To work as a financial analyst in B.C., you may choose to earn a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation. You can earn the designation by completing the CFA® Program and acceptable work experience requirements. 

Employment as a senior manager in financial, communications, and other business services may additionally require several years of related work experience. 

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

This career is eligible for Red Seal endorsement. When all levels of your trades training are complete, you can write an Interprovincial Red Seal exam. A successful result demonstrates you have met the national standard for your trade in Canada will allow you to practice your trade outside of B.C. in provinces and territories covered by the Red Seal certification.

Senior government managers and officials

To work as an administrative professional in B.C., you may choose to earn the Canadian Certified Administrative Professional designation. The designation is earned by completing the Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) program, for which you must be a member of the Association of Administrative Professionals (AAP).

Employment as an administrative services manager usually requires several years of related work experience.

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To work as an administrative professional in B.C., you may choose to earn the Certification in Health Information Management (CHIM) from the Canadian College of Health Information Management. Eligibility is achieved through completion of: an accredited program, and the CHIM examination.

Employment as an administrative services manager usually requires several years of related work experience.

To work as an administrative professional in B.C., you may choose earn certification through the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada. Eligibility is achieved through completion of the International Qualifying Program. 

Employment as an administrative services manager usually requires several years of related work experience.

Other administrative services managers

To work as an administrative officer in B.C., you may choose to earn the Canadian Certified Administrative Professional designation. The designation is earned by completing the Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) program, for which you must be a member of the Association of Administrative Professionals (AAP).

Administrative officers

Court officers

Social policy researchers and program officers

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

To practice as an immigration and citizenship consultant in B.C., you must be a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants. Eligibility is achieved through completing a recognized educational program.

Immigration consultants

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of government; and that focuses on the systematic study of executive organization and management. These programs include courses in the roles, development, and principles of public administration; the management of public policy; executive-legislative relations; public budgetary processes and financial management; administrative law; public personnel management; professional ethics; and research methods.

Public administration, general

To work as an administrative professional in B.C., you may choose to earn the Canadian Certified Administrative Professional designation. The designation is earned by completing the Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) program, for which you must be a member of the Association of Administrative Professionals (AAP).

Employment as an executive assistant may additionally require related work experience.

Executive assistants

Government managers in health policy development and program administration

Government managers in social policy development and program administration

Government managers - economic analysis, policy development and program administration

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.

If entering this career from a law background, you may need to have been admitted to the B.C. Bar. Following completion of a Juris Doctor program, articling period at law firm, and the Law Society B.C. Professional Legal Training Course, you can take the Qualification Examinations to gain admission to the B.C. Bar and begin practicing as a lawyer.

Employment as a manager in public administration may require several years of related work experience.

Other managers in public administration

To work in business development and market research in B.C., you may choose to earn an Economic Development Certification. Eligibility is achieved through work experience and successful completion of the Economic Development Association of Canada exam. 

Business development officers and market researchers and analysts

Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers

Public Administration Bachelor's Degrees

Public Administration Diplomas

Senior government managers and officials plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate, through middle managers, the major activities of municipal or regional governments or of provincial, territorial or federal departments, boards, agencies or commissions. They establish the direction to be taken by these organizations in accordance with legislation and policies made by elected representatives or legislative bodies.

Other administrative services managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate departments responsible for corporate governance and regulatory compliance, records management, security services, admissions and other administrative services. Also included in this unit group are managers responsible for departments involved in two or more of the following activities: finance, human resources, purchasing or administrative services. Managers in this unit group are employed throughout the public and private sectors.

Administrative officers oversee and implement administrative procedures, establish work priorities, conduct analyses of administrative operations and coordinate acquisition of administrative services such as office space, supplies and security services. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors. Administrative officers who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

Social Policy Researchers and Program Officers

Public Administration Certificates

The Public Administration Diploma  focuses on the management skills, rather than a policy orientation, with an emphasis on strategic planning, financial management, leadership, communication and negotiation. You will have the knowledge, skills and abilities you’ll need to enter the public administration field as a beginning practitioner. You may also complete this program through internship or co-op designations to get familiarized with the field before getting a job. Co-operative education is a learner-centered model that empowers you, the student, to direct your own learning and to make a valuable contribution in the workplace. Your learning will be guided and supported by both your employer and the School with a faculty member from your program assigned to coach, monitor, and evaluate your work term development.

Public Administration Diploma

The Local Government Administration Diploma will provide you with an in-depth understanding of local government in B.C. You'll be able to identify, analyze and recommend solutions to workplace challenges while strengthening your research, communication and management skills. Building on the Local Government Administration Certificate and Advanced Certificate, this diploma is for students wanting to combine full-time professional work with part-time studies. All courses in the program can be applied toward the Provincial Board of Examiners certificates, which are recognized by local government employers across British Columbia.

Local Government Administration Diploma

The First Nation Public Administration (FNPA) Program is comprised of both a certificate and a diploma. The FNPA diploma is ten additional courses on top of the certificate program offered through community-based delivery or semester delivery. The program offers courses for high school graduates, administrators and managers who require specific skills and education necessary for effective and responsible management in local First Nations governments and Aboriginal organizations. Course topics include: organizational design and development; human resource administration; labour relations, policy development and implementation; legislative and government structure (provincial and federal); communication; economics; housing issues; administrative law; research; ethics; financial management; information management: accounting; finite mathematics and treaty negotiations related to your field and its impacts.

First Nations Public Administration Diploma

In the Public Adminstration Diploma, you'll develop your practical knowledge in the public, community, Indigenous and volunteer sectors. You'll study administration, planning and governance. This program will allow you to gain a broad view of the public and non-profit sectors.

Educational Path

Public Administration Diplomas

Programs

Careers