Our Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) program has many mature students. Whether you are considering a change in career direction or already working in the public or non-profit sectors, our BPA program has a strong-track record of providing a competitive edge. It is therefore common to see students who are completing the BPA as a second degree, or as a pathway to an Honours degree, which is typically required for graduate studies, including our Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law (MPPAL) program.
The BPA program provides hands-on learning and professional development to those with minimal work experience, while also providing a significant upgrade in skills and knowledge for those already working in the broader public sector to be able to take their careers to the next level. To name a few examples, we have social workers, firefighters, border services agents and even public sector and non-profit managers.
If you have already begun a degree at another post-secondary institution, you may be eligible to transfer. For more information on transfer credits, visit the Office of Admissions website.
There is a specific transfer credit pathway from the following Seneca College programs:
- Social Service Worker – Gerontology
- Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees (Accelerated)
- Social Service Worker
Graduates with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (B or 70%) will be eligible for admission consideration and granted 45 transfer credits (the equivalent of a year and a half of studies). Graduates must apply directly to York University.
For admission to the BPA degree, students must present one high school 4U math course or equivalent. If you do not have a 4U math course from high school, you can easily complete one online for an affordable fee. For example, Mathematics for Data Management (MDM4U) or Advanced Functions (MHF4U) are available for only $40 through Ontario’s Independent Learning Centre.
Alternatively, you can complete Advanced Functions (MTH196) or Statistics 1 (MTH197) courses at Seneca College.
If you already have an Honours Bachelor’s degree and work experience in the public sector, but you are looking to update your credentials or boost your GPA for graduate studies, you may also consider our Professional Certificates in Public Policy Analysis, or Public Administration and Law.
Learn more about our Professional Certificate options.