Looking Ahead

We are excited to welcome all new and returning students to the Munk School’s professional degree programs this fall. There is no better time than the present to be studying global affairs and public policy. Whether it's COVID-19, the economic crisis, the growing rivalry between the United States and China, or the struggle for human rights that exists around the world, these are times that demand change. They demand creative thinking.

Our goal at the Munk School is to give our students the opportunity and the tools they need to think differently, to be creative, and to be innovative, because that's what our times require. The Master of Global Affairs and the Master of Public Policy degrees enable students to acquire the insights and the day-to-day skills they need to be able to effect real change in the world.

A Dual Campus Model

This September, the Munk School will employ a dual campus model, enabling all students in our professional master’s programs to participate fully in their courses, regardless of where they are based.

For students coming to the physical campus at U of T's St. George downtown location, we are implementing measures to ensure the safety of our students, including smaller class sizes, physical distancing and other precautions. Classes that take place on campus will also be recorded and offered online.

The digital campus is where students can come together online with faculty and each other. It’s a place where students can access engaging, well-designed content and participate in debates with faculty and other students. It will include classes offered exclusively online, as well as courses that have been recorded on site at U of T.

Our approach is ambitious and creative, and we are working with experts from around the globe and our in-house instructional design team to build an exciting student experience — where students have easy access to faculty, to their colleagues, and to the program staff working to support them.

In Fall 2020, we are piloting new digital courses on topics ranging from decision-making and leadership to COVID-19. Featuring leading experts from academia, government, and the private sector, these courses offer a window into the thinking behind major policy decisions and give students the opportunity to grapple with the leading challenges of our time.

As of the end of July, we expect that all first year MGA and MPP courses will be digital, and the vast majority of second year courses will be delivered digitally as well. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your program administrators for the latest schedule and course information.

Staying Connected

Outside of the classroom, our faculty are finding ways to ensure that students can have direct access to their professors from anywhere. Our program staff are providing personalized support, including helping students navigate program offerings, find internships, access tailored career support and professional development, and connect with prospective employers.

In addition to faculty and staff supports, your Munk School student associations are ready to welcome incoming students into the school community. The student associations can help students stay connected and navigate the program. This summer, they will offer incoming students the chance to pair with second-year student mentors and learn more about the program.

While studying at the Munk School, students in the Master of Global Affairs (MGA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) programs can take part in a range of student leadership initiatives, case competitions and conferences. From publishing journals and hosting podcasts to serving as consultants on real-world problems, the student leadership initiatives offer students the chance to get involved, gain experience and apply their skills. To learn more about the initiatives available this year, please contact mga@utoronto.ca for the MGA program and mpp.admissions@utoronto.ca for the MPP program.

What Support Is The School Providing?

The Munk School is investing significantly in developing a dual campus -- a mix of digital and in-person courses. We are committed to ensuring that both the digital and in-person segments are of extremely high quality. This is designed to enhance learning as well as the student experience. In concrete terms, this means we have invested in:

• specialized training for our faculty in the optimal use of our digital platform and new technologies for enhancing course delivery;
• permanent, in-house instructional design expertise so that faculty can work one-on-one or in small groups with an expert to support their academic plans and configure their courses for digital and in-person delivery;
• producing compelling video with a focus on engaging and creative course content and assignments;
• outfitting our Munk School classrooms and teaching spaces with high quality audiovisual equipment for synchronous and asynchronous delivery;
• identifying multiple ways in which students can interact and collaborate with each other and with faculty seamlessly and creatively; 
• increasing the number of teaching assistants, technical and program staff to ensure students and faculty are well supported throughout the term;
• finding ways to increase small group and one-on-one access for students to faculty, researchers, subject matter experts and new professional networks; 
• increasing staff support provided to graduating students for job searches and career development and professional development workshops that will help students be successful in the changing work environment.

Please consult the University of Toronto's UTogether resources for more information and answers to frequently asked questions about Fall 2020 at the University of Toronto.

Get In Touch

To learn more about our professional programs and our dual campus approach, please contact mga@utoronto.ca for the Master of Global Affairs program and mpp.admissions@utoronto.ca for the Master of Public Policy program.