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View our Virtual tourCourses - September 2025
Level 1
Course details
Career Management
CDEV8132
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Communication in the Public Sector
COMM8085
- Hours: 70
- Credits: 5
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Conestoga 101
CON0101
- Hours: 1
- Credits: 0
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Public Policy
POLS8090
- Hours: 70
- Credits: 5
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Canadian Politics and Government
POLS8100
This course will explore Canadian democracy providing students with an understanding of the Canadian systems of government at the federal and provincial levels. Students will 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. The course will also examine how the civil service, interest groups, the media, and political parties contribute to the overall functioning of governments.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Introduction to Local Government
POLS8110
This course will map the development of municipal government with a focus on Ontario. Students will explore ways in which local government has evolved in changing social and political contexts, how it has responded to opportunities and challenges, and how it relates to provincial and federal levels of government.
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 2
Course details
Leadership
LEAD8070
By examining contemporary leadership models and existing organizational systems in the public service environment, students will learn about the theories and practices associated with facilitating and leading productive operational teams. Students will learn and practice conflict resolution management and negotiations skills, as well as dispute resolution approaches. With the objective of understanding what makes a high-performance team, existing or potential partnership and team-building processes will be evaluated.
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Introduction to Project Management
MGMT8300
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Public Service Capstone
POLS8125
The capstone project is an experiential learning project during the second semester of the program that enables students to practice in a group setting their skills of research, analysis, communication, project management, and evaluation. Students will model and apply the skills learned throughout the Public Service program to a specific project for a government, non-profit, or social purpose organization. Students will enhance their writing and presentation skills as well as their analytical and team building skills.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites: COMM8085
- CoRequisites: MGMT8300
Public Administration
POLS8130
In this course, students will explore theories and methods of public administration in Canada. They will develop practical skills related to the administration of government and the non-profit sector, while learning how to be a ‘reflective practitioner' within the public service.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Government Administrative Structures
POLS8140
This course delineates the structure and organization of different levels of government with emphasis on the process of developing and implementing policy. It explores intergovernmental relationships and the impact of staff and other stakeholders.
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Financial Management in Government
POLS8150
This course analyzes financial management strategies in government, with a particular focus on the ethical use of funds, budgeting, and planning 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: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 1
Course details
Communication in the Public Sector
COMM8085
- Hours: 70
- Credits: 5
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Conestoga 101
CON0101
- Hours: 1
- Credits: 0
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Public Policy
POLS8090
- Hours: 70
- Credits: 5
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Canadian Politics and Government
POLS8100
This course will explore Canadian democracy providing students with an understanding of the Canadian systems of government at the federal and provincial levels. Students will 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. The course will also examine how the civil service, interest groups, the media, and political parties contribute to the overall functioning of governments.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Introduction to Local Government
POLS8110
This course will map the development of municipal government with a focus on Ontario. Students will explore ways in which local government has evolved in changing social and political contexts, how it has responded to opportunities and challenges, and how it relates to provincial and federal levels of government.
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 2
Course details
Co-op and Career Preparation
CEPR8200
- Hours: 14
- Credits: 1
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Leadership
LEAD8070
By examining contemporary leadership models and existing organizational systems in the public service environment, students will learn about the theories and practices associated with facilitating and leading productive operational teams. Students will learn and practice conflict resolution management and negotiations skills, as well as dispute resolution approaches. With the objective of understanding what makes a high-performance team, existing or potential partnership and team-building processes will be evaluated.
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Introduction to Project Management
MGMT8300
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Public Service Capstone
POLS8125
The capstone project is an experiential learning project during the second semester of the program that enables students to practice in a group setting their skills of research, analysis, communication, project management, and evaluation. Students will model and apply the skills learned throughout the Public Service program to a specific project for a government, non-profit, or social purpose organization. Students will enhance their writing and presentation skills as well as their analytical and team building skills.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites: COMM8085
- CoRequisites: MGMT8300
Public Administration
POLS8130
In this course, students will explore theories and methods of public administration in Canada. They will develop practical skills related to the administration of government and the non-profit sector, while learning how to be a ‘reflective practitioner' within the public service.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Government Administrative Structures
POLS8140
This course delineates the structure and organization of different levels of government with emphasis on the process of developing and implementing policy. It explores intergovernmental relationships and the impact of staff and other stakeholders.
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Financial Management in Government
POLS8150
This course analyzes financial management strategies in government, with a particular focus on the ethical use of funds, budgeting, and planning 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: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 3
Course details
Co-op Work Term (Public Service)
COOP8040
- Hours: 420
- Credits: 14
- Pre-Requisites: CDEV8200 OR CEPR8200
- CoRequisites:
Program outcomes
- Analyze governmental systems and inter-governmental relations to distinguish the roles that government plays in delivering public goods and services.
- Evaluate the various human resource processes, administrative structures, and financial frameworks within the Canadian public service environment to support the governance and operations of an organization.
- Comply with and support others to work in accordance with general leadership principles, relevant professional association and industry codes of ethics, and legal obligations, protocols and policies.
- Apply oral and written communication and interpersonal skills to facility public consultations, prepare grant applications, write briefing notes, communicate with the media and present to diverse audiences.
- Use research and analytical skills to examine legislation and regulations to evaluate their impact and support organizational objectives.
- Plan and adapt the implementation of strategies and tactics to inform communication objectives, decision-making, and project management goals.
- Analyze social and cultural frameworks to ensure government services are responsive to a multicultural pluralistic Canadian society.
- Apply systems theory models to solve public sector organizational challenges
- Use current and emerging technologies to interpret data and clearly communicate findings.