Course Planning
Full-Time Student Course Plan
The full-time academic course load has a set progression over three terms, allowing students to complete the program in one year.
Fall Term (September-December) |
Winter Term (January-April) |
Summer Term (May-August) |
PA 9901 Advanced Local Government |
PA 9902 Policy Process in Local Government |
PA 9923 Strategic Planning & Management |
PA 9903 Organizational Behaviour |
PA 9904 Local Government Management |
PA 9917 Issues in Local Government |
PA 9914 Research Design & Methods |
PA 9911 Municipal Law |
|
PA 9915 Program Evaluation |
PA 9912 Financial Management |
|
PA 9916 Theories of Public Administration |
PA 9913 Local Economic Development |
Program Milestone: Masters Research Report |
For course content information visit the Courses page.
Part-Time Student Course Plans
Part-Time students should plan their academic progression well in advance. Part-time tuition is the same amount for 0, 1 or 2 courses, so it is not ideal for a student to have no courses left to take in a term. To assist you, we have developed several course plan options for you to choose from. Any modification to these approved course plans requires permission from the Program Director.
Course Exemption
MPA students with extensive academic and professional experience in a field that pertains directly to a specific course topic, may be eligible for an exemption from that course. Eligible students must submit their request for exemption in writing to the Program Director. Most exemptions are granted for either PA 9911 Municipal Law or PA 9912 Financial Management.
The criteria for approval are:
1. The student must have a mangement-level employment experience in the field (e.g., municipal lawyer or treasurer)
2. The student must hold or be working towards a professional designation in the field (e.g., with the Law Society of Ontario or CPA Ontario)
3. The student must have taken courses covering similar topics at either the undergraduate or graduate level
General Guidelines to Follow
Should a student wish to adjust one of the approved plans, please keep the following in mind:
- PA 9901 must be taken before PA 9902.
- PA 9903 must be taken before PA 9904.
- PA 9916 should be taken near the beginning of the program.
- PA 9914 should be taken about half way through the program and must be taken before PA 9917.
- PA 9915 should be taken before PA 9913 if possible.
- PA 9917 should be taken in your final summer term.