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Municipal Government (Graduate Field)

Launching Fall 2024 - Markham Campus

The public health and economic crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic highlights that municipal (local and regional) governments, related boards and agencies, and non-profit organizations are at the forefront of not only service delivery but also responsiveness to community needs and accountability. The addition of the Municipal Government field to the MPPAL program will make the program more relevant to municipal employees. This course equips students with a thorough understanding of local and regional government in Canada, along with the research skills to critically investigate and evaluate municipal government policy, process, and management.

Quick Links

Thinking about applying to the MPPAL program? Join us at one of the following Information Sessions to have all of your questions answered by a panel of faculty, alumni, and current students:

Markham Campus, York University: Monday, October 28, 2024 at 6:00 pm | Register

Downtown Toronto, Vantage Venue: Monday, November 4, 2024 at 6:00 pm | Register

Keele Campus, York University: Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 1:00 pm | Register

Core Modules

   Public Management and Finance

   Law, Administration, and Ethics

   Public Policy and Analysis

MPPAL Research @ York

Our Goals
  • Allow students to explore relevant topics in municipal governance in more depth;
  • Better communicate our collective strengths to the sector and prospective MPPAL recruits at a time when municipal governments are at the forefront for service delivery, innovation, and responsiveness to community needs for enhancing good governance and social justice, equity, and decolonization priorities.
Course Learning Outcomes
  • Understanding the environment in which local government operates;
  • Developing a critical understanding of municipal policy, processes, and governance;
  • Showing familiarity with the interplay of municipal, regional, provincial, and federal governments;
  • Creating evidence-based public policy decisions;
  • Working collaboratively with colleagues.

As a MPPAL student who just completed the first year, I am so excited to see the launch of the Municipal Government MPPAL program. As a senior leader in municipal government, I am keenly aware of the increasing complexities municipalities are facing and the growing expectations of residents. The MPPAL program provides a firm foundation in which to expand your knowledge, strengthen your analytical and research skills and grow your network. This dynamic program will position you to excel in municipal government and serve as a rewarding investment in your learning journey and future career path.

— Sarah Klein
MPPAL student

Sarah Klein

Municipalities of the Future Symposium

Municipalities are at the forefront of service delivery to meet the diverse and ever-changing community needs in the face of fast-paced economic and social changes, as well as technological and environmental disruptions. Our annual Municipalities of the Future Symposium was created to provide a forum for professionals in the sector to discuss these challenges and innovative solutions and to build cross-sector partnerships. Non-profit, community, academic, and private sector organizations have been active participants in this event, and our symposium serves as a model of stakeholder engagement for finding interdisciplinary solutions to complex policy and managerial problems, and for advancing diverse communities with equity.

Photo of SPPA Symposium

Learn More

The Graduate Program in Public Policy, Administration and Law at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.