ɬÀï·¬

Google Code for Remarketing Tag - Bloom

ɬÀï·¬ SCS Graduate Certificate in Public Administration and Governance

Ìý

The Graduate Certificate in Public Administration and Governance focuses on the core competencies and tools needed for a career in public administration. These include analyzing legal and ethical issues relevant to public services, as well as providing leadership in equity, diversity, and inclusion practices in the workplace; building processes and systems in public organizations; and responding as appropriate to current issues and practices that affect day-to-day operations and decision-making.

You may also be interested in ɬÀï·¬ SCS Graduate Certificate in Advanced Public Administration and Governance

Type:ÌýÌý Graduate Certificate
Courses: Ìý 5
Credits: Ìý 15
Schedule:Ìý ÌýFull-time or Part-time
Time:Ìý ÌýWeekday evenings, Saturdays
Delivery:Ìý Online
Unit: Ìý Administration and Governance
Questions? Ìý info.conted [at] mcgill.ca

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý


Message from the Academic Program Coordinator
Ìý

I look forward to welcoming you to our Graduate Certificate in Public Administration and Governance program. Newly revised and updated, the program focuses on developing core competencies and tools to better navigate in public administration. At the core of this online program is a learner-centered instructional methodology which includes simulations, experiential activities and case studies to go beyond knowledge and theory.

Our instructors and students make up a community passionate about public administration. We have created an online environment that makes learning fun, hands-on, and engaging. Classes are taught by public services experts and practitioners. Guest speakers make each class engaging and interactive. Group activities and interactions are an integral part of the program; the ability to network with like-minded individuals and learn from your peers is important. Our students come from Canada and other parts of the world, as well as from a variety of backgrounds, both those employed in public administration and those who are not.

By the end of this program, graduates will be able to analyse legal and ethical issues relevant to public services, provide leadership in equity, diversity, and inclusion practices in the workplace, build processes and systems in public organizations, and respond as appropriate to current issues and practices that affect day-to-day operations and decision-making.

Nadège Firsova, PhD
Academic Program Coordinator, Public Administration and Governance programs
Academic Director, Administration and Governance domain


Who Should Apply

This program is a good fit for you if you are:

  • An early or mid-career professional who wants to begin a career in the public sector
  • A professional who wants to move to mid level positions such as an Administrative Services Manager or Manager in the public sector in general

Learning Outcomes

The program is designed to enable you to:

  • Analyze individual, group, and organizational behaviours
  • Interpret legal and ethical issues relevant to public services
  • Use public sector tools to analyze and evaluate current issues
  • Lead public and non-profit organizations
  • Plan, schedule, and develop projects
  • Analyze, evaluate, and apply lean project management techniques

Delivery Format and Schedule
Ìý

Online, Full-time or Part-time, Evenings, Saturdays


Courses

Public Administration and Governance (Gr. Cert.) (15 credits)

Offered by: Administration & Governance ÌýÌýÌý
Program credit weight: 15

Program Description

The online 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Public Administration and Governance focusses on the core competencies and tools, including: analyzing legal and ethical issues relevant to public services; providing leadership in equity, diversity, and inclusion practices in the workplace; building processes and systems in public organizations; and responding as appropriate to current issues and practices that affect day-to-day operations and decision-making.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Required Courses (9 credits)

Expand allContract all Course List
Course Title Credits
CORG 651Behaviour in Organizations.3

Behaviour in Organizations.

Terms offered: Summer 2025

Analysis of individual and group performance and behaviour within an organization. The implications for management and the essential concepts of social psychology, such as motivation, perception, working in teams, well-being, decision-making, communication, conflict management, power and politics, leadership, and organizational culture.

CPAG 610Current Issues in Public Sector Management.3

Current Issues in Public Sector Management.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Analysis of contemporary issues and challenges faced by public administration due to political, technological, social, and economic changes. Examination of current trends, successes, failures, and alternative solutions experienced by public administration in the past.

CPAG 615Public Regulations and Ethics in the Public Sector.3

Public Regulations and Ethics in the Public Sector.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Interpretation of legal and ethical issues relevant to public services. Examination of legal principles and legal reasoning, the role of law in public sector management, such as constitutional law, administrative law, and human rights law. Exploration of the principles that inform privacy and access to information legislation and their derivation form ethical theories.

Complementary Courses (6 credits)

  • 3 credits from:
Expand allContract all Course List
Course Title Credits
CPL2 633Developing Leadership Skills.3

Developing Leadership Skills.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Exploration of how to lead organizations. Examination of why and how leadership skills are critical to organizational success. Application of leadership skills to work effectively with others in an organizational setting.

CPL2 634Leading in Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces.3

Leading in Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Exploration of how to successfully lead diverse and inclusive organizations. Analysis of a variety of trends that have made managing workforce diversity an essential competency for leaders to succeed in an inclusive environment.

  • 3 credits from:
Expand allContract all Course List
Course Title Credits
CGM2 610Project Management: Tools and Techniques. 3

Project Management: Tools and Techniques.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Analysis of the development, scheduling, and planning of projects in both public and private organizations. Focus on theories of project management from initiation of a project to close-out. Exploration of project life cycle, planning, scheduling, implementing, monitoring, controlling, close-out and ethics applicable to projects of various sizes, types and degrees of complexity.

CPAG 600Lean Operations in Public Services.3

Lean Operations in Public Services.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Analysis of lean principles and the processes needed to optimize cost and maintain or improve services levels in the public sector. Exploration of the particularities of the service operations and how process improvement methodologies can be used in the public environment.

Or another 600-level course offered by the School of Continuing Studies and approved by the program adviser or academic unit.


Admission Requirements
Ìý
  1. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an approved university with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.0 in the last two years of full-time academic studies.

    * If your CGPA is lower than the above requirement, please submit the following for consideration with your application and official transcript.

    a) Letter of Intent: A letter, one to two pages in length, single-spaced, written in English or French, which addresses the following:

    • basis for interest in the program;
    • your knowledge that would be pertinent to the program;
    • your interest in the field of study and the reasons for applying to our program;
    • plans for integrating the training into your current or future career;
    • a description of your professional experience and its relevance, if applicable, to the program;
    • awards received or other contributions;
    • any additional information relevant to your application.

    b) Curriculum Vitae

    c) Two Letters of Reference:ÌýAt least one should be from a current or former employer.

  2. Applicants must provide proof of English Language proficiency.

Career Spotlight
Ìý
  • Business Administrator
  • Community Worker
  • Education Administrator
  • Executive Assistant
  • Foreign Correspondent
  • Foreign Service Officer
  • Government Administrator
  • Immigration Officer
  • Policy Advisor
  • Policy Assistant
  • Project Administrator

Online Tuition

Students who have been admitted toÌýonline programsÌýwill be subject to deregulated fees if they are studying with a residence address outside the province, as the government does not fund the University for credit activities that are followed outside Quebec. All students will have to self-declare their location of study each term inÌý. Consult the student accounts website –ÌýOnline Programs pageÌýfor more information.


International Students

This program is an Online (Distance Learning) program.

Since by definition distance learning does not require one to be in Canada, a study permit cannot be issued for this type of program, nor can one’s immigration status be changed (or renewed). For more information, please visit ÌýandÌý.


News & Articles


"En constante augmentation, la demande pour des professionnels dans le secteur public peine à être comblée, le nombre de diplômés étant inférieur à la quantité de postes à combler."


Need help applying?

Back to top