Course description
The four core courses provide 12 of the 15 credits required for the Certificate in Local Government Administration. To graduate, students will have to complete one additional three-credit post secondary course (such as a MATI program or PADM 209)
PADM 200 Local Government Administration in BC
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
This course will include discussion of the structures and administration of local governments, as well as current issues in local governance. Topics include: the history and purposes of local government; how local governments are organized and administered; their powers and limitations; issues of sustainability; relations with aboriginal government; and issues of public participation such as interest group lobbying and public consultation.
Note: This course is taught over three weekends.
PADM 201 Local Government Services in BC
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
This course will examine the service that municipalities provide to their citizens in British Columbia. Services to be discussed include: public works, protective services, including fire and police, regulatory services, water and sewer services, refuse collection and solid waste disposal, recreation and cultural services and environmental protection services.
Note: This course is taught over three weekends.
PADM 202 Municipal Finance in BC
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
This course will examine the practices and issues of municipal finance in British Columbia and will include discussion of the Municipal Act as it pertains to financial administration; the role of provincial government in financial administration, the role of the Municipal Finance Authority; the finance function at the Municipal/Regional levels; accounting and financial controls in Municipalities and Regional Districts; the financial planning process including short term budgets and long term financial planning; financing options; general accounting/treasury functions; assessment, taxation, collection.
Note: This course is taught over three weekends.
PADM 203 Municipal Law in BC
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
This course focuses on legal principles pertaining to municipal government and regional governments, with particular emphasis on its status, functions, and legal powers and constraints. It will also introduce the principles of administrative law, how legislation is created, and the powers and duties of administrative agencies. Topics covered will include municipal liability, municipal planning law, municipal council and staff legal issues, legislative drafting, basic principles of administrative and constitutional law, and principles of administrative law.
Note: This course is taught over three weekends.
PADM 204 Leadership in Local Government Organizations
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
This course provides participants with new information and new research in the field of leadership studies. The format provides many opportunities to learn and practice skills required for effective leaders, the opportunity to learn directly with and from some of the most outstanding leaders in local government in BC, and includes time to look at specific issues faced by individual participants. The course blends theory and practice, with an emphasis on discussion and interaction and participant involvement through role playing and case studies.
PADM 205 Advanced Communication Skills - Local Government Professionals
3.00 credits (0,0,60) hrs 01 wks
The goal of the course is to have British Columbia local government professionals participate in communication skill-based training that will strengthen their individual and team performances. It is believed that managing change, collaborating and navigating difficult conversations are essential communications competencies that effective local government professionals must demonstrate daily. This course will assist participants to become more effective in these areas through interactive sessions on resolving conflict, council-staff relations, communicating with diverse populations, negotiating skills, and coaching skills.
PADM 206 Transforming Communities through Tourism
3.00 credits (0,0,60) hrs 01 wks
The goal of this course is to strengthen participants' ability to assist their communities to identify and pursue new opportunities for stimulating sustainable economic growth and job creation in their regions. Through interactive seminars with local government leaders and academics specializing in community economic development, participants will learn approaches and skills which will make them more effective in leading community economic processes. Many B.C. communities are facing challenging and difficult times as traditional industries are weakened or closed. This course is designed to address many of the issues required to make successful transitions to community economic stability based on new sources of revenue and new partnerships.
PADM 207 Managing People in Local Government Organizations
3.00 credits (0,0,60) hrs 01 wks
This course focuses on organizational success in local government and provides students with the skills and knowledge to carry out their responsibilities as supervisors and managers in British Columbia local governments more effectively.
PADM 208 Community Planning for Non-Planners: Planning Skills for Local Government Professionals
3.00 credits (60,0,0) hrs 01 wks
The goal of the course is to have British Columbia local government professionals participate in community planning skill-based training. This training will assist students to become more knowledgeable and more effective as they carry out and manage the various local government land use planning and development functions they encounter, and for which they are responsible.
PADM 209 Fundamentals of Local Government Corporate Administration
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
The goal of this course is to provide local government professionals with the skills and knowledge that will assist them to more effectively carry out their responsibilities as members of the department of the City Clerk/Corporate officer, and to prepare them for more senior leadership roles in their local government organizations.
