# Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
**Source**: https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs
**Parent**: https://www.uottawa.ca/study/graduate-studies/academic-unit-contact-information
Change starts with you.
As future leaders, our students are catalysts for change – in Canada and beyond. Curious about the world and committed to creating meaningful change, our students forge their paths to success at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Canada’s leading school of public and international affairs in the heart of the nation’s capital.
As a [center of excellence](https://www.cips-cepi.ca/) tied into a worldwide network of research and teaching collaborations, we attract outstanding students and world-class scholars doing cutting-edge research. We bring together multidisciplinary studies, theory and practice, bilingualism as well as a roster of [Senior Fellows](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/about-school/senior-fellows), comprised of distinguished policy professionals, to deliver transformational programs. Housed in the nation’s capital, the [GSPIA will open doors for you](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/why-study/student-experience) on the national and international stage – empowering you to drive change and pursue your interests passionately.
## Why study at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs?
The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs educates highly qualified leaders conscious of their responsibility to the common good in the domains of international relations, public policy, environmental sustainability, security, and defence.
[Why choose the GSPIA as a graduate student.](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/why-study)
[Graduate studies FAQ.](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/graduate/faq)
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[Video
MA in Public and International Affairs](#)
## Discover our programs
### [Undergraduate studies](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/undergraduate)
Acquire the skills needed to have an impact on your community and beyond in a learning environment that inspires ingenuity and fosters excellence.\
### [Graduate studies](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/graduate)
Take part in transformative research. Experience the teachings and networks of world-renowned professors. Advance your career with a Master’s in Public and International Affairs, Security and Defence Studies or Environmental Sustainability. Explore our other graduate programs to find the right course for you.
## Accelerate your career at the GSPIA. Gain real-world experience on a global scale.
Set yourself up for success. Take what you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world, while building connections that will set you apart from other candidates.
Take part in the GSPIA experiential learning program. Discover a world of opportunities outside the classroom: from co-op placements to study abroad programs and from embassy internships to a unique professional development program piloted by the GSPIA’s [Senior Fellows](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/about-school/senior-fellows), who are among the most experienced policy professionals in Canada – we’ll help you find your place in the world.
Learn more about the [student experience at the GSPIA](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/why-study/student-experience).
### The Institute of the Environment
The Institute of the Environment (IE) is the University of Ottawa’s hub for environmental sustainability-related research, teaching and other activities. The cross-cutting nature of environmental problems means that there is a critical need for innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and research.
[Learn more about our interdisciplinary activities.](https://www.uottawa.ca/environment/)
## Upcoming events
Jan 14
### [Virtual information session on our environmental sustainability programs - January 2026](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/events-all/virtual-information-session-our-environmental-sustainability-programs-january-2026)
(In English only) Are you passionate about sustainability and looking to build a career aligned with your values?Join us for an information session on…
Jan 15
### [Virtual information session of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in English - January 2026](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/events-all/virtual-information-session-graduate-school-public-international-affairs-english-0)
(In English only - you can join us on the same day, on January 15th from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., for a session in French only.)Join us to learn more about …
Jan 15
### [Virtual information session of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in French - January 2026](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/events-all/virtual-information-session-graduate-school-public-international-affairs-french-0)
(In French only - you can join us on the same day, on January 15th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., for a session in English only.)Join us to learn more about…
Feb 5
### [When all else fails: canadian fiscal policy and its role in confronting perpetual crisis](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/events-all/when-all-else-fails-canadian-fiscal-policy-its-role-confronting-perpetual-crisis)
This event is open only to the students and the faculty members of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
[Past events](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/past-events)
## Latest news
Faculty of Social Sciences
## [GSPIA hosts Canada's foreign minister](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/news-all/gspia-hosts-canadas-foreign-minister)
GSPIA hosts Canada's foreign minister
### All news
[View all GSPIA news stories](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/news-all?group%5B2261%5D=2261&title=)
Faculty of Social Sciences
#### [Winner of the Petrasek prize, Chloé Bissonnette](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/news-all/winner-petrasek-prize-chloe-bissonnette)
Faculty of Social Sciences
#### [Professor Marie-Ève Desrosiers Awarded the Robert Elgie Best Paper Prize 2025](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/news-all/professor-marie-eve-desrosiers-awarded-robert-elgie-best-paper-prize-2025)
Faculty of Social Sciences
#### [Winner of Anne and Saul Zussman scholarship](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/news-all/winner-anne-saul-zussman-scholarship-0)
Faculty of Social Sciences
#### [Environment and Innovation Scholar Joins GSPIA Faculty](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/news-all/environment-innovation-scholar-joins-gspia-faculty)
## Quick links
[Why study... ?](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/why-study)
[Graduate studies FAQ](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/graduate/faq)
[Research at the school](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/research)
[Faculty Student Hub](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/student-hub)
## Contact us
### Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
**Faculty of Social Sciences**\
[Social Sciences Building](https://www.uottawa.ca/about-us/administration-services/facilities/campus-maps/social-sciences-building)\
120 University Private, Room 6005\
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5\
Canada ([maps](https://www.uottawa.ca/about-us/administration-services/facilities/campus-maps))
[Personnel](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/about-school/management-administrative-staff) | [Faculty](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/about-school/faculty) | [Senior Fellows](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/about-school/senior-fellows)
Tel.: [613-562-5689](tel:613-562-5689)\
[[email protected]](https://www.uottawa.ca/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#593829302d192c162d2d382e38773a38)\
### Office hours
Monday to Friday\
8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.\
(June to August: closed at 3:30 p.m.)
### Note
Please note our services and our [personnel](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/public-international-affairs/about-school/management-administrative-staff) are available by MS Teams and by email.
The Social Sciences (FSS) and Vanier (VNR) buildings are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.