Engineering and Public Policy

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Deadlines

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

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Tuition & Fees

Full-time Tuition & Fees (2019-2020)
Canadian: $3,240.00 CAD for each term *
International: $11,000 CAD for each term *

Full-time Tuition & Fees (2020-2021)
Canadian: $3,240.00 CAD for each term *
International: $11,550 CAD for each term *

*The program requires 3 terms of full-time study.

Part-time Tuition & Fees (2019-2020)
Canadian: $1,800.00 CAD for each term
International: $5,379.14 CAD for each term

Part-time Tuition & Fees (2020-2021)
Canadian: $1,800.00 CAD for each term
International: $5,648.09 CAD for each term

Students enrolled in multiple academic years ( e.g. January admission) pay the fees corresponding for the academic year the term is within.

Other Fees:

• Application Fee: $110.00
• Online Interview Fee (Kira Talent): $40.00
• Non-refundable deposit upon acceptance: $500.00

Admission Requirements

Prior degree: STEM Degree, B average in last two years of study (20 technical courses), equivalent to a McMaster 8.0 GPA out of 12

The Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering is aimed at highly motivated students seeking advanced training in the broad area of Manufacturing. 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.

In addition to the general requirements for entry into a graduate program in Engineering, students must hold an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with at least a B average (equivalent to a McMaster 8.0/12 GPA) in the penultimate and final years.

As part of the application process, you are required to provide the following:

1. An up-to-date resume or CV, including professional work experience (this includes prior co-op experience)
2. Complete Contact information for 2 Academic References (to be included in the on-line application)
   Only institutional emails will be accepted as credible references.
3. Strong letters of recommendation
4. Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended along with grading scale
5. A clearly written Statement of Interest (A letter answering why you want to complete this program)
6. Online video interview using the Kira Talent software platform
7. 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

* No additional documents should be uploaded *

**Please note that applications cannot be reviewed until all documents have been uploaded, the referees have responded and online interview has been completed. All applications must be completed before the international or domestic deadline to be considered.**

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.

Prospective applicants who did not attain the required standing in their undergraduate degree, but who have at least four (4) years of relevant work experience, should discuss their situation with the Program Lead. If the experience is deemed sufficient, the Program Lead may then recommend an interview. Evidence of ability to do graduate work will still be required. (See Sections 2.1.1 Admission Requirements for Master’s Degree and 2.1.5 Admission of Students with Related Work Experience or Course Work beyond the Bachelor’s Degree in the Graduate Calendar.)

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.

Projects To Inspire Change

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.

Program Structure

The Master of Engineering & Public Policy requires completion of a minimum of 7 courses over three terms, and up to 9 courses over the same period. The curriculum consists of three main components:

• Four (4) core half courses 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 allow the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in a range of engineering, science and social science realms
• Up to two (2) optional graduate engineering half courses from any department within the Faculty of Engineering.  You can also enroll in courses from other departments and Faculties with the approval of a faculty member
• A substantive research paper exploring a problem at the interface of engineering, science and public policy

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
• SEP 702 / Systems Engineering and Public Policy
• SEP 709 / Emerging Issues, Technology and Public Policy
• SEP 773 / Leadership for Innovation

Additional requirements:

• SEP 771 / W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology Practitioner's Forum
• SEP 772 / Innovation Studio

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

• SEP 6I03 / Sustainable Manufacturing Processes
• SEP 6X03 / The Regeneration Imperative: Liveable Cities Revitalization of Built and Natural Assets
• SEP 705 / Green Engineering, Sustainability and Public Policy
• SEP 706 / Energy and Public Policy
• SEP 707 / Communication Technology and Public Policy
• SEP 708 / Special Topics in Engineering and Public Policy
• SEP 710 / International Governance and Environmental Sustainability
• POL SCI 784 / Quantitative Political and Policy Analysis
• POL SCI 785 / Public Sector Management
• POL SCI 786 / Organizational Theory and the Public Sector
• POL SCI 790 / The Politics of Economic Policy in Market Economies
• POL SCI 792 / Public Choice
• Other courses across campus with faculty approval

Students may take up to two additional graduate engineering half courses, selected from any department within the Faculty of Engineering. Students can also enroll in other courses in other departments and Faculties with the approval of a faculty member.

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

Co-op and Experiential Learning

Co-op is an optional component of the Master of Engineering & Public Policy program. McMaster established its graduate student co-op program in 2017, seeing it grow rapidly. Employers are quickly embracing it as a mechanism for recruiting talent and expertise.

There are several steps you must complete before you begin applying to co-op positions. Firstly, ensure you enrol in the Graduate Co-op Prep Course ENG 701 in September. You will also need approval from your program chairperson before accepting a co-op placement. Speak with Co-op and Career Services if you have any questions.

If you intend to find a co-op placement remember that it is competitive, much like any job search. Start early and put in consistent effort throughout the school year to make connections and grow your network.

Here are some tips for finding your co-op position:

• Attend as many career events throughout the school year – and try to speak with the employers who attend. Events are posted in OSCAR plus and require you to register as an attendee.
• Search OSCAR plus for posted co-op opportunities. Hundreds of openings are offered by employers in a year and some of them might be right for you. Apply to any that look like a good fit – make sure you keep your resume current so you can apply as they’re posted.
• Find opportunities to network with professionals in your field. Look for networking events, become active on LinkedIn, make meaningful connections and schedule information interviews. Whenever you meet someone new, ask them if they can recommend anyone else you should speak with.
• Reach out to your existing network. This could be family, friends from your time in undergraduate studies who are now employed, or really anyone you have an established relationship with who works for a company that operates in your field.

Employers

If you’re an employer interested in hiring graduate students for a co-op term connect with our co-op office to discuss listing your open opportunities.