered entirely online, participants do not need a Canadian study permit or visa, and therefore a PAL is not required.

No. International students in the MPP program are not eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). PGWP eligibility requires completion of an in-Canada program with an approved study permit, and because the MPP program is delivered entirely online, it does not meet these requirements. Further questions on immigration requirements at McMaster University can be directed to immigation@mcmaster.ca.

A step-by-step application guide is available here. When searching for our programs, please filter by May intake and the Faculty of Social Sciences, and be sure to select the corresponding academic year (i.e., for the May 2026 intake, the academic year is 2025–26).