Public Administration and Governance

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
2. The grade required in the subject prerequisite (normally in the 70 percent range) will be determined subject to competition.
3. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.
4. Students are admitted three times a year in the fall, winter and spring/summer terms.

The curriculum reflects the latest developments in public sector issues and initiatives, and features a mix of courses providing students with a broad understanding of the Canadian political process. The courses emphasize the importance of linking the theory and practice of public administration to concerns of political economy and public policy.

The program is also delivered to First Nations administrators through a partnership with the First Nations Technical Institute (external link, opens in new window)  (FNTI) and to fire services personnel through a slightly modified curriculum.

The program provides students with:

• a better understanding of organizations and operations in the public sector
• the attainment of analytic, administrative, communication and management skills necessary for career development in the public sector and in organizations that deal with it
• an awareness of the political forces that shape public administration and policy

Those currently working in or dealing with the public sector will enjoy the immediate benefit of improved understanding of their work environment and greater potential for long-term career development and mobility.

To enhance the flexibility of learning opportunities, the program offers courses in various teaching modes including classes at Ryerson campus, distance education, intensive study, and on-site delivery at various locations.

The Public Administration and Governance program consists of three separate, but interrelated levels of study that allow students to set their own educational goals. Students may apply to graduate with a Certificate after completing Level 1, with an Advanced Certificate after completing Level 2, and with a Bachelor of Arts Degree after completing Level 3.

Each level features a mix of program courses in Canadian politics, policy, and public administration, complemented by professionally-related offerings in areas such as accounting, economics, communication, human resource management, and business technology management. Also included are liberal studies courses to broaden intellectual horizons and create an awareness of the philosophical and moral premises upon which many public administration activities are based.

CERTIFICATE (LEVEL 1): In order to earn a Certificate, students are required to take eight courses. Students will be introduced to the basics of public administration. They can then choose two courses in Canadian, Ontario, Local, or Indigenous Politics. Students may also develop or enhance administrative skills by choosing professionally-related courses in accounting, communication, economics, human resources management, information technology management, law, nonprofit and voluntary sector management, and occupational and public health.

ADVANCED CERTIFICATE (LEVEL 2): Students can continue into Level 2 of the program and obtain an Advanced Certificate after completing eight additional courses. At this level, students will analyse the framework of public policy, and will have the opportunity to explore the relationship between government and labour, the ideological basis for administrative institutions and financial management. Students will continue to develop their administrative and communication skills by choosing additional professionally-related courses from a lengthy table.

DEGREE (LEVEL 3): Students at Level 3 will participate in a sophisticated investigation of specialized areas in public administration, beginning with a required course in Research Methods. Students will then select eight courses that allow for the exploration of theories of bureaucracy and organization, administrative law, e-Government, financial planning and management, intergovernmental relations, collaborative governance, program planning and evaluation, current issues, and comparative public policy. Administrative skill development continues in Level 3 with a minimum of two professionally-related courses from the lengthy table. Students who have a minimum of two years of work experience in the public, para-public or voluntary/nonprofit sectors may apply to pursue the practicum option. Students eligible for the practicum are encouraged to situate their practicum paper in an area related to their work environment. Students who pursue the Research Paper Option must complete an additional two professional courses, an additional five professionally-related courses, and a Public Policy Research Paper. Students admitted through a First Nations partnership follow the general outline of the Practicum Option, but complete a series of courses specially designed to address an Indigenous context. Upon successful completion of Level 3, students may apply to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Public Administration and Governance.

Students may apply for transfer credit or advanced standing based on previous post-secondary studies. Consult the Department of Politics and Public Administration for details.

Course Identification

Part-time courses are administered by either the program department or The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. The mode of delivery is not reflected in this calendar. Continuing education courses are identified in your course enrollment selection process with a 'C' prefix. These identifiers are for internal use only and do not affect the equivalency.

Course Equivalencies:

• Level 1 students must take one lower level liberal studies course in order to graduate.
• Level 2 students must take one lower level liberal studies course in order to graduate.
• Level 3 students must take a total of four liberal studies courses to graduate. At least three must be upper level liberal studies courses.
• Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major. 

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Two courses from the following:

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: Two courses from Table I.

NOTE: Upon successful completion of Level 1, students may apply for a Certificate in Public Administration and Governance (opens in new window) .

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Three courses from the following (not previously taken):

† Offered only through First Nations partnership

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from the following:

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: Two courses from Table I.

† First Nations students will complete PPA 705 and PPA 703 in lieu of PPA 235 and PPA 319 respectively.

NOTE: Upon successful completion of Level 2, students may apply for an Advanced Certificate in Public Administration and Governance (opens in new window) .

Students admitted before Fall 2011 should follow the curriculum as it appeared in the calendar in effect at the time of their admission. Students admitted before Fall 2011 who wish to follow the new curriculum (above) should contact the Department of Politics and Public Administration and complete a plan change form.

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Eight courses from the following (not previously taken):

REQUIRED GROUP 2: Two courses from the following:

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A; Three courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: Seven courses from Table I.

Upon successful completion of Level 3, any of the three options, students may apply for a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Public Administration and Governance.

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Eight courses from the following (not previously taken):

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A; Three courses from Table B.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: Two courses from Table I.

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Eight courses from the following (not previously taken):

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A; Three courses from Table B.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: Two courses from Table I.

First Nations students admitted through the First Nations partnership are, as part of the admission criteria, eligible to complete the Practicum Option.

Students who are accepted into the Practicum Option are exempt from the Required Group 2 requirement in the Research Paper Option, and require only two Professionally-Related electives.

Upon successful completion of Level 3, any of the three options, students may apply for a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Public Administration and Governance.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Doug Allen
Research Representative
Canadian Union of Public Employees

Dr. Isabella Bakker
Professor
Department of Political Science York University

John Campey
Executive Director
Ralph Thornton Centre

Steven Davidson
Associate Secretary of Cabinet
Deputy Minister, Policy and Delivery
Government of Ontario

Jenny A. Gumbs
Honorary Consul General
Consulate General of Grenada in Toronto

Brian Mckenna
Partner
Deloitte Inc.

Glen Murray
Member of Provincial Parliament (Lib: Toronto-Centre)
Government of Ontario

Shirley Phillips
Deputy Minister, International Trade
Government of Ontario

Patricia Walcott
General Manager, Employment and Social Services
City Of Toronto