McMaster University is proud to announce the launch of a new Housing Policy stream within its esteemed Master of Public Policy (MPP) in Social Sciences program. This new specialization, now accepting applicants for a May 2025 start, allows graduate students to focus their policy studies on the complexities of contemporary housing policy in a Canadian context. The first cohort from this focus area will graduate in June 2026.

Building on the success of the MPP Digital Society stream, the Housing Policy stream offers a unique curriculum with four distinct required courses. Students will engage in two new seminar courses: PUBPOL 713: Fundamentals of Housing Policy and PUBPOL 714: Cross-Sectoral Perspectives on Housing Policy. These seminars are delivered through McMaster’s pioneering co-teaching model, which pairs an anchor academic with a policy practitioner (the Professor of Practice), providing a rich blend of theoretical and practical insights.

In addition to the seminars, students will participate in two new skills labs during the Fall and Winter terms: PUBPOL 757: Stakeholder Management and PUBPOL 760: Informatics for Public Policy. These labs are designed to equip students with the practical skills needed to navigate and influence the housing policy landscape effectively.

In the initial semester, all students in both the MPP Digital Society and Housing Policy streams will take a common curriculum of three seminars and three skills labs. This integrated approach fosters a collaborative learning environment, allowing students to benefit from diverse perspectives. In the Fall and Winter terms, students will continue with a mostly common curriculum, with each stream having one unique seminar and one unique skills lab tailored to their specialization.

The Housing Policy stream builds on McMaster University’s core expertise in public policy, supported by the foundational curriculum of the MPP program. The program is animated by the work of Dr. Jim Dunn, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Social Sciences, ensuring that students receive cutting-edge education and mentorship. Like the MPP in Digital Society, there is an optional co-op semester that can be completed in the Spring-Summer term, following the successful completion of the core curriculum.

Prospective students interested in shaping the future of housing policy and making a significant impact in the field are encouraged to apply. For more information and to submit an application, visit the Master of Public Policy in Housing policy page.