Public Service (Optional Co-op)

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Courses - September 2025

Level 1

Course details

Communication in the Public Sector
COMM8085

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, the preparation of briefing notes, reports to committees or councils, meeting minutes, media releases, Question and Answer documents for senior managers or political leaders, and grant applications.
  • Hours: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
  • Hours: 1
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Public Policy
POLS8090

Description: This course will introduce the policy cycle by examining agenda-setting, policy formulation, government decision-making, policy implementation, and the evaluation of policies. These theoretical lessons will create an understanding of how the public policy process operates and, thereby, how to influence policy decisions. The complex relationships that exist both between politicians and public servants as well as between the public sector and the private sector will be discussed. Students will also practice consultation methods and develop policy recommendations.
  • Hours: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Canadian Politics and Government
POLS8100

Description:

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

Description:

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

Description: This series of modules will prepare graduate certificate students for job searching for their co-op work terms with the guidance of a Co-op Advisor. Students will familiarize themselves with the co-operative education policies and procedures and will learn the expectations, rules, and regulations that apply in the workplace regarding social, organizational, ethical, and safety issues while deepening their awareness of self- reflective practices. Students will critically reflect on their skills, attitudes, and expectations and evaluate available opportunities in the workplace. Successful completion of these modules is a requirement for co-op eligibility.
  • Hours: 14
  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Leadership
LEAD8070

Description:

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

Description: This course provides the practical knowledge to prepare for starting and completing a project successfully. It will cover the components and tasks related to complex projects that often involve multiple functional teams and departments. You will explore how the knowledge areas of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) are applied during each phase of a project's life cycle as well as the processes related to successful project management. An overview of status reporting and the use of MS Project will be covered. This knowledge will help establish priorities and effectively manage your projects. It will be of particular interest to those students who have a long-term goal of attaining the Project Management Professional (PMP)® designation certified by the Project Management Institute.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Public Service Capstone
POLS8125

Description:

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

Description:

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

Description:

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

Description:

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

Description: This co-op work term will provide students with college-approved work experience in an authentic, professionally relevant work environment. Students will be provided the opportunity to connect theory and practice by leveraging their academic knowledge to develop specialized vocational skills. The practical applications of this work term will promote students’ awareness of key concepts and terminology in their field, improve their competencies in problem-solving and decision-making, further their application of professional judgement, hone their leadership skills (independently or as part of team), and enhance their capacity to critically analyze and reflect on their demonstrated abilities in the workplace.
  • Hours: 420
  • Credits: 14
  • Pre-Requisites: CDEV8200 OR CEPR8200
  • CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

  1. Analyze governmental systems and inter-governmental relations to distinguish the roles that government plays in delivering public goods and services.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Use research and analytical skills to examine legislation and regulations to evaluate their impact and support organizational objectives.
  6. Plan and adapt the implementation of strategies and tactics to inform communication objectives, decision-making, and project management goals.
  7. Analyze social and cultural frameworks to ensure government services are responsive to a multicultural pluralistic Canadian society.
  8. Apply systems theory models to solve public sector organizational challenges
  9. Use current and emerging technologies to interpret data and clearly communicate findings.