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ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï SCS Certificate in Public Administration and Governance

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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: Ìý Undergraduate Certificate
Courses: Ìý 10
Credits: Ìý 30
Schedule: Ìý Full-time or Part-time
Time: Ìý Weekday evenings
Delivery: Ìý Online
Unit: Ìý Administration and Governance
Questions? Ìý info.conted [at] mcgill.ca

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Special Thanks to

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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 Title Credits
CGMG 210Fundamentals of Project Management.3

Fundamentals of Project Management.

Terms offered: Summer 2026

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.

CGMG 305Managing in Public and Non-Profit Organizations.3

Managing in Public and Non-Profit Organizations.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

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.

CORG 225Foundation of Organizational Behaviour and Administration.3

Foundation of Organizational Behaviour and Administration.

Terms offered: Summer 2026

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.

CORG 420Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice.3

Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

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.

CPAG 220Fundamentals of Public Finance, Budgeting and Reporting.3

Fundamentals of Public Finance, Budgeting and Reporting.

Terms offered: Summer 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.

CPAG 225Foundations of Public Regulations and Ethics in Public Sector.3

Foundations of Public Regulations and Ethics in Public Sector.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

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.

CPAG 300Lean Operational Practices in Public Services.3

Lean Operational Practices in Public Services.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

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.

CPAG 305Current 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.

CPAG 400Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Management.3

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Management.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

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.

CPAG 410Strategic Planning and Implementation.3

Strategic Planning and Implementation.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

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.


Admission Requirements
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  • Applicants must hold a CEGEP diploma (DCS, DEC or equivalent) OR
  • Applicants who do not have the normal academic background for admission but are 21 years of age and 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

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 and Articles

Osman Omer: From ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï SCS Classroom to Parliament Hill
A proud alumnus of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï SCS, Osman Omer completed the SCS Certificate in Public Administration and Governance in 2023, building on a strong foundation in engineering.


"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."


Videos and Webinars
Certificate in Public Administration and Governance Webinar Thumbnail

Thinking of a career in the public service? Learn more about the field in our webinar replay in which members of Indigenous communities from around Canada connected online to explore interpersonal dynamics in public sector work environments, approaches to managing conflict, and tools for coaching performance.

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