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Certificate in Local Government Administration (Advanced)

Credential
Certificate

Duration
2 year(s)

Talk to a student recruitment advisor
Apply Now

Faculty
Global & Community Studies

School
School of Public Administration

Build a career as a leader and change agent in local governments including municipalities, regional districts, First Nations governments, improvement districts and related agencies throughout B.C.

Building on the Local Government Administration Certificate, this multi-disciplinary certificate will help advance your career by improving your understanding of current local government issues.

You'll receive substantive training in public policy development and corporate administration, while also improving your research, communication and management skills.

CapU also has a partnership with the Local Government Management Association of BC and is able to offer a select number of MATI® (Municipal Administration Training Institute) courses. Check the MATI Courses page for information about current offerings. 

You can also apply the courses in this program toward BC Provincial Board of Examiners certificates.

North Vancouver City Council chambers.

Training for government professionals

School of Public Administration (PADM) programs are developed for people working for a municipality, regional district, First Nations government, improvement district or supporting agency.

Industry partners

Our programs are developed with input from several partner organizations, including:

  • Local Government Management Association of BC
  • BC Provincial Board of Examiners
  • Municipal Finance Authority of BC
  • CivicInfo BC

Upgrade your skills to boost your career

This 45-credit advanced certificate has seven required courses, six are from the PADM umbrella and an English or communications course. 

To round out your certificate, you'll choose electives, with two required PADM courses and your choice of 18 additional credits, with options in business, humanities, science, social science and more. You can also take additional PADM electives. 

PADM courses offered varies by term. Visit the School of Public Administration page for the current list. 

Related links

Request more info

Learn about your program of interest as well as admissions requirements, upcoming events, workshops and campus tours.

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Contact us

For more information about the Local Government Administration programs at CapU, contact us today.

Get in Touch

Information sessions

Plan ahead with this calendar of important program information sessions and open houses.

Upcoming info sessions

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Apply Now to CapU

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Intakes

Fall 2023

Location
Off Campus

Course load
Part-time

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 4, 2022 – Dec 5, 2023

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 4, 2023

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 21, 2023

Spring 2024

Location
Off Campus

Course load
Part-time

Important dates

Applications open

Feb 7, 2023 – Apr 30, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Nov 14, 2023

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Dec 18, 2023

Summer 2024

Location
Off Campus

Course load
Part-time

Important dates

Applications open

Jun 6, 2023 – Jul 2, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Mar 4, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Apr 22, 2024

Fall 2024

Location
Off Campus

Course load
Part-time

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 3, 2023 – Dec 3, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 2, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 19, 2024

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Review this program's admission requirements

First-time applicants submit your application on EducationPlannerBC

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 Courses & Program Information

Submit your official transcripts

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Birch Building, Room BR230
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official university or college transcripts

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Birch Building, Room BR230
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

New Students

Review this program's admission requirements

Learn about CapU's admission requirements and submit your application

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.
Funding for International Students

Submit your official transcripts

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official high school, university, or college transcripts

Students must submit official high school and university or college transcripts for admission.

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing high school, university, or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Receive letter of offer

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

  • You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

Receive letter of acceptance and apply for a study permit

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

  • Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
Permits & Visas

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
Info for Admitted International Students

Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 Courses & Program Information

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $9,065 $1,746 $10,811
Year 2 $2,157 $1,011 $3,168
Total $11,222 $2,757 $13,979
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $24,071 $1,746 $25,817
Year 2 $9,660 $1,011 $10,671
Total $33,731 $2,757 $36,488

Tuition & Fees Estimator

Get a detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees for your program.

Calculate my fees

Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

See if I qualify

Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

Take me to the awards

On this page

Required Courses

Required Courses

Total credits: 21.00

Required:
PADM 200Local Government Administration in BC3.00 credits
PADM 201Local Government Services in BC3.00 credits
PADM 202Municipal Finance in BC3.00 credits
PADM 203Municipal Law in BC3.00 credits
PADM 209Fundamentals of Local Government Corporate Administration3.00 credits
PADM 305Problem Solving and Decision Making Skills: Policy Analysis for Local Government Professionals3.00 credits
ENGL or CMNS 100-level or higher3.00 credits

 

Elective Courses

Total credits: 24.00

Choose 6.00 credits from the following list:
PADM 204Leadership in Local Government Organizations3.00 credits
PADM 205Advanced Communication Skills - Local Government Professionals3.00 credits
PADM 207Managing People in Local Government Organizations3.00 credits
PADM 208Community Planning for Non-Planners: Planning Skills for Local Government Professionals3.00 credits
PADM 210Management Fundamentals for Local Government Professionals3.00 credits
PADM 306Project Management Skills for Local Government Professionals3.00 credits
PADM 307Ethics and the Responsible Local Government Professional3.00 credits
PADM 308The Successful CAO - Local Govt Advanced Management3.00 credits
Choose 18.00 credits of electives:
Business or Commerce credits (including Accounting, General Management, Marketing, Human Resources Management, International Business, Applied Business Technology)
Humanities credits (including English, Communications, Foreign Languages, History, Linguistics, Philosophy, Technical Writing)
Other Public Administration credits (including Public Management, Local Government Law, Strategic Planning, Project Management, Program Evaluation, Performance Management, Leading and Managing in the Non-Profit Sector, Ethics, Economic Development, Corporate Administration, First Nations - Local Government Relations)
Science/Applied Science credits (including Architecture, Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science, Engineering, Geography, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Math, Physics, Human Kinetics, Kinesiology)
Social Science credits (including Anthropology, Criminology, Economics, Geography, Law, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Women's and Gender Studies, Community Planning)

Total program credits: 45.00

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge related to the four local government core areas: administration, services, finance and law.
  • Employ basic research methods and demonstrate critical analysis skills for written reports on local government issues.
  • Prepare and demonstrate competency in delivery of oral presentations.
  • Demonstrate interpersonal skills, including leadership and conflict resolution, to deal with interpersonal and team situations.
  • Integrate public interest and global perspectives into projects, situation analysis and decision making.

How to Declare

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar.

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

School of Public Administration
604 990 7976
Cedar Building, room 324
localgovernment@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Birch Building, room BR230

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca

Related Programs

Local Government Administration Certificate

Local Government Administration Diploma

Local Government Leadership Development Certificate

Bachelor of Business Administration Degree