Certificate in Public Administration and Governance

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McGill SCS Certificate in Public Administration and Governance

In response to the growing labour market, we have designed a program that shapes students into strong candidates with transferable skills, such as leadership, managing projects, employee management, team building, and understanding ethical responsibilities and financial reports within public and non-profit organizations.

The study of public administration and governance will serve to either advance your career in the public sector or foster a seamless transition into the public sector. Each of our varied courses aims to encourage future leaders to analyze discrepancies in today’s current public operations, develop hands-on experience and gain a competitive edge, and find innovative strategies to achieve long-term success for organizations.

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Type: Undergraduate Certificate

Courses: 10

Credits: 30

Schedule: Full-time or Part-time

Time: Weekday evenings

Delivery: Online

Unit: Administration and Governance

Questions? studentsuccess.scs [at] mcgill.ca

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Learning Outcomes

The study of public administration and governance will serve to either advance your career in the public sector or foster a seamless transition into the public sector. Each of our varied courses aims to encourage future leaders to analyze discrepancies in today’s current public operations, develop hands-on experience and gain a competitive edge, and find innovative strategies to achieve long-term success for organizations.

The program will prepare you to:

Navigate public and non-profit organizations
Successfully manage organizational teams
Understand financial statements, budgets, costing, and responsible accounting
Plan, schedule, and develop projects
Interpret the legal and ethical issues relevant to Canada’s public services
Communicate effectively in the workplace
Facilitate strategic thinking and planning in organizations in response to changing conditions
Apply group dynamics to problem solving and decision making

Program Courses

Public Administration and Governance (Cert.) (30 credits)

Program credit weight: 30

The Certificate in Public Administration and Governance focuses on public service management, organization, and prioritization of day-to-day functions for people in management and for other stakeholders who work cooperatively and productively with others, including the needs of clients who use services in the public sector. A strong emphasis is placed on integrating the important current issues and policies that affect the day-to-day operating, decisions, systems and finances in a public organization.

Required Courses

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
CGMG 210	Fundamentals of Project Management.	3
Fundamentals of Project Management. Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027 Fundamental principles and best practices of project management essential to the successful development of projects or other complex undertakings within an organization; includes methods for defining, planning, and scheduling activities and resources. See course page for more information
CGMG 305	Managing in Public and Non-Profit Organizations.	3
Managing in Public and Non-Profit Organizations. Terms offered: Fall 2026 This course provides learners with the knowledge, competencies and aptitudes necessary for managing and leading both private businesses and organizations in the not-for-profit sector. Topics include governance, community services, community systems, management vs leadership style, and understanding the differences between strategic and operational planning, with an emphasis on financial and human resource management. See course page for more information
CORG 225	Foundation of Organizational Behaviour and Administration.	3
Foundation of Organizational Behaviour and Administration. Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027 This course covers diverse theories and applications such as perception, motivation, decision-making, team dynamics, negotiation, conflict management, leadership, and organizational culture. Levels of analysis are on the individual, team and organizational level. See course page for more information
CORG 420	Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice.	3
Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice. Terms offered: Fall 2026, Winter 2027 This course provides a comprehensive overview of human resources management (HRM) and an understanding of the strategic role HRM plays in the work environment. It introduces students to current HRM concepts, skills and practices, focusing on both theory and its practical application. Topics include: human resources planning, job analysis and design, recruitment selection and retention, training, performance management, organizational development and change, compensation and benefits, labour relations, legal issues, and strategic issues and challenges in HRM. See course page for more information
CPAG 220	Fundamentals of Public Finance, Budgeting and Reporting.	3
Fundamentals of Public Finance, Budgeting and Reporting. Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026 Covers public finance; characteristics of budgeting; public funding; basics of fiscal analysis; concepts and terminology in financial reporting; cash management, monitoring and evaluation of budget performance. See course page for more information
CPAG 225	Foundations of Public Regulations and Ethics in Public Sector.	3
Foundations of Public Regulations and Ethics in Public Sector. Terms offered: Fall 2026, Winter 2027 Fundamental elements of the Canadian legal system; legal environment of Canadian public administration, law, institutions and processes; principles of public sector ethics; relationship between ethics, accountability and good governance. See course page for more information
CPAG 300	Lean Operational Practices in Public Services.	3
Lean Operational Practices in Public Services. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Lean principles and methods that can be applied to meet the demands for efficiency and quality in the public sector, encompassing a value-oriented approach to process improvement through waste elimination, flow, demand pull and perfection aiming to achieve operational excellence. See course page for more information
CPAG 305	Current Issues in Public Sector Administration.	3
Current Issues in Public Sector Administration. Terms offered: Summer 2026 Current challenges and opportunities facing managers in the public sector. Management tools and concepts being used in the public sector offices, and how specific management issues are addressed within the departments. See course page for more information
CPAG 400	Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Management.	3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Management. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Examination of the concepts of equity, diversity and inclusion. Effect on interpersonal interactions, intergroup interactions and the management of multicultural workforces in terms of cognition and behaviour, communication, leadership, employee engagement and negotiation. See course page for more information
CPAG 410	Strategic Planning and Implementation.	3
Strategic Planning and Implementation. Terms offered: Fall 2026, Winter 2027 Theory and practice of strategic management required to facilitate strategic thinking and planning in organizations in response to changing conditions. Topics in stakeholder analysis; transforming strategic plans into policies and programs, assessing organizational performance, deploying resources, quality control, strategic communication, planning, problem solving, progress assessment; completion and evaluation. See course page for more information

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a CEGEP diploma (DCS, DEC or equivalent) OR
Applicants who do not have the required academic background for admission but are 21 years of age or older may be admitted as mature students
Applicants between 18 and 21 years of age who do not have a CEGEP diploma but have at least a high school leaving certificate may be accepted into a qualifying program
Applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency

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