At Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, MA/MS in Public Administration is offered as a master's degree in Public Administration programme. The programme runs for 2 years. Tuition for international students is CAD 601 per credit (CAD 332 per credit for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Master's Degree
Field:Public Administration
Duration: 2 years
Local tuition: CAD 332 / credit
International tuition: CAD 601 / credit
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The Master of Public Administration is a graduate program at Dalhousie University designed for individuals pursuing careers in public service. Delivered in person, primarily on the Studley campus in Halifax, the program can be completed full-time in two years or part-time over a longer period. Coursework combines required courses covering organizational design, public policy, managerial economics, human resources, and ethics with a set of graduate-level electives, alongside applied research components that involve collaboration with external stakeholders. An optional paid internship is available to students during the summer after their first year. The program is intended for highly motivated individuals seeking roles in government, nonprofit organizations, or policy-focused agencies at the municipal, provincial, or federal level. It suits students who want to combine management training with a deeper understanding of how public institutions and policy processes operate, integrating diverse perspectives on politics and administration. Teaching assistant and marker positions are also available to students during the program.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Applicants need a four-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) on a 4.3 scale in the last two years (60 credit hours) of study, plus a minimum of two academic references (one or two professional references may substitute depending on time since graduation) and a completed Kira Talent Platform assessment. Non-native English speakers need an IELTS score of at least 7, or a TOEFL iBT score of at least 92 (tests before January 21, 2026) or 4.5 (on/after that date). The international application deadline is January 31, 2026; the domestic deadline is August 1, 2027; the program starts in September 2026.
Application Details
Start Date:September 2026
Application Deadline:Dalhousie's live Dates and Deadlines page still shows the September 2026 entry cycle as of mid-September 2026, not the 2027 cycle. For that cycle, Bachelor of Science (Nursing), Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science (Medical Sciences) and Bachelor of Social Work close February 15, 2026; the Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies (Architecture) closes March 1, 2026; and the Health Sciences post-diploma option closes June 15, 2026. All other undergraduate programmes are considered on a rolling, space-available basis for both domestic and international applicants, with no separate international closing date published; May 15, 2026 is only the deposit and English-proficiency deadline, not an application deadline. Dalhousie has not yet published September 2027 entry dates. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
