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Public Administration and Governance - BA (Hons)

Public Administration and Governance

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Matthew Chisholm, acting as the minister of health, addresses other IFL participants, who serve as members of parliament.

Full-time format:
N/A

Part-time format:
First-Year Entry

Requirements: 
Grades-Only

Grade range:
 
Low 70s

Faculty:
Faculty of Arts

Experiential learning:
Practicum available

 

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Is this degree for you?

This program for public administration professionals in the public, non-profit or private sectors provides the knowledge and skills necessary to advance careers. You’ll learn how governments make decisions, how to develop, analyze and manage policies, and how the latest developments, issues and initiatives in the public sector affect society as a whole.

 Experiential learning opportunities: Practicum available

Your access to research scholars, practicum options, specialized program options for First Nations administrators, and a variety of class formats (evening classes, online distance education and hybrid delivery) will give you valuable experience and prepare you to make a difference.

 Go at your own pace:

The Public Administration and Governance degree program’s part-time availability option allows you to take courses at your own pace. You can complete as few as one to 2 courses per semester, or you can complete 3 courses or more per semester (making it full-time, OSAP eligible).

This part-time program allows you to take courses at your own pace. The following is a preview of the required courses based on the available current academic undergraduate calendar for this program.

REQUIRED:

  • PPA 101 Cdn Public Administration I: Institutions
  • PPA 102 Cdn Public Administration II: Processes
  • PPA 125 Rights, Equity and the State

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Two courses from the following:

  • PPA 120 Canadian Politics and Government
  • PPA 121 Ontario Politics and Government
  • PPA 122 Local Politics and Government
  • PPA 124 Indigenous Politics and Governance

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

OPEN ELECTIVE: Two  Open Electives

Career possibilities:

  • Business development specialist
  • Campaign manager
  • Communications consultant
  • Legislative aid
  • Policy analyst

Employer possibilities:

  • Government of Ontario
  • Law Society of Ontario
  • United Nations (UN)
  • Universities Canada 
  • World Bank

Further education:

  • Law
  • Public Policy and Administration (MA) 
  • Social sciences

Visit graduate and postdoctoral studies.

Community, growth and achievement — recent grad reflects on the undergraduate experience

Public Administration and Governance alum, Nikki van Oirschot, received the 2023 TMU Gold Medal for the Faculty of Arts. The university’s highest academic honour, it’s awarded to one student from each faculty in recognition of their academic excellence and community involvement. 

Read more: Meet TMU Gold Medal Award winner, Nikki van Oirschot

Photo by Alyssa K. Faoro

Nikki van Oirschot, in a blue graduation robe, is presented with the TMU Gold Medal Award by TMU president, Dr. Mohamed Lachemi.

Requirements

This is a Grades-Only program. Admission decisions for Grades-Only programs are based on academic performance.

Academic requirements part-time: First-year Entry

To be considered for admission, Ontario high school students must meet the following requirements:

  • Completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
  • Completion of 6 Grade 12 U or M courses with a minimum overall average of 70%
  • Completion of the following required Grade 12 U course with a minimum grade of 70%:
  • English/anglais (ENG4U/EAE4U preferred) 

Note: Applicants will also be considered for admission under TMU's mature student guidelines.

An overall average of 70% is required for consideration. Due to competition, the average needed for admission can fluctuate each year (it depends on the number of applications received and the number of spaces available). The grade range at the top of this page represents the average required in previous years.

Academic admission requirements for all other applicants are available on the admission requirements page. If you haven’t been educated in Ontario, you may be considered with the equivalent of the Ontario requirements. TMU reserves the right to determine equivalency at its sole discretion.



Thinking of applying?

Make sure the program is still accepting applications.
The Kerr Hall Quad in the summer time.

Fees and funding

Tuition and fees range 2025-2026

For detailed fees info, visit tuition and fees by program and costs to expect.

Part-time format:

(One to 8 or more courses)
Ontario: $1,005 - $5,427
Out-of-province: $1,159 - $6,659
International: $3,879 - $28,419



Over $20M across all levels of study

We award more than $20M in awards, scholarships and bursaries throughout all years of study. 
Find scholarships for you.
 

Explore financial assistance

Learn more about government financial aid programs like OSAP, out-of-province student loans and U.S. student loans.
Apply for financial assistance.
 


“The program offered a deep dive into understanding how governments make decisions, how to develop, analyze and manage policies, and the impact of the latest developments, issues and initiatives in the public sector on society.”

- Syed Naqvi, Public Administration and Governance, Class of 2024


Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts programs combine a liberal arts education with something unique: Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)'s brand of relevant, practical learning that's designed to make you a well-rounded, informed human being who is also highly employable

Faculty of Arts degree programs




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Disclaimer: 

While every effort is made to ensure accuracy on this site, in the event of a discrepancy, TMU's current Undergraduate Calendar is the official reference.

Notes:

*Updated November 2025: This program was formerly known as Environment and Urban Sustainability.