Admission Requirements
Public Administration, PhD
Degree Offered:
PhD
Available Options for Program
Student status
| Full-Time: |
Yes |
| Part-Time: |
No |
Language
Minimum Requirements
B+ in a master's degree in Public Administration or related field
Average time to completion
12 terms
Area(s) of specialization
Public Management / Public Policy
Your complete admission package must include
| Application Fee: | CA$125.00 (non-refundable) |
| Recommendation letter(s): | 2
It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.Academic references preferred. |
| Transcript(s): | 1
You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation.
Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply.
Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa. |
Language requirements (if applicable)
Language proficiency test scores equivalencies: | French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Paper-based)
English Program: TOEFL 580 / IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based)
French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Internet-based)
English Program: TOEFL 92-93/New TOEFL 4.5 / IELTS 6.5 overall – Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)
IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based)
IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Internet-based) |
| Required document(s): |
- Additional Information Form: Research Project
- Resume required
- Please note that we have one selection process that is independent of the program chosen. Therefore, only one application is necessary to the Ph.D. program.
Applicants are advised that all admission documents are considered final once submitted. Revised, updated, or replacement documents will not be accepted after submission.
Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.
|
Language Requirements
Program-Specific English Requirements
Language Requirements
An active knowledge of French and English is essential. All students must successfully complete the course PAP 8510 given in French only and must be able to read texts in French and in English.
Students whose first language is other than French or English must provide proof in their application of their level of competence in these languages. The Public Administration Program reserves the right to conduct an interview and to require a test in either language. If a student’s research interests require comprehension of a language other than French or English, the Public Administration Program may require proof of such competency.
In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have a right to produce their work, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English.
Transfer from Master’s to PhD
Students enrolled in the MA program in public administration who have performed exceptionally well academically, who have demonstrated solid research skills and who are deemed sufficiently mature, may be allowed to transfer to the PhD program without being required to write a master’s thesis provided they meet the following conditions:
- Successful completion of at least four PAP graduate courses (12 units) with a minimum average of 85% (A) and with an A+ in at least one of the courses.
- Approval of the Graduate Studies Committee in public administration. The committee makes its decision on the basis of written reports on the student's maturity and research skills, from the student's thesis supervisor and from the professors in the courses taken in the master's program.
The request for transfer must be made during the third term of full-time enrollment (or equivalent), and the transfer must take place before the end of the fourth term. The Graduate Studies Committee will take into account the student's grades, thesis plan (or draft plan) and the reports from professors who taught the courses taken at the master's level. Following the transfer, all of the requirements of the doctoral program must be met. Students who transfer but do not complete the PhD program can however obtain the MA degree provided they meet all of its requirements.
General Graduate English Requirements
English proficiency test chart
| Test | Minimum Required Score |
|---|
| TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)* | 84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20 |
| TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)* | 4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking) |
| IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake | 6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6 |
| Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency) | 170 (overall); no partial score below 160 |
| PTE (Pearson Test of English) | 60 (overall); no partial score below 59 |
| CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test) | 70 (overall); no partial score below 60 |
* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.
The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.
French proficiency test chart
| Test | Minimum Required Score |
|---|
| DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) | C1/C2 |
| TCF (Test de connaissance du français) | B2 (overall); no partial score below B2 |
| TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français) | B2 (overall); no partial score below B2 |
Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.
DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.
