Deadlines

International applicants are encouraged to apply early as the visa application process may take 3 months.

Application Checklist

Step 1: Click on the link above to open your application with McMaster University. Alternatively, please click here.

Step 2: Answer all application-related questions.

Step 3: Register for your online interview (Kira) and ensure that you complete the $60 payment. Note that the $60 is in addition to your $110 application fee. They are separate charges.

• The registration and payment link are embedded in your application questions.

Step 4: Gather, and upload all required documents.

• Your current resume or CV, including academic and professional experience
• Your clearly written Statement of Interest (This is a letter explaining your interest in the program, at a maximum of 2 pages).
• Recent IELTS or TOEFL scores (within the last 2 years) required for international students. Minimum IELTS score 6.5 overall (minimum requirement 5.5 in reading and writing and 6 in listening and speaking). Minimum TOEFL score is 88. Note that if your medium of instruction was English and this is documented on your transcripts, you do not need to submit an ELP test.
• Transcripts from all post secondary institutions you have attended.
• Please note that all documents must be uploaded before application submission. CV, SOI, IELTS/TOEFL and Transcripts are uploaded in the same section of the application.

Step 5: Add Academic Referee contact information.

• Contact information for 2 Academic References must be entered in online application. Referees will be contacted via our electronic referencing system
  • Academic references are to come from instructors most familiar with your academic work.
  • In cases where an applicant has been away from academic study for 5 or more years, we will consider one professional reference.
  • Please note that we do not accept reference letters uploaded by the applicant.

Step 6: Pay $110 application fee, and submit application.

• Only submit your applicationonce all the above documents have been uploaded, you have entered contact information for both academic references, and you have paid your Kira fee.
• *Applications will not be reviewed unless all items noted above are submitted at the time of application*.

Step 7: Complete your Kira interview.

• Applicants will be sent a link to complete their Kira interview within one week of application submission and Kira fee payment.
• Applicants will not receive a link unless they have fully submitted their application, and have submitted the $60 Kira fee payment.

Step 8: You will be contacted if there are any issues with your application. Please do not email about the status of your application. Applicants will be contacted once a decision regarding the application has been made.

• Please note that if you are accepted to one of our programs, you will be required to pay a non-refundable $500 deposit. This deposit is non-refundable if you withdraw your acceptance.

Important Notes:

• Applications will not be reviewed until all required documents are uploaded, the referees have responded, and the Kira online interview has been completed. All applications must be completed in full in advance of the application deadlines in order to be considered.
• Official transcripts are not required unless an applicant is granted an offer of admission. Documentation sent via post will not be considered for your application.
• Applications will not be considered until we receive copies of transcripts noting grades up to at least Term 7 of your undergraduate studies.

Tuition and Fees

Full-time Tuition & Fees (2021-2022)
30 credit units are required to complete this degree and tuition is paid per credit unit. Please view the per-unit fees here.

Expected Tuition & Fees (2022-2023)
30 credit units are required to complete this degree and tuition is paid per credit unit.

Domestic: $281.58 per credit unit  

International: $1397.55 per credit unit

Students enrolled in multiple academic years ( e.g. January admission) pay the fees corresponding for the academic year the term is within. The University reserves the right to correct typographical errors or to adjust the Tuition and Fees schedule at any time it deems necessary.

Other Fees:

• Application Fee: $110.00
• Online Interview Fee (Kira Talent): $60.00
• Non-refundable deposit upon acceptance: $500.00

IELTS/TOEFL: International students are required to present a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall (minimum requirements 5.5 in reading and writing and 6 in listening and speaking). Minimum TOEFL score is 88.

Admission Requirements

Prior degree: Students must hold an undergraduate degree in STEM or a 4-year non-STEM degree in a public policy-related field including, for example, political science, public policy, public administration or global studies with a B- average in last 10 technical courses (equivalent to a McMaster 7.0 GPA out of 12).

The Master of Engineering and Public Policy is aimed at highly motivated students seeking advanced training to guide, develop and interpret policy in fields including sustainability, technology, science and engineering. Application for admission to the program may be made through the W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology. The program accepts full-time and part-time students – see the Program Structure section for details.

Candidates may be enrolled on a full- or part-time basis. Full-time students will complete the degree in twelve consecutive months of study. Students are admitted for September. Part-time students will normally be expected to complete the program in 28 months.

McMaster students may receive advanced standing for up to two courses (note that a maximum of two 600-level courses can count towards a SEPT graduate program) with the approval of the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.

Full-time students are expected to complete the program in 16 months.  The actual duration of studies may be shorter (not less than 12 months) or longer (not more than 24 months), for students who work faster or slower.

A total of 8 courses and a policy research project (30 units) must be completed by candidates joining the program in September 2021. For candidates beginning in September 2020, the requirement remains 27 units (7 courses and policy research project).

• Four (4) core half-courses (or equivalent) provide the content and methodological skills that allow you to understand and analyze societal issues in order to contribute to public policy solutions.
• Three (3) focus elective half-courses (or equivalent) allow the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in a range of engineering, science and social science realms.
• One (1) cross-disciplinary elective graduate engineering half-course which should be selected from the approved cross-disciplinary elective list (see below).
• Two-term project course in which students prepare a substantive research paper exploring a problem at the interface of engineering, science and public policy.

For more details please refer to the Graduate Calendar.

Domestic students (Canadian citizens or permanent residents) may complete their MEPP degree on a part-time basis and establish their schedule according to how much time they can devote to studies. It is recommended that part-time students complete the program in 32 to 40 months.

Research Project – Inquiry/Thesis in Engineering and Public Policy

Early in the program, students select a research topic that intersects with engineering, science and public policy. As the student progresses through the program, they conduct inquiry-driven research on the topic to complete a formal research paper and publish their results for broad dissemination. Examples of previous research projects can be found under the “Projects to Inspire Change” tab. 

Candidates for the MEPP degree will follow a program consisting of the following unique courses:

Four half-courses required for the program:

• SEP 701 – Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis: Frameworks and Models (3 units)
• SEP 709 – Emerging Issues, Technology and Public Policy (3 units)
• SEP 773 – Leadership for Innovation (3 units) OR SEP 6EL3 – Leading Innovation (3 units)
• SEP 778 – Circular Economy – Engineering Perspectives and Application (3 units)

Required project course:

• SEP 704 – Public Policy Research Project, Part I (3 units)
• SEP 704 – Public Policy Research Project, Part II (3 units)

All full-time students in W Booth School programs are required to attend the following 0-unit components:

• SEP 771 / W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology Practitioner’s Forum, Part I (Seminar series)
• SEP 771 / W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology Practitioner’s Forum, Part II (Seminar series)

Three half-courses are required for electives. Recommended electives include but are not limited to:

• SEP 6I03 – Sustainable Manufacturing Processes (3 units)
• SEP 6X03 – Liveable Cities, the Built and Natural Environment (3 units)
• SEP 702 – Systems Engineering and Public Policy (3 units)
• SEP 705 – Green Engineering, Sustainability and Public Policy (3 units)
• SEP 706 – Energy and Public Policy (3 units)
• SEP 708 – Special Topics in Engineering and Public Policy (3 units)
• SEP 710 – International Governance and Environmental Sustainability (3 units)
• SEP 778 – Circular Economy – Engineering Perspectives and Application (3 units)
• POL SCI 784 – Quantitative Political and Policy Analysis (3 units)
• POL SCI 785 – Public Sector Management (3 units)
• POL SCI 790 – The Politics of Economic Policy in Market Economies (3 units)
• Other courses across campus with faculty approval

Cross-Disciplinary Elective Courses. Candidates are required to take one half course (3 units) which should be selected from the following approved cross-disciplinary elective list.

• SEP 770 – Total Sustainability Management (3 units)
• SEP 790 – Emerging Technologies for Engineering Enterprise Innovation (3 units)
• SEP 760 – Design Thinking (3 units)
• SEP 777 – Cyber-Physical Systems and Industry 4.0 (3 units)

W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology strives to offer a full complement of courses every academic year; some of the course listed here are currently being reviewed. Their offering is subject to the pending internal approval.

MEPP Handbook

The MEPP Handbook will help you get started in the program with information about:

• Important Terminology
• Inquiry Guidelines and Logistics
• The Government of Canada and Public Policy

The Master of Engineering & Public Policy is a different type of program in which students engage in projects that lead thought and action. Through evidence-based analysis, they enable technological advancements to improve social, economic and environmental outcomes.

Below is a sample of projects completed by the program’s alumni. You’ll find these projects are diverse and address policy challenges that affect people and communities located around the globe.

Thank you for your interest in McMaster University Faculty of Engineering. Please fill out the form below, and we will connect with you to answer all of your questions.