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Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
School of Community and Public Affairs

Why choose Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies?

When you study public policy, policy advocacy and community economic development, you’ll graduate ready to jump into the policy-making process in private, public and community sectors.

Our bilingual program is energized by our students, who bring a diverse range of backgrounds and a broad spectrum of community experience to each class. You study in small, congenial groups and are encouraged to pursue another Arts or Science program at the same time.

Combining academics with activism strengthens your experience. You’ll hone your sensitivity to social, economic and political factors influencing the public policy process and explore such values as:

  • Social and economic justice
  • Equity
  • Participatory citizenship and democracy
  • Cultural pluralism

You integrate the theoretical with the practical. You can do an internship, and we ground our work through close relationships with community organizations, public and private institutions, and unions.

Program Details

A Bachelor of Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.

Concentrations:

  • Major in Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies (42 credits)

Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements
Course requirements for admission

None. You must meet Concordia’s minimum admission requirements.

Additional requirements for admission
  • Interviews are conducted by phone, Zoom or in person. Please email Perry Calce, Coordinator Academic Programs and Curriculum Development at perry.calce@concordia.ca for an appointment.
  • English and French placement/proficiency test

Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.

We consider complete applications year round and we give priority to applicants who apply by official deadlines. Late applications will be considered if places are still available for the fall term only.

You've sent your application from: Fall term deadline Winter term deadline
 Inside Canada March 1
Certain programs have extended their deadlines. Please check program availability.
November 1
Not all programs are available for this term.
Please check program availability.
Outside Canada (International)  February 1    September 1

We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.
 

Students of the School of Community and Public Affairs are strongly encouraged to pursue a departmental major of their choice. The combination of a disciplinary BA and the SCPA program provides maximum career flexibility for our graduates.

Students are required to maintain an overall average of B-. In addition, all members of the School of Community and Public Affairs are expected to participate fully in the operation of the School.

The School's student body is drawn primarily from the Faculty of Arts and Science, although students from other Faculties can be admitted. Students are therefore exposed to various disciplines through interaction with their peers.

Please note: Students who take one or more of the required courses as part of their degree program must replace the credits with a course chosen in consultation with the SCPA advisor. Under special circumstances, a student may replace one of the elective courses with a course chosen in consultation with the SCPA advisor.

The Major in Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies consists of the following courses taken over 3 stages.

STAGE I (18 credits)
  • SCPA 201 - Introduction to Public Policy & the Public Interest (3 credits)
  • SCPA 203 - Community and Public Affairs in Quebec and Canada (3 credits)
  • SCPA 215 - Economics for Public Policy and Community Development (3 credits)
  • INTE 296 - Discover Statistics (3 credits)

Plus one of the following:

  • SCPA 204/POLI 204 - Introduction to Canadian Politics (3 credits)
  • SCPA 211/POLI 211 - Quebec Politics and Society (3 credits)

Plus one of the following:

  • SCPA 205/HIST 205 - History of Canada-Post Confederation (3 credits)
  • SCPA 210/HIST 210 - Quebec Since Confederation (3 credits)
STAGE II (12 credits)
  • SCPA 301 - Social Debates and Issues in Public Policy Analysis (6 credits)
  • SCPA 321 - Public Affairs Strategies (3 credits)
  • SCPA 352 - Community and Local Activism (3 credits)
STAGE III (12 credits)
  • SCPA 411 - Internship (3 credits)
  • SCPA 412 - Senior Research Seminar (3 credits)
  • SCPA 450 - Neo-Liberal Globalization and the Global Justice Movement (3 credits)
  • SCPA 498C - Public Affairs Communication (3 credits)

Consult the undergraduate calendar for a complete list of current courses and program requirements.

The policy process cannot be conveyed successfully without access to a “real world” laboratory. Hence, the BA Major in Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies emphasizes practical experience to help students develop the judgment necessary to complement traditional academic training. Drawing on an innovative combination of theory and practice, the SCPA helps its students to become familiar with the fundamental intellectual tools that will enable them not only to formulate their own educated critique of their sociopolitical environment, but also to participate actively and knowledgeably in the improvement of that environment.

The internship is an important training ground. Because it demands active and imaginative responses, the internship experience is an opportunity to test theory and formulate new approaches. In addition, this period of practice is a time when our students can familiarize members of the larger community with our program, its aims and its achievements.

Support for our internship is consistently positive. Government, business and community leaders have been helpful in advising and placing our students. The experience is one that adds a very important practical dimension to our program. Success in an internship enhances a student's potential, whatever career path is chosen.

Nicole Ouellette and Lucie Masson Bursary

This bursary was established in 2010 by Christopher Skeet, BA 2010, in loving memory of his mother Nicole Ouellette and his grandmother Lucie Masson.  The Nicole Ouellette and Lucie Masson Bursary is intended to recognise and reward deserving undergraduate students enrolled full-time in the School of Community and Public Affairs. Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 2.75.

Preferred candidates for this bursary will be orphaned students who have lost one or both parents (proof required).  In the event that there are no candidates in the SCPA who meet the stated criteria, then candidates with a Major or Honours in Political Science may also be considered, along with students in SCPA who are not orphaned.  This bursary is non-renewable however recipients may apply to be considered again in subsequent years.

There are many job opportunities for graduates with our combination of academic and practical experience in public affairs. Demand is strong, particularly if you are able to express yourself in both French and English. Depending upon your choice of discipline, you can expect to pursue such diverse occupations as:

  • Public affairs specialists in corporations
  • Civil servants at the local, provincial, national or international level
  • Public policy analysts and advisors to community and other organizations
  • Community group leaders and political organizers
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