Public Administration
In the public administration program you’ll study administration, planning and governance with a focus on these sectors:
- public
- community
- Indigenous
- volunteer
Potential careers
What can you do with a public administration degree? Here are a few jobs and fields that relate to your program:
- public sector management
- non-profit management
- policy analyst
- communications officer
- public relations
- research analyst
- program analyst
- public sector consultant
- human resources
- program management
- labour relations
- community development
Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Enrol in the Your Career Starts Here course to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the public administration program
- With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here is a professional association related to public administration:
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the public administration program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Co-op
Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience
Professional and technical skill development
ADMN 311 - Introduction to Public Administration
Develop writing and analytical skills in media and policy analysis
ADMN 312 - Managing in Public and Non-Profit Organizations
Create a leadership profile; build skills and self-awareness of management style
ADMN 316 - Written Communications in the Public and Non-Profit Sectors
Gain skills writing press releases, briefing notes, etc.
ADMN 421 - Financial Management
Gain skills in budgeting, forecasting, reporting, etc.
ADMN 431A - Public Sector Human Resource Management
Develop human resource management skills in supervision, recruitment, etc.
ADMN 437 - Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
Learn how to evaluate programs and measure performance using case studies
ADMN 477- Strategic Planning and Implementation
Draft a strategic plan for a community organization (real or simulated)
Research project
ADMN 200 - International Community Development Through Capacity Building
Publicly present an activist response to a community development issue
ADMN 423 - Local Government in British Columbia
Interview a local government official about a current issue and write a report
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the public administration program.
Communication, engagement and collaboration
- write and deliver oral presentations
- understand how social media and other channels can enhance or stifle the quality of communications
- use presentation software, graphics and other aids to convey complex or technical information
- collaborate with diverse actors and develop strategies to address differences
- address contemporary challenges with diverse citizenries and get people engaged in change
Creative leadership and management
- identify the factors (institutional, policy, program, interpersonal, cultural) in making a decision
- give clear, motivating and relevant direction
- recognize, respect and ask for different views from stakeholders and citizens
- encourage open discussion and negotiate solutions
- respect cultural differences and collaborate
- be fair, tactful and compassionate, and treat others with respect and integrity
- support a workplace that values principles of inclusion and diversity
Critical and innovative thinking
- define problems and assess their importance
- collect information and evidence, and assess its significance
- identify additional information to address a problem and understand how to carry out and commission the work
- create opportunities for diverse and innovative perspectives and problem-solving methods
- select, justify and communicate a solution or a series of options
Knowledge and strategic awareness
- advance an agenda in complex settings
- identify and understand high-priority problems and trends
- understand the four orders of government in Canada
- identify authority, power and influence and understand how they affect how things are done
- understand organizational and interpersonal cultural dynamics and how they influence agendas and decision-making
- use interpersonal and analytical skills to motivate others to achieve goals and create change
Professionalism, ethics and respect
- act with integrity, courage and care
- develop and practice self-reflection and self-learning as an interpersonal stance
- understand ethical standards
- assess policy, program and organizational decisions and situations from an ethical standpoint
- balance the interests of individuals, groups, institutions and communities
- perform at the highest standard of behaviour and codes of conduct