Graduate Diploma in Public Administration

Alternative to the MPA, the Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (GDPA) is a one-year program designed for those with experience in the public sector who wish to better understand key principles and concepts of the profession and further develop a specific skill set.

The program combines the essential components of financial, economic and policy analysis with organization and management theory. Students will also complete several quantitative-based courses.

Required Courses

• PUAD 5100.03 F - Government Structure and Organization
• PUAD 5120.03 F - Introduction to Public Policy
• PUAD 5130.03 F - Applied Economics I or PUAD 5131.03 W - Applied Economics II
• PUAD 5140.03 F Quantitative Methods I or PUAD 5180.03 W - Research Methods and Analysis
• PUAD 5170.03 W - Human Resource Management
• PUAD 5250.03 W - Strategic Financial Management

Electives

Select three additional graduate-level, three-credit elective courses from the PUAD series. Electives can include:

• PUAD 5130 
• PUAD 5131
• PUAD 5140
• PUAD 5180
• Any of the PUAD 6XXX courses currently offered through the MPA program (e.g., PUAD 6050, 6235, 6300, 6400, 6420, 6450, 6500, 6505, 6520, 6525, 6537, 6540, 6555, 6556, 6560, 6570, 6625, 6630, 6750, 6780, 6800, 6855, 6900)
• One of the electives can be a non-PUAD graduate-level course.

Notes

• "F" indicates courses offered in the fall term.
• "W" indicates courses offered in the winter term
• A student who can demonstrate competence in the subject matter of a required course may alternatively choose an elective with the permission of the Program Manager.

Transferring to the MPA program

You have the option of transferring to the two-year MPA program during your studies.