Asia Pacific Policy Studies
Note: The Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Policy Studies (M.A.A.P.P.S.) program is not accepting applications for admissions until further notice. This also applies to the M.A.A.P.P.S. with Juris Doctor, M.A.A.P.P.S. with Master of Business Administration, and the M.A.A.P.P.S. with Master of Arts in Planning.
Degrees Offered: M.A.A.P.P.S., M.A.A.P.P.S./J.D., M.A.A.P.P.S./M.A.P.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts Asia Pacific Policy Studies program (M.A.A.P.P.S.), at the Institute of Asian Research (IAR), provides advanced training in practical research and analysis on policy issues relevant to the Asia and Pacific regions. The program prepares students for positions in government, non-profit organizations, or the private sector, as well as for doctoral programs. Students tailor coursework to fit specific interests within Asia Pacific policy, including a practicum, and complete the program 12, 18, or 24 months.
The M.A.A.P.P.S. program is organized into six thematic streams that structure and guide students in their program element selections. The six thematic streams are:
- Economic and Social Change
- Security
- Gender and Development
- Governance and Human Rights
- Infrastructure Policy
- Media Representations of Asia: Culture, Religion, Nation
M.A.A.P.P.S.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
- Applicants also must have a sufficient background in area studies and/or social sciences to permit advanced research and analysis of policy issues relevant to the Asia and Pacific regions and should have methodological training (especially basic knowledge of statistical analysis).
- Fluency in a non-English Asian language is highly recommended in preparation for the program.
- Applicants must satisfy the English language admission standard set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the IAR (see TOEFL Requirements).
- Admission of the applicant is not complete until the application has been accepted and the course of study has been approved by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the IAR.
Program Requirements
The program consists of three distinct elements:
- Core courses (6 credits)
- Elective courses (18 credits)
- Master's thesis (12 credits) or Practicum (12 credits)
For more information on admissions and program requirements, see M.A.A.P.P.S.
M.A.A.P.P.S. with Juris Doctor
Admission Requirements
The M.A.A.P.P.S./J.D. program allows students to obtain the degrees M.A.A.P.P.S. and Juris Doctor (J.D.) through combined enrolment in the IAR and the Faculty of Law.
Students wishing to pursue the dual M.A.A.P.P.S./J.D. degree program must be admitted separately by the IAR for the M.A.A.P.P.S. and by the Faculty of Law for the J.D. The graduate program advisor from the IAR serves as graduate program advisor for the dual degree program.
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 30 credits in Asia Pacific Policy Studies and 86 credits in the J.D. program.
The M.A.A.P.P.S. and J.D. will be conferred at the completion of the dual program after all requirements for both degrees have been met. Students who choose to receive either the M.A.A.P.P.S. or the J.D. prior to completion of the dual degree program may apply for one of the degrees provided all requirements for that degree have been satisfied. Students selecting this option must withdraw from the dual degree program.
For more information on admission and program requirements for the M.A.A.P.P.S and J.D., see the Institute of Asian Research and the Faculty of Law, respectively.
M.A.A.P.P.S. with Master of Business Administration
Admission Requirements
The M.A.A.P.P.S./M.B.A. degree program permits students to obtain the degrees of M.A.A.P.P.S. and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) through combined enrolment in the IAR and the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration (the Sauder School of Business). Interested applicants are required to apply directly to both the IAR and the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, indicating their desire to be considered for the dual M.A.A.P.P.S./M.B.A. program. Enrolment is limited to students who have demonstrated academic excellence.
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 30 credits in Asia Pacific Policy Studies and 45 credits in the M.B.A. program.
The M.A.A.P.P.S. and M.B.A. will be conferred at the completion of the dual program after all requirements for both degrees have been met. Students who choose to receive either the M.A.A.P.P.S. or the M.B.A. prior to the completion of the dual degree program may apply for one of the degrees provided all requirements for that degree have been satisfied. Students selecting this option must withdraw from the dual degree program.
For more information on admission and program requirements for the M.A.A.P.P.S and M.B.A., see the Institute of Asian Research and the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, respectively.
M.A.A.P.P.S. with Master of Arts in Planning
This program enables students to obtain the M.A.A.P.P.S. and M.A.P. degrees through a concurrent course of study. The program enables students enrolled in Asia Pacific Policy Studies and in Planning to pursue a specialized curriculum in community and regional planning (leading to an accredited professional degree) and Asia Pacific Policy Studies.
Admission Requirements
Students wishing to pursue the M.A.A.P.P.S./M.A.P must be admitted separately to Asia Pacific Policy Studies for the M.A.A.P.P.S. degree and to Planning for the M.A.P. degree. Those seeking admission to the dual degree program must provide notice to this effect in their applications to IAR and SCARP, indicating in writing their desire to enrol in the M.A.A.P.P.S./M.A.P. program and the desired areas of specialization in both.
Students wishing to transfer to the M.A.A.P.P.S./M.A.P. program from another UBC program must satisfy all requirements to admission to M.A.A.P.P.S. and to M.A.P. This may involve separate graduate study applications to FoGS if the student is not currently registered in a graduate program. Enrolment in the dual degree program requires the consent of the directors of both the IAR and SCARP.
Program Requirements
Students in the M.A.A.P.P.S./M.A.P. program are required to complete all course requirements for graduation in both master's programs, subject to the following modifications:
- Completion of IAR 500 will count for credits toward M.A.A.P.P.S. and 6 credits toward M.A.P.
- 6 credits of coursework in M.A.P. will be counted toward M.A.A.P.P.S. electives.
- Students are required to complete either a 12-credit thesis or a 12-credit practicum.
With these modifications, a total of 78 credits are required for graduation: Total Credits: 78 (M.A.A.P.P.S.: 30 / M.A.P.: 48).
The M.A.A.P.P.S. and M.A.P. will be conferred at the completion of the dual program after all requirements for both degrees have been met. Students who choose to receive either the M.A.A.P.P.S. or the M.A.P. prior to completion of the dual degree program may apply for one of the degrees provided all requirements for that degree have been satisfied. Students selecting this option must withdraw from the dual degree program.
Contact Information
Institute of Asian Research
C.K. Choi Building, 253-1855 West Mall
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z2
Tel: 604.822.3801
Fax: 604.822.5207
Email: maapps.iar@ubc.ca
Web: www.iar.ubc.ca/maapps
