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These questions are designed to assist
you in making your decision to pursue certificate or degree level
studies in Public Administration and Governance at Ryerson.
Who takes this program?
How will I benefit from this program?
How long does it take?
How many courses can I take per semester?
How is this program regarded by government and public officials?
I have been out of school for a long time! How do I get help with planning my program of study?
How do I get help with essays and other course work?
What other student services are available to me?
What credits are given for previous studies and employment experience?
How do I apply for admission to the program?
Who takes this program?
This program is designed for people working in the public sector,
or those who wish to learn more about how it works. This includes
practitioners at the federal, provincial or municipal level, people
involved in policy or administration in social service agencies,
health services, advocacy groups and other public or non-profit
organizations and agencies. Social workers, policy analysts, health
administrators, police officers, fire personnel and First Nations
administrators are among those who have benefited from our program. Indeed, partnerships with the First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) and with the Office of the (Ontario) Fire Marshal (OFM) and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) have resulted in the delivery of the Public Administration and Governance program in Aboriginal communities and at the Ontario Fire College in specialised formats designed specifically for First Nations administrators and fire services personnel respectively.
How will I benefit from this program?
Ryerson’s Public Administration and Governance program provides
you with:
- a better understanding of current public administration practices
- the attainment of skills (analytic, administrative, communication,
managerial) for career development in the public sector and in
organizations that deal with it
- preparation for post-graduate studies in law, political science,
public administration, public policy and business administration
For fire services personnel, the Public Administration and Governance program is administered by a partnership with the Office of the (Ontario) Fire Marshal (OFM) and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC), so it is designed to provide career-relevant education that will help fire service professionals advance in their careers.
How long does it take?
To earn a Certificate (Level 1), you need to successfully complete
eight one-semester courses. A one-semester course consists of a
3 hour class, one night per week for 13 weeks, taken either in the
Fall, Winter, or Spring/Summer Semester. After completion of the
Certificate, students can continue on to an Advanced Certificate
and/or Bachelor of Arts. Several courses are available through different
modes: day, off campus-on site, distance and intensive mode.
How many courses can I take per semester?
This depends on your own schedule, work and family commitments,
previous educational experience, etc. Many people begin with one
course and move to two courses per semester. Others find they can
take three courses per semester, sometimes completing courses at
home via correspondence. These people obviously move much more quickly
through the program obtaining a Certificate in a little over a year.
Our flexible program allows students to set their own pace.
How is this program regarded by government
and public officials?
The Public Administration and Governance program enjoys the active
support of prominent administrators and employee representatives
from the public and para-public sectors. The program has an Advisory
Council which provides ongoing advice and expertise to ensure that
the curriculum remains current and relevant. Advisory Council members
bring to our program an in-depth understanding of the educational
and professional development needs required in the public sector.
The Advisory Council includes managers from municipal, provincial
and federal governments; the Institute of Public Administration
of Canada; and several community and non-profit sector organizations.
See our website for a list
of Advisory Council members.
I have been out of school for a long
time! How do I get help with planning my program of study?
Most of our students have been out of school for a long time- so you are not alone. To begin, consult the Department web-site and/or the University’s Part-Time Calendar (click “online calendar,” then “programs of study” in the LH menu, then “Faculty of Arts,” then “Public Administration and Governance”). Both the web-site and the calendar explain the course requirements of the program in some detail. If the information there doesn’t tell you everything you need to know, call the Administrative Assistant at 416-979-5057 for further advice.
For most students, including those in the FNTI partnership, the first course taken should be POL332 (Power and Influence in Canada) or, if that doesn’t work for your schedule, PPA322 (Canadian Public Administration I). Students enrolled through the fire services partnership should begin with PPA322 or POL122 (Local Government in Canada).
Early in the fall terms there will be an orientation evening at which you will meet faculty and fellow students and be able to ask questions.
How do I get help with essays and other
course work?
Our faculty understand that many students in the introductory courses
have been out of school for some time. They have experience in and
are sensitive to the needs of mature students and will ensure that
your initiation back into the classroom is enjoyable. In addition
to creating a friendly, flexible learning environment, faculty will
be able to give students individual attention and assistance because
of the small class size at Ryerson (between 15-35 students). The
program is very concerned with developing good communication skills
and therefore emphasizes teaching students how to think and write
effectively.
In addition, the Learning Success Centre at Ryerson offers workshops in
essay writing and effective study skills, and can advise on tours of the Library and assistance with research.
What other student services are available
to me?
As a Part-Time student, you are represented by the Continuing Education Students’
Association of Ryerson (CESAR). CESAR provides a number of services and materials
to help part-time students at Ryerson. Call 416-979-5193.
For the convenience of evening students, the Ryerson Book Store is open in the evenings
at the beginning of the term, and the Library is generally open evenings and weekends.
Part-time students are also eligible for membership in the Recreation and Athletics Centre.
What credits are given for previous
studies and employment experience?
Students who have completed University and/or Community College courses may be eligible for course credits. Review your “Academic History” on RAMSS (access through my.ryerson.ca) and if you believe you are entitled to additional credits that were not granted at the time of admission, you may apply for them following the procedure outlined in the Transfer Credit section of the Departmental web-site.
Students enrolled through the fire services partnership who possess a Company Officer, Prevention Officer, or Training Officer Diploma from the Ontario Fire College will also receive six (6) Professionally-Related course credits.
How do I apply for admission to the
program?
Visit the Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment online, and follow the instructions.
If you have questions concerning an application already submitted, please call the Admissions Officer, Cheryl Maine, at (416) 979-5000 extension 6006.
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