School of Community and Public Affairs

Note

For the complete list of faculty members, please consult the Department website.

Objectives

The School of Community and Public Affairs (SCPA) offers a multidisciplinary program in public policy analysis. The School prepares its graduates to be knowledgeable participants in the policy‑making process in the private, public, and community sectors.

An innovative combination of academic and practical training exposes students to a wide range of public issues. In small classes encouraging participation, students develop specialized abilities to do research, to communicate, and to organize public consultations and debates. An internship program also enables students to gain the necessary experience of working in a public affairs job.

The School will be of interest to excellent students in a variety of disciplines, including economics, history, political science, sociology, urban studies, journalism, and communication studies. While some of our students enter the work force upon completion of their undergraduate degree, the majority continue their education. SCPA graduates tend to do graduate work either in their disciplines or, more often, in professionally oriented programs including public or business administration, international affairs, industrial relations, and law.

The historic Mackay Street building which the School occupies is an ideal site for small classes, public lectures, social events, and meetings. School facilities include a common room, a reading room and documentation centre, a seminar room, a computer room, and faculty and student offices.