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All of the undergraduate and professional development programs offered by the School of Public Administration are delivered primarily online.

Online undergraduate programs:

• Minor in Public Administration
• Minor in Indigenous Community Development and Governance

Online professional programs:

• Diploma in Local Government Management
• Diploma in Public Sector Management
• Diploma in Indigenous Community Development and Governance
• Professional certificate programs:
  • Indigenous Community Development and Governance
  • Local Government Management
  • Public Policy and Governance
  • Public Sector Management
  • Voluntary and Non-Profit Sector Management

Yes; the undergraduate professional certificate and diploma programs can be done part-time.

To apply for professional specialization certificates, you need work experience and a bachelor’s degree.

Applicants to the diploma programs need work experience. They should also have the equivalent of 2 years of post-secondary education.

You are typically eligible for diploma and professional specialization certificate programs if you meet the academic and work experience criteria.

All of our courses are 1.5 units. Part-time students pay fees per term, per credit unit. Get tuition information.

You should plan to spend about 10 to 15 hours per week on each course. Good time management skills will help you succeed. The amount of time needed for each course will depend on the topic area and your relevant past experience.

As most people study these programs part-time, they are not eligible for scholarships. If you work in local government, you should check with the  for scholarships or seek tuition reimbursement from your employer.

Other organizations such as or the may offer scholarships that can be applied to professional development programs.

UVic offers some in-course scholarships that may be GPA or application-based. Most scholarships are awarded based on recommendations made by the department. However, some may require a separate application form.

We use Brightspace to deliver our online courses. Using Brightspace, you will:

• review your course notes
• join discussion forums
• submit your assignments
• keep track of your grades
• link to online readings

For some courses, you will meet fellow students online for a seminar or discussion. Other course materials can include text notes, PowerPoint presentations, streaming audio, video or audio podcasts and online debate tools.

All methods of communication are possible within Brightspace: email, text messaging or phone.

You can ask questions as part of the weekly online dialogue that shapes most online courses. If you would like to discuss an issue privately, you can email or phone the instructor.

Typically, our online courses are based on written assignments and online participation.

It depends on the subject matter, course material and your habits and preferences. Some courses might require 8-10 hours per week, while others may require 10-15 hours per week.

In most instances, courses are delivered asynchronously, meaning that you can do the work anytime you want as long as you meet submission deadlines. Some instructors may supplement asynchronous content with optional or recorded online meetings, office hours or other supports.

There are a few courses that may require online meetings (e.g., to present group projects). These are scheduled well in advance and at a time that will be reasonable for most students.