Public Administration
Program Overview
Humber’s Public Administration graduate certificate program is the first of its kind in Canada providing all of the knowledge, skills and experience graduates need to become successful public service employees. Designed and taught by public administration professionals, this program is your key to succeeding quickly in a public sector job. You will receive advanced training in communications, policy analysis, project management, information technology, public finance, governance, leadership and human resources management. Experienced faculty, most of whom currently work in the public sector, will guide you through the core of the curriculum, with guest speakers addressing specific topical issues. The practical, skills-based curriculum provides the foundation for long-term career success by exposing you to the primary activities of public administration and by providing networking opportunities with civil servants from across the sector.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
Describe the machinery of government in Canada, including the roles and responsibilities of executives, legislatures and the judiciary, as well as the relationships between all levels of government.
Define ethics and values which are key to public administration and explain how they apply at all levels of public administration.
Explore and compare public administration practices found in industrialized countries, especially member states of the European Union and the United States.
Discuss current issues affecting Canadian public administration and examine how those issues are managed from a public management perspective.
Discuss key elements of strategic planning processes and examine how these apply to public administration.
Understand and relate to governments from two perspectives: as business entities with strategic plans, budgets, and core businesses; and as organizations composed of complex human behaviour.
Explain key economic and finance concepts such as externalities, public and private goods, deficit financing, debt repayment, and fiscal federalism.
Demonstrate how governments plan, manage and report on the collection and expenditure of public funds.
Discuss information technology and software applications used in public administration as well as current information technology issues faced by public sector IT managers.
Prepare and manage human resources in public administration, including the preparation of HR plans, recruitment and selection processes, supervisory skills, negotiating skills and conflict resolution skills.
Describe the role that communications plays in the public sector and work with stakeholders and partners to meet the information needs of the public, the media, political staff and the bureaucracy.
Examine how governments develop, implement and evaluate programs in general and learn how to use specific research and analysis tools to contribute to that process in particular.
Identify the methodological and conceptual issues associated with evaluating and maintaining quality services in the public sector.
Identify the skills and knowledge required by project managers and project management teams in the public sector.
Understand and fulfill leadership responsibilities in the public sector by assessing individual leadership traits and behaviours and apply this understanding to the broader theories and concepts of leadership.
Understand, contribute to, and manage partnerships in the public sector, broadly defined.
Work Placement
You will gain on-the-job work experience with an eight-week (minimum) work placement within the public sector. With faculty support, you will find placements with an appropriate organization.
Your Career
The federal government is the largest single employer in Canada. The provincial governments are a close second, and municipal governments employ hundreds of thousands across the country. The 3.2 million people in the public sector account for almost 20 per cent of all employment. And public sector employees tend to earn higher than average salaries with excellent benefits and working conditions. Shifting demographic factors are rapidly increasing governments’ and public sector agencies’ need for talented people with a broad range of public administration skills and knowledge – and the desire to make a difference – to continue the important work of the public service. Find exceptional career opportunities in positions such as policy analyst, communications officer and program officer.
Federal government employers include Service Canada, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Provincial government employers include the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
Related Programs
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Credential: Ontario Graduate Certificate
Length: 3 semesters
Program Availability
Public Administration
Watch "James Nowlan" to hear about his experience in the Public Administration program.
News Feed
DBSA Hosts a Virtual Industry Panel Event
Thu, November 11, 2021
Thanks to the Program Advisory Committee members of the Digital Business Management BComm program for joining our first Industry Panel event for the 2021-2022 academic year: Workplace Post-COVID.
Fundraising Graduate Certificate Gets Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Approval!
Fri, October 01, 2021
Fundraising may be the least known best profession needed in the world today. With excellent employment opportunities, career development paths, and compensation, it's more than just a job.
No news at this time.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
Scroll down to close
HOW TO APPLY
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
POST-ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
FEES & SCHOLARSHIPS
PATHWAYS
CONTACT US
Post-Admission Requirements
Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).
Software Requirements
Proficiency in the use of word processing, database and spreadsheet software.
Fees
The 2021-2022 fee for three semesters was:
- domestic: $8,809.72
- international: $26,202.00
Fees are subject to change.
Fees by Semester
Domestic Fees International FeesAdditional Costs
Note: An additional registration fee of $440 applies to placements completed after the final semester of this program.
Scholarships
Humber Scholarships
Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.
Humber Bursaries
Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.
External Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships
Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.
Indigenous Student Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships
Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.
Pathways
Pathways are academic routes that students can take to move from one credential to another.
PATHWAYS OUT TO ANOTHER PROGRAM:
TO A PARTNER INSTITUTION
Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
Students who possess a Bachelor's degree and who have successfully completed one of Humber's designate Ontario Graduate Certificate programs will be able to transfer up to fifteen credits towards Northwood University's Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) degree. Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (74% - 76%) or above or the equivalent thereof, for regular admission. Official Transcripts must be submitted in English or the original official transcript must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Students must meet all other undergraduate and graduate admission requirements which also includes TOEFL scores or IELTS scores or other evidence of English Proficiency for regular admission unless they have validation from high schools or International schools where they conducted all coursework in English.
Admission to the academic programs listed is at the sole discretion of the partner post-secondary institution.
Please contact the institution for detailed admission requirements.
Master of Business Administration
Humber and Centenary University have entered into an agreement to facilitate the transfer of Humber graduates with appropriate prerequisite qualifications and grades for advanced standing into Centenary University.
Graduates with a GPA of 3.0 or 75% may receive up to 6 credits towards Centenary's Masters of Business Adminstration (MBA) program. Thirty-three (33) remaining credits may be required for program completion. Final advanced standing granted to an applicant requires an assessment of transcripts and electives taken.
Humber applicants are required to submit the following to Centenary:
- a completed application form (with essay where applicable) along with the application fee
- official Humber transcript sent directly to Centenary from Humber
- verification of high school graduation
- Letter of Recommendation from a Humber Program Coordinator, specifying why the student is a good candidate for the program.
Admission to the academic programs listed is at the sole discretion of the partner post-secondary institution. Please contact the institution for detailed admission requirements.
Coordinator of Study Abroad and International Student Admissions
Patricia.Mahaffey@CentenaryUniversity.edu
Master of Leadership and Public Administration
Humber and Centenary University have entered into an agreement to facilitate the transfer of Humber graduates with appropriate prerequisite qualifications and grades for advanced standing into Centenary University.
Graduates with a GPA of 3.0 or 75% may receive up to 6 credits towards the Masters of Leadership and Public Administration (MLPA) program. Thirty-three (33) remaining credits may be required for program completion. Final advanced standing granted to an applicant requires an assessment of transcripts and electives taken.
Humber applicants are required to submit the following to Centenary:
- a completed application form (with essay where applicable) along with the application fee
- official Humber transcript sent directly to Centenary from Humber
- verification of high school graduation
- Letter of Recommendation from a Humber Program Coordinator, specifying why the student is a good candidate for the program.
Admission to the academic programs listed is at the sole discretion of the partner post-secondary institution. Please contact the institution for detailed admission requirements.
Coordinator of Study Abroad and International Student Admissions
Patricia.Mahaffey@CentenaryUniversity.edu
How to Apply
Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program. To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber's program pages or ontariocolleges.ca.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.
