Graduate Diploma Public Management and Governance

The program is under review. Therefore, we will not admit students until further notice.

The primary aim of the graduate diploma is to provide students with both a strong conceptual foundation for understanding and analyzing problems of governance and an effective tool-kit of skills and techniques required to operate in an increasingly complex managerial and organizational environment.

Governance is about effective coordination and decision-making in a world where knowledge and power are increasingly distributed. In this perspective, governance challenges are increasingly important to public, private and civic organizations both within such organizations and across them.

This program was created for students who wish to increase their skills and knowledge in public management by adding an interdisciplinary dimension via courses from the Telfer School of Management and the School of Political Studies.

The program is under review. Therefore, we will not admit students until further notice.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

Candidates must meet the normal requirements for admission in a master's level program at the University of Ottawa (namely, an honour's baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, with at least second class standing from a recognized post-secondary institution). Advanced standing for up to 4.5 units will be given to qualified students in recognition of comparable studies as determined by the Program Committee. To be eligible, the units in question must not have counted towards the requirements of a previously conferred diploma or degree.

Candidates are required to submit a resume as well as a narrative statement. In the narrative statement, we recommend that they identify and explain the reasons why this program is of interest to them, and highlight elements of their current or past professional experience (paid or voluntary) that may have given them some insights or sparked interest in public management and/or governance. The candidates may also wish to identify what they hope to gain from the diploma in terms of learning and/or endeavors that they believe the diploma will better position them to undertake. The statement should be between 300 and 500 words in length.

A maximum of three units in equivalencies or advanced standing may be granted. Candidates who have already successfully completed some of the compulsory units may be allowed to replace those units with elective units. For details, consult section B.2.7. of the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Transfer from Graduate Diploma to Master’s

Students enrolled in the graduate diploma program can request to transfer to the Master of Arts (MA) in public administration in accordance with section A.7.1 of the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in either English or French is required. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other. The list of acceptable proofs is indicated in the “Admission” section of the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.