Professional Specialization Certificates
Requirements
You can earn a Professional Specialization Certificate in as little as one year. We accept new students in September, January and May.
Each certificate consists of a mixture of four core and elective courses (6 units). Specific program requirements include:
- Public Policy and Governance
- Public Sector Management
- Local Government Management
- Voluntary and Nonprofit Sector Management
- Performance Management
While we cannot offer transfer credit, course substitutions are permitted if you have already completed a required course (or equivalent).
Transferring to a diploma program
Upon admission to either the Diploma in Public Sector Management or the Diploma in Local Government Management Program, students who hold a Professional Specialization Certificate may transfer up to four courses (6 units) into the diploma program. Students will be required to meet the Diploma requirements by completing a further seven or eight courses (not duplicating courses already taken in the Certificate).
Public Policy and Governance
Core courses
- ADMN 311 Introduction to Public Administration (cross-listed as POLI 350)
- ADMN 420 The Public Policy Process (or ADMN 465 Local Government Policy)
Elective courses
Two of the following courses:
- ADMN 314 Public Sector Research Analysis
- ADMN 407 Managing Service Delivery
- ADMN 422 Ethical Public Management
- ADMN 437 Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
- ADMN 462 Intergovernmental Relations in Canada
- ADMN 470 Contemporary Topics (with appropriate topic)
- ADMN 477 Strategic Planning and Implementation
Public Sector Management
Core courses
Four of the following courses:
- ADMN 407 Managing Service Delivery
- ADMN 411 Public Sector Project Management
- ADMN 421 Financial Management
- ADMN 422 Ethical Public Management
- ADMN 437 Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
- ADMN 462 Intergovernmental Relations in Canada
- ADMN 477 Strategic Planning and Implementation
- ADMN 470 Contemporary Topics (with appropriate topic)
Local Government Management
Core courses
One of the following courses:
- ADMN 312 Managing in Public Non-Profit Sector Organizations*
- ADMN 423 Local Government in British Columbia
Elective courses
Three of the following courses:
- ADMN 312 Managing in Public Non-Profit Sector Organizations* (if 423 taken as a core course)
- ADMN 422 Ethical Public Management
- ADMN 423 Local Government in British Columbia (if 312 taken as a core course)
- ADMN 445 Urban and Regional Economics*
- ADMN 446 Local Government Land Use Planning
- ADMN 448 Local Government Financial Management
- ADMN 452 Local Government Law*
- ADMN 465 Local Government Policy* (or ADMN 420)
- ADMN 470 Contemporary Topics (with appropriate topic)
*Courses required for external professional accreditation in Local Government Administration by the Board of Examiners, Ministry of Community and Rural Development.
Voluntary and Non-profit Sector Management
Core courses
- ADMN 409 Leading and Managing in the Non-profit Sector
- ADMN 437 Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
Elective courses
Two of the following courses:
- ADMN 407 Managing Service Delivery
- ADMN 411 Public Sector Project Management
- ADMN 421 Financial Management
- ADMN 470 Contemporary Topics (with appropriate topic)
- ADMN 477 Strategic Planning and Implementation
Performance Management
Core courses
- ADMN 437 Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
Elective courses
Three of the following courses:
- ADMN 314 Public Sector Research and Analysis
- ADMN 407 Managing Service Delivery
- ADMN 411 Public Sector Project Management
- ADMN 421 Financial Management
- ADMN 477 Strategic Planning and Implementation
- ADMN 470 Contemporary Topics (with appropriate topic)
