National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration Level I

Program Description

This is a long-run­ning and award-win­ning pro­gram that con­sists of two ful­ly online cer­tifi­cates: NACLAA Lev­el I and NACLAA Lev­el II (pri­mar­i­ly designed for munic­i­pal admin­is­tra­tors hold­ing or aspir­ing to high­er-lev­el positions).

Cours­es in both cer­tifi­cates focus on con­cepts, struc­tures, and process­es that define local gov­ern­ment admin­is­tra­tion. Stu­dents are pro­vid­ed with the the­o­ret­i­cal and prac­ti­cal knowl­edge that is essen­tial for suc­cess work­ing in local author­i­ty admin­is­tra­tion. Our instruc­tors are aca­d­e­mics and prac­ti­tion­ers from across the coun­try who are experts in their field.

Is This Program Right For You?

The NACLAA Lev­el I pro­gram is suit­ed for entry to medi­um-lev­el munic­i­pal admin­is­tra­tors who are inter­est­ed in pro­fes­sion­al devel­op­ment and career advance­ment. Indi­vid­u­als who are explor­ing career options in local gov­ern­ment or tran­si­tion­ing into the field would also find this pro­gram advantageous.

Testimonials

• “NACLAA is a well-round­ed pro­gram that shows you the rela­tion­ship between all lev­els of gov­ern­ment and how they col­lab­o­rate to devel­op a community.” Local Authority Administration (NACLAA I) Certificate student
• “The pro­gram gave me new insight into how inter­con­nect­ed every­thing is in the munic­i­pal world, how it all works together.” Local Authority Administration (NACLAA I) Certificate student
• “The instruc­tors are excel­lent. This is a great pro­gram for munic­i­pal gov­ern­ment leaders.” Local Authority Administration (NACLAA I) Certificate student

Learning Objectives

• Gain a broader understanding and explore theories of the local government structure and its policies and procedures.
• Identify and analyze community issues relevant to Canadian municipalities.
• Build knowledge and enhance skills in critical areas such as finance, leadership, municipal law, sustainability, and public administration.
• Network with municipal administrators from across the country, sharing experiences and ideas either online or in person.
• CLGM designation accreditation opportunity.

What will I receive?

Upon completion of all program requirements, you will receive a Certificate in Local Authority Administration, Level I.

Cost

• The approximate cost of this Certificate is $6,360 CAD
• Course Fees are typically $795 CAD
• Pay as you go - students pay on a course-by-course basis as they register. You do not need to pay the entire program fee at once.
• An application fee of $100 CAD is required for admis­sion into the program.
• Cours­e fees are GST-exempt.
• Consider applying for the Cana­da-Alber­ta Job Grant.
• Some courses may require additional resources such as textbooks. This information can be found in the course section details.

Program Details

• This program is comprised of five core courses and 117 hours of electives. Each course is 39 hours in length, for a total of 312 instructional hours.
• This program is designed for part-time study and can generally be completed within two to three years.
• Local Government and Public Administration Professionalism are recommended as the first courses in NACLAA Level I. There is no recommended order for the remaining courses. Electives can be taken at any time throughout the program, provided that their prerequisites are met.
• Courses are graded with assessments. This might include quizzes, exams, discussion forums, papers, and presentations.
• Courses are typically offered online asynchronously. Please check the course section for details. Further details on delivery formats can be found here.
• Course materials are shared in eClass. Some courses may require additional resources, such as textbooks. This information can be found in the course section details.

Your Instructors

• Our instructors are not just educators; they are industry experts, adult learning specialists, and professionals deeply connected to the pulse of their respective fields. 

How to Apply

• We are open to stu­dents with a variety of educational and professional back­grounds. Our expec­ta­tion is that you have a com­mit­ment to learn and achieve your con­tin­u­ing edu­ca­tion goals. It is recommended students have prior knowledge and/or work experience in the related field.
• To apply, download the Application for Program Admission.
• The admission fee is $100
• Individual courses are open for general studies and may be completed without being admitted into a program.
• Programs change occasionally, so we recommend applying for admission early. Once admitted, your requirements to complete the program are locked in. You can be confident that completed and eligible courses will continue to apply to your program.

How to Apply for your Credential

• Students can verify their program requirements and progress by logging into the University of Alberta’s student portal, Bear Tracks, to view their Academic Requirements.
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 is required to graduate.
• To qualify for program completion, you must submit a request to obtain your credential.
• For a breakdown of details and how to qualify, visit the program completion page.
• Upon completing this credential, you are eligible to become a University of Alberta Associate Alumni .

Transferability and Professional Designations

• Stu­dents who hold the Cer­tifi­cate in Man­i­to­ba Munic­i­pal Admin­is­tra­tion (CMMA) or the Uni­ver­si­ty of Regina’s Cer­tifi­cate in Local Gov­ern­ment Author­i­ty (CLGA) may receive trans­fer cred­its toward the NACLAA Lev­el I certificate.
• Com­ple­tion of both NACLAA pro­grams (Lev­el I and Lev­el II) ful­fills the edu­ca­tion­al require­ments for the Cer­ti­fied Local Gov­ern­ment Man­ag­er (CLGM) des­ig­na­tion in Alberta. 
  • The CLGM is con­ferred by the Soci­ety of Local Gov­ern­ment Man­agers (SLGM), the pro­fes­sion­al orga­ni­za­tion that reg­u­lates the prac­tices of local gov­ern­ment man­agers and ensures its mem­bers act in the local government’s best pos­si­ble interest.
  • Con­sult with the SLGM pri­or to enrolling in any of our elec­tive cours­es to make sure that they meet the require­ments for the CLGM pro­fes­sion­al des­ig­na­tion. For exam­ple, note that our EXL­DR elec­tive cours­es do not meet the cur­rent course require­ments for the CLGM designation. 
• To learn about transferability from other institutions, see our Transfer Credit information

Explore Funding and Scholarship Opportunities

International Students

• International Students are welcome to enroll in our courses, with the only requirement being a stable internet connection. There are no differential course fees for international students completing courses in this program.
• Students are responsible for ensuring that they are proficient in English so that they can fully participate in classes.
• Please note that non-credit programming does not qualify for a study permit, therefore this program cannot be used for immigration to Canada. Foreign nationals authorized to work in Canada who are prohibited from engaging in studies as a condition of their work permit are allowed to engage in distance learning courses. For more information please contact University of Alberta International Student Services.

Student Services and Policies

Further information can be found on withdrawals, refunds+ transfers, assessment + grading, and program admission.

Support Services

• Student Service Centre - for payment and registration inquiries
• Program Office - for course/program inquiries and the Canada Alberta Job Grant
• eClass support
• IT assistance
• Learning remotely 

Contact us

naclaa@ualberta.ca