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Public Administration

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Program Code: 20531 Credential: Ontario Graduate Certificate Program Length: 3 semesters
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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.

Courses Learning Outcomes

Semester 1
HRM 5510: Human Resources and the Learning Organization
PPA 5000: Machinery of Government
PPA 5002: Current Issues in Public Administration
PPA 5003: Orientation to Government and the Public Sector
PPA 5004: Information Technology in Public Administration
PPA 5505: Project Management

Semester 2
FIN 5501: Public Sector Finance
PPA 5007: Municipal Government in Canada
PPA 5500: International Trends in Public Administration
PPA 5503: Communications in Public Administration
PPA 5504: Public Policy Research and Analysis
PPA 5506: Managing Partnerships and Relationships

Semester 3
PPA 5005: Overview of Strategic Planning
PPA 5006: Service Quality in Public Administration
PPA 5008: Leadership Development
WORK 5009: Research Project in Public Administration
WORK 5011: Career Orientation and Speaker Series


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Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

  1. 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.

  2. Define ethics and values which are key to public administration and explain how they apply at all levels of public administration.

  3. Explore and compare public administration practices found in industrialized countries, especially member states of the European Union and the United States.

  4. Discuss current issues affecting Canadian public administration and examine how those issues are managed from a public management perspective.

  5. Discuss key elements of strategic planning processes and examine how these apply to public administration.

  6. 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.

  7. Explain key economic and finance concepts such as externalities, public and private goods, deficit financing, debt repayment, and fiscal federalism.

  8. Demonstrate how governments plan, manage and report on the collection and expenditure of public funds.

  9. Discuss information technology and software applications used in public administration as well as current information technology issues faced by public sector IT managers.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. Identify the methodological and conceptual issues associated with evaluating and maintaining quality services in the public sector.

  14. Identify the skills and knowledge required by project managers and project management teams in the public sector.

  15. 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.

  16. Understand, contribute to, and manage partnerships in the public sector, broadly defined.


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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.

Program Availability

Start dates between Sept 2023 - Aug 2024
START DATE LOCATION STATUS
September 2023 Lakeshore Open
Start dates between Sept 2023 - Aug 2024
START DATE LOCATION STATUS
September 2023 Lakeshore Opening Soon

Public Administration

James Nowlan

Watch "James Nowlan" to hear about his experience in the Public Administration program.

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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.

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how to apply iconHOW TO APPLY admission requirements iconADMISSION REQUIREMENTS post-admission requirements iconPOST-ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS fees iconFEES & SCHOLARSHIPS pathways iconPATHWAYS contact iconCONTACT US

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet all the requirements below in order to meet minimum program eligibility. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission. Admission decisions will be available via MyHumber, or by email and mail. Admission decisions will not be released by phone.

Admission selection is based on the following 3 requirements:

  • Academic

    To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:

    • A bachelor’s degree

    Mature Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

    College Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

    University Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

  • English Language Proficiency

    All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

  • International Credit Evaluation

    Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a WES or ICAS evaluation.

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC EQUIVALENCY

Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please enter your location or choose detect my location to see the requirements for your country below.

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 2022-2023 fee for three semesters was:

  • domestic: $8,892.10
  • international: $26,847.00

Fees are subject to change.

Fees by Semester

Domestic Fees International Fees

Additional 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.

Explore Opportunities through Humber Pathways

Humber Pathways include:

  • Opportunities to build on your college education and complete your diploma or degree at Humber.
  • Degree and graduate study opportunities at other institutions in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
View Transfer Out Opportunities from this program  

Contact Us

Admissions Questions

Domestic Students  

Phone: 416-675-5000
Email: enquiry@humber.ca

International Students  

Contact the International Centre

Experience Humber

Take a Virtual Tour

Recruitment Events

Campus Maps

Speak to a Recruitment Officer

Want More Info?

Sign-up for more info on Humber, including programs, special events and more!

Contact Information

Ted Glenn, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3206
ted.glenn@humber.ca

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.

Admissions Road Map

Apply through Ontario Colleges

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.

Apply through the International Centre

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Nov 12, 2022

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