Public Administration

In the public administration program you’ll study administration, planning and governance with a focus on these sectors:

public
community
Indigenous
volunteer

Potential careers

What can you do with a public administration degree? Here are a few jobs and fields that relate to your program:

public sector management
non-profit management
policy analyst
communications officer
public relations
research analyst
program analyst
public sector consultant
human resources
program management
labour relations
community development

Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.

Find a career that fits you

Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
Enrol in the Your Career Starts Here course to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.

Experience & connections

Opportunities in the public administration program

With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.

Opportunities outside your program

With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.

Networks you can connect to

Here is a professional association related to public administration:

Institute for Public Administration in Canada

Hands-on learning opportunities

These courses in the public administration program offer extensive hands-on learning.

Co-op

Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience

Professional and technical skill development

ADMN 311 - Introduction to Public Administration
Develop writing and analytical skills in media and policy analysis

ADMN 312 - Managing in Public and Non-Profit Organizations
Create a leadership profile; build skills and self-awareness of management style

ADMN 316 - Written Communications in the Public and Non-Profit Sectors
Gain skills writing press releases, briefing notes, etc.

ADMN 421 - Financial Management
Gain skills in budgeting, forecasting, reporting, etc.

ADMN 431A - Public Sector Human Resource Management
Develop human resource management skills in supervision, recruitment, etc.

ADMN 437 - Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
Learn how to evaluate programs and measure performance using case studies

ADMN 477- Strategic Planning and Implementation
Draft a strategic plan for a community organization (real or simulated)

Research project

ADMN 200 - International Community Development Through Capacity Building
Publicly present an activist response to a community development issue

ADMN 423 - Local Government in British Columbia
Interview a local government official about a current issue and write a report

What you'll learn

Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the public administration program.

Communication, engagement and collaboration

write and deliver oral presentations
understand how social media and other channels can enhance or stifle the quality of communications
use presentation software, graphics and other aids to convey complex or technical information
collaborate with diverse actors and develop strategies to address differences
address contemporary challenges with diverse citizenries and get people engaged in change

Creative leadership and management

identify the factors (institutional, policy, program, interpersonal, cultural) in making a decision
give clear, motivating and relevant direction
recognize, respect and ask for different views from stakeholders and citizens
encourage open discussion and negotiate solutions
respect cultural differences and collaborate
be fair, tactful and compassionate, and treat others with respect and integrity
support a workplace that values principles of inclusion and diversity

Critical and innovative thinking

define problems and assess their importance
collect information and evidence, and assess its significance
identify additional information to address a problem and understand how to carry out and commission the work
create opportunities for diverse and innovative perspectives and problem-solving methods
select, justify and communicate a solution or a series of options

Knowledge and strategic awareness

advance an agenda in complex settings
identify and understand high-priority problems and trends
understand the four orders of government in Canada
identify authority, power and influence and understand how they affect how things are done
understand organizational and interpersonal cultural dynamics and how they influence agendas and decision-making
use interpersonal and analytical skills to motivate others to achieve goals and create change

Professionalism, ethics and respect

act with integrity, courage and care
develop and practice self-reflection and self-learning as an interpersonal stance
understand ethical standards
assess policy, program and organizational decisions and situations from an ethical standpoint
balance the interests of individuals, groups, institutions and communities
perform at the highest standard of behaviour and codes of conduct

What's next?

To explore more visit the public administration site. For degree planning contact your adviser for help.