The proposed program will provide students with skills, knowledge and practical experience critical to a career in public service. Students will learn about the inner workings of government at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. The program will address issues such as public ethics, public policy, government and public sector structures, and public leadership and management. Through the program students will develop skills in critical thinking, analytical communications and public sector problem-solving. The goal of this program is to develop the requisite soft skills to enhance opportunities for the graduate to pursue a career as a public servant.
Public service is service that is performed for the benefit of the public or its institutions, usually through employment in either a government or a non governmental organization.
Program Facts
Length: One-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program Location: Doon (Kitchener) Start: September First-Year Capacity: 30 Tuition: Please refer to Fees Chart for more detail *Fees are higher for international students on a Student Visa. *Recreation/Athletics, Graduation/Alumni, Insurance, as well as program-related costs such as books and supplies are additional.
Co-op Information
To ensure successful completion of the program, it may be necessary to relocate or commute during co-op work terms
To be eligible to participate in any co-op work term, students must maintain the required academic standards for their program (see Co-op program page on college website for details)
The college cannot guarantee co-op employment. All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Co-op Office
Co-op & Career Services maintains comprehensive Co-op Policies & Procedures to which all co-op students must adhere (see Co-op program page on college website for details)
Admission Requirements
Diploma or degree from an accredited college or university.
Note:
Applicants possessing degrees/diplomas from institutions where the language of instruction was not English will be required to provide test scores as evidence of their English language proficiency. Test scores, if required, would be a minimum of TOEFL PBT 580 with a TWE of 4.5 or iBT 92; IELTS 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0; CAEL 70 with no sub-test band scores less than 60; CAAT D at 65%; or equivalent scores in other recognized standard tests of English.
We offer a language program for students whose English language skills are below the standard required for admission but who have met all other admission criteria. Applicants will be eligible for admission to the post-graduate program after completion of level 4 of the General Arts and Science - English Language Studies (ELS) program with an overall grade average of 80% and no grade less than 75%. Placement in the ELS program is determined by scores on an in-house English language test or TOEFL or IELTS.
Admission Procedures
Submit proof of the admission requirements.
Final acceptance is based on a review of post-secondary background and relevant documentation.
For program information call the Information Centre for details at 519-748-5220 ext. 3656.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Adults with significant life and work experience may receive credits toward a college certificate or diploma program through a prior learning assessment process (PLAR). Prior learning must be measurable at the college level and meet Conestoga standards of achievement for current courses . PLAR process is not used for admission process. Obtaining credits for courses linked to a specific program does not guarantee entrance into the program. To require guidance on the PLAR process contact the PLAR office at 519-748-5220, ext 2260 or visit: www.conestogac.on.ca/caa/testing/plar.jsp
Description: This mandatory course prepares students for job searching for their co-op work terms and for post-graduate careers. Students will learn to critically evaluate their skills, attitudes, and expectations and evaluate and interpret available opportunities in the workplace. Self-marketing techniques using resumes, cover letters, cold-calls, and interviewing will be learned and students will learn the expectations, rules, and regulations that apply in the workplace with regards to social, organizational, ethical, and safety issues. Hours: 16 Credits: 1 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will cover the practical aspects of public sector communication skills both in written and oral presentation forms. In the written form, students will practice letter writing, on-line communication procedures and etiquette, and the preparation of briefing notes, reports to committees or councils, meeting summaries, media releases and Question and Answer documents for senior managers or political leaders. Verbal communications skills such as the development of persuasive and assertive discussion and presentation abilities will also be learned and practiced. Finally, the role of media in reporting public sector issues and the relationship between private media representatives and related public agencies such as the CBC, NFB, CRTC, etc and public servants will be considered. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will introduce the role of governments in the Canadian political system to deliver goods and services to their citizens. When examining the government business entities such as the departmental and ministry structures, crown corporations, and government commission and boards, students will, in broad terms, also be examining the business traits that governments have adopted, such as identifying its core business responsibilities, its strategic and operational planning and budgeting processes, and how they are incorporated into the overall functioning of governments. Students will also be introduced to the complex relationships that exist both between politicians and public servants and between the public sector and the private sector. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will provide the students with an understanding of the historical evolution of the Canadian systems of government at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels, including special situation such as the First Nations self-governing entities. Students will also examine the distributions of powers and responsibilities in the Canadian federal structure, as well as the social, cultural and economic factors and related issues that influence federal-provincial-municipal relations and impact that they have on the development and implementation of public policy within the Canadian federal structure. Finally, students will be introduced to the use of the ?systems thinking’ model and compare it to the more prominent ?silo model’ of governmental operational practices. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: In this course, students will be introduced to the theoretical framework which defines ethics and values, including multicultural considerations, within the public sector in Canada. This will be achieved by using practical examples of ethical dilemmas resulting from situation involving issues such as conflicts of interest, acceptance of gifts and tokens, whistle-blowing, the requirement to facilitate public disclosure versus political, security and personal confidentiality considerations, etc. Such studies will encourage comparative discussions between existing governmental policies in these areas and the theoretical framework associated with these ethical issues. Students will also learn to develop the personal leadership skills and values associated with being a ?reflective practitioner’ of public service. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: In this course, students will learn and practice conflict resolution management and negotiations skills, as well as dispute resolution approaches within a unionized, multicultural environment. Students will also consider strategic and operational partnership opportunities with non-governmental agencies and organizations, inter-organizational public or private working groups, and inter-governmental relationships. With the objective of understanding what makes a high-performance team, existing or potential partnership and team-building processes will be evaluated. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: By examining contemporary leadership models and existing organizational systems in the unionized public service environment, students will learn about the theories and practices associated with leading productive operational teams and facilitating effective working groups. With the goal of achieving effective decision-making and fluid communications processes, optimizing diversity in the workplace, and ensuring that productive collaboration occurs within the primary and secondary internal systems in governmental organizations, students will also acquire a broad awareness of the systematic governmental perspectives within public service environments and how facilitate their effective application and integration into an organizational framework. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: In this course, students learn to create government department, section or unit mission, vision and value statements. Budgetary planning and financial management, information and data management, investment planning, and personnel planning and management will be considered from the perspective of not-for-profit and public sector financial and personnel structures. The need for increased public accountability and public service or ministerial responsibility will be evaluated. Management tools such as balanced score card logic, management and planning models, performance indicators, budget proposal development and tracking systems, program audit processes and evaluations, and timely and appropriate goods and services procurement methods will also be introduced. Hours: 75 Credits: 5 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will consider the role of Canada’s multicultural environment in the formulation of public policy and the resulting public programming by examining the cultural and ethnic dimensions of Canadian society. The course will also provide an opportunity for students to appreciate Canada’s unique approach to immigration and cultural pluralism. Integral to the course is the historical emergence of Canada as a model of that cultural and ethnic pluralism. Using a critical lens, students analyse the history of immigration in Canada and how the country has struggled to deal with inequality and human rights of its citizens. Attention will be paid to the challenges faced by newcomers and Canada’s Aboriginal People. Finally, the course will provide the students with an opportunity to explore multicultural issues, especially as they relate to public service practitioners. When appropriate and relevant, students will also be given an opportunity to share their experiences. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will provide students will college-approved work experience in a Public Service environment. It will increase the student's understanding of employer expectations with regards to attitudinal, practical, and academic skills. These skill areas will be improved during the work term while the student responsibly performs the duties as defined in the job description, in accordance with course and program outcomes. Student development will be evaluated during and at the conclusion of the work experience. Hours: 420 Credits: 14 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Graduate Opportunities
Graduates of this program can expect to have the specialized soft skills including communications, leadership, organizational development and planning to pursue or advance career opportunities in these services at the international, national, provincial, or local level.
Degree Completion Opportunities
Conestoga College is dedicated to creating exciting and flexible degree completion opportunities for many programs for current, former and prospective students. Learn how a Conestoga education can respond to the community's demand for a skilled workforce and help you to reach your goal of a challenging and rewarding career.
Visit our Degree Completion Opportunities website.
Financial Assistance
This program is currently not approved for OSAP funding purposes. The application seeking approval for OSAP assistance will be (or has been) forwarded to the student Support Branch for review. Please check our website frequently for updates.
Program Advisory Committees
The College appoints Program Advisory Committee members for diploma, degree, certificate and apprenticeship programs. Committees are composed of employers, practitioners and recent program graduates. College representatives (students, faculty, and administrators) are resource persons. Each committee advises the Board on the development of new programs, the monitoring of existing programs and community acceptance of programs.
For a list of the current members, please visit our Program Advisory Committees.
