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Course Description

Provides an introduction to the profession of public administration with the emphasis on the local level. The relationships among principal actors involved in local governance will be examined, and students will explore the self-knowledge required for administrative practice in local administration.

This course may be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG), with final approval determined by CAPG administrators. Employers and applicants can review the CAPG guidelines and full details on the University of Albertaโ€™s Continuing Education website.

Who Should Take This Course?

Aimed at individuals interested in moving into higher level responsibilities in the local government field; our student body includes municipal government employees in planning, corporate services, economic development, operations, finance, and more.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • ๐Ÿ—ธ Analyze the key elements of the theory of professionalism.
  • ๐Ÿ—ธ Evaluate the degree to which local government administration is a profession in theory and practice.
  • ๐Ÿ—ธ Understand traditional versus New Public Management values and their practical applications in real-life work settings.
  • ๐Ÿ—ธ Analyze ethical situations and their applicability to public administration.
  • ๐Ÿ—ธ Analyze and evaluate various municipal governance structures in the context of professionalism.
  • ๐Ÿ—ธ Develop an appreciation for the professional aspects of public administration that can be used in real-life situations.

Notes
  • ๐Ÿ—ธFully online asynchronous course, accessible through CE Canvas, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool.
  • ๐Ÿ—ธParticipate in online discussions with peers from all over Canada and expand your professional network.
  • ๐Ÿ—ธA textbook is required for this course. Additional learning materials are provided through CE Canvas.
  • ๐Ÿ—ธFor those interested in pursuing the NACLAA Level I certificate, this course is recommended to be taken at the beginning of the program.
  • ๐Ÿ—ธThis is one of five core courses required for the NACLAA Level I certificate.

Recommendations

Students intending to complete a program are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to lock in their course requirements.

Applies Towards the Following Programs
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Find a Section
Section Title
Public Administration Professionalism
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Online - Asynchronous
Dates
Jan 12, 2026 to Apr 02, 2026
Contact Hours
39.0
Delivery Options
Online - Asynchronous  
Course Fee(s)
Tuition non-credit $865.00
Section Materials
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Responsible Public Servant by Kernaghan & Langford IPAC 2nd edition ISBN 9781550610000
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