Municipal Administration Program (MAP)
For over 60 years, MAP has been providing the foundation that municipal professionals need to cope with the challenges and complexities of the rapidly evolving municipal environment. This program consists of four units and is a stand-alone certificate program. Successful completion of the four units within a three-year timeline is one of the four elements of AMCTO's Diploma in Municipal Administration (DMA). MAP is also one pre-requisite for applying for AMCTO's Accreditation Programs (CMO or AMP).
It is recommended that you take one unit at a time, but we leave the decision to you. You are the best person to determine if you can commit to more than one unit at the same time.
Program Format
MAP is available in two formats:
- Correspondence Format: In this format, you are required to read the textbook, submit assignments and participate in graded discussion forum activities, which will take place through discussions boards in AMCTO Connect online learning platform. This format does not require you to join a meeting, web conference, or call at a specific time but rather you work at your own pace according to a given schedule, to accomplish the assignments and discussion forums. You will be assigned to a marker who will grade your submissions. If you have questions the marker can answer them, but there is no live lecture or instruction. Instead, all activities and communication are performed via AMCTO Connect.
- Zoom Format: In this format, you are also required to read the textbook and submit assignments according to a given schedule, through the online learning platform AMCTO Connect. However in this format, you will be assigned to an instructor, who will deliver a series of live classes through Zoom so you are also required to attend the classes at the scheduled times. Assignment due dates are usually in between the classes.
- Please note: A new version of MAP Units 1 & 2 were introduced during the Fall 2022 and the new versions of MAP Units 3 & 4 will be introduced in the Winter 2023. There is no longer an exam at the end of each unit. The exam has been replaced by a final assignment. Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.
Correspondence Format Tuition Fees
$435.05 ($385.00 + $50.05 HST) for each unit.
All course materials including the textbook are provided through online access. If you would like a hard copy of the textbook, an additional $40 fee applies and the total will be $480.25 ($385.00 + $40.00 + $55.25 HST). Hard copy textbooks are shipped after registration closes.
Correspondence Course Refund Policy: A student who cancels from any Unit before the first scheduled assignment due date is entitled to a partial refund of fees less a refund levy of $113.00 ($100.00 + $13.00 HST). In order to receive the partial refund, you must submit written notice of your cancellation to Education Department. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received after the first scheduled assignment due date. A student cannot transfer their registration or payment to a later date. No returns accepted or no refunds for the hard copy textbook.
Zoom Format Tuition Fees
$536.75 ($475.00 + $61.75 HST) for each unit.
All course materials are provided through online access. If you would like a hard copy of the textbook, an additional $40 fee applies and the total will be $581.95 ($475.00 + $40.00 + $66.95 HST). Hard copy textbooks are shipped after registration closes.
Zoom Format Refund Policy: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing to Education Department. A refund levy of $113.00 per unit ($100.00 + $13.00 HST) will be applied to all cancellations received up to fourteen (14) business days prior to event date. Refunds are not granted for cancellations made within thirteen (13) days or less of the event date. A student cannot transfer their registration or payment to a later date. No returns accepted or no refunds for the hard copy textbook.
Unit Descriptions & Registration for Correspondence Format
MAP Unit 1 - Introduction to Local Government
Unit 1 traces the historical evolution of local government in Ontario, its adaptations to the pressures of growth and change, and the complex inter-governmental and international world in which local governments operate. You will gain insight into the challenges and opportunities that shaped their evolution since Confederation and how these have set the stage for today’s municipal governments.
Registration was extended to January 13 but is now closed for the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 for the Fall 2023 term and details will be posted by the end of June.
MAP Unit 2 - Municipal Administrative Structure
Unit 2 focuses on the internal structure and organization of local government in Ontario, the ever-challenging relations between councillors and staff, and the municipal policy-making process. It concludes with an introduction to the nature of municipal management that sets the tone for the remaining two units of the program.
Registration was extended to January 13 but is now closed for the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 for the Fall 2023 term and details will be posted by the end of June.
MAP Unit 3 - Municipal Financial Management
Unit 3 examines financial management in local government. It explains the general features of municipal accounting and the changing nature of municipal financial reporting requirements in Ontario. The unit includes topics such as accountability for public funds, tax and non-tax revenue sources, operating and capital expenditures, and asset management.
Registration was extended to January 13 but is now closed for the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 for the Fall 2023 term and details will be posted by the end of June.
MAP Unit 4 - Management in the Municipality
Unit 4 provides a multi-faceted view of how municipalities can operate strategically to serve their communities and address unfolding challenges. It introduces management concepts and issues that are particular to the Ontario municipal environment, as well as an overview of tools, practices, processes, and legislation across different aspects of managing municipal operations.
Registration was extended to January 13 but is now closed for the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 for the Fall 2023 term and details will be posted by the end of June.
MAP Unit 1 - Introduction to Local Government (5 days)
Registration is closed - The zoom format has reached capacity for MAP Unit 1. Next offering of the zoom format will be duirng the Winter 2024 term. There is no waiting list.
Dates for MAP Unit 1 Zoom classes: Each day is from 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am.
February 7, 21, March 7, 21 & April 4
Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.
Instructor for all four units of MAP: Patricia (Patty) Sinnamon, Dipl.M.M. has over 15 years experience as a Municipal CAO/Clerk. Please click here to see Patty's full BIO.
MAP Unit 2 - Municipal Administrative Structure (4 days)
Registration is closed - The zoom format has reached capacity for MAP Unit 2. Next offering of the zoom format will be duirng the Winter 2024 term. There is no waiting list.
Dates for MAP Unit 2 Zoom classes: Each day is from 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am.
April 25, May 9, 23 & June 6
Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.
Instructor for all four units of MAP: Patricia (Patty) Sinnamon, Dipl.M.M. has over 15 years experience as a Municipal CAO/Clerk. Please click here to see Patty's full BIO.
MAP Unit 3 - Municipal Financial Management (5 days)
Next offering of the zoom format will be during the Fall 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 and details will be available at that time. There is no waiting list.
MAP Unit 4 - Management in the Municipality (5 days)
Next offering of the zoom format will be during the Fall 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 and details will be available at that time. There is no waiting list.
Challenging a MAP Unit
Applicants must have a minimum of five-years related municipal experience in a senior supervisory role to receive approval to challenge any unit of MAP. Challenging any unit of MAP is an opportunity to receive credit for a specific MAP Unit without submitting assignments. Approved applicants will be required to submit a paper and write an exam for each unit. An overall minimum passing grade of 70% must be attained to gain credit for the specific MAP Unit you are challenging.
Challenge Fee with PDF version of textbook: $282.50 per unit (250.00 + 32.50 HST #R106732936)
Challenge Fee with PDF and Hardcopy of textbook: $327.70 per unit (250.00 + 40.00 + 37.70 HST #R106732936)
Those who meet the minimum requirements mentioned above and are interested in registering to challenge any MAP Unit, submit the MAP Challenge Application to Education Department.
(This option is only available when the correspondence registration is open).