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 complete an exam (if applicable to the unit) according to a given schedule. 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 the AMCTO Connect online learning platform.
Zoom Format: In this format, you are also required to read the textbook, submit assignments, and complete an exam (if applicable to the unit) through the AMCTO Connect online learning platform. However, unlike the correspondence format, an instructor will deliver a series of live classes through Zoom. You are required to attend these classes at the scheduled times.
Please note: A new version of MAP Units 1 and 2 will be introduced in Fall 2022. The revised units will include graded discussion forum activities, which will take place through discussions boards in AMCTO Connect. They do not require you to join a meeting, web conference, or call at a specific time.

Correspondence Format Tuition Fees

$412.45 ($365.00 + $47.45 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 $35 fee applies and the total will be $452.00 ($365.00 + $35.00 + $52.00 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

$508.50 ($450.00 + $58.50 HST) for each unit.

All course materials are provided through online access.

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 the event. Refunds are not granted for cancellations made within thirteen (13) days or less of the event date.

Registration for Correspondence Format

MAP Unit 1 - Introduction to Local Government (Correspondence Format)

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. The unit focuses on analyzing the external structure of local governments.

NEW - MAP Unit 1 was updated for the Fall 2022 term. There is no longer an end of unit exam but the course has six assessments that will be graded. Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.

Registration closed August 5 for the correspondence format, and we are no longer accepting late registrations. Although there are no waiting lists for the Fall 2022 term, registration will open December 1 for the next correspondence offering during the Winter 2023 term.

MAP Unit 1 Outline

MAP Unit 2 - Municipal Administrative Structure (Correspondence Format)

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.

NEW - MAP Unit 2 was updated for the Fall 2022 term. There is no longer an end of unit exam but the course has six assessments that will be graded, rather than five assignments. Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.

Registration closed August 5 for the correspondence format, and we are no longer accepting late registrations. Although there are no waiting lists for the Fall 2022 term, registration will open December 1 for the next correspondence offering during the Winter 2023 term.

MAP Unit 2 Outline

MAP Unit 3 - Municipal Financial Management (Correspondence Format)

Unit 3 examines financial management in local government. The discussion covers changes and trends in municipal expenditures and revenues. It explains the general features of municipal accounting and the changing nature of municipal financial reporting requirements. The unit includes topics such as accountability for public funds, tax and non-tax revenue sources, operating and capital expenditures, and asset management.

NOTE: MAP Unit 3 remains to have six assignments and an end of unit exam for the Fall 2022 term. It will be updated to the new assessments during the next review.

Registration closed August 5 for the correspondence format, and we are no longer accepting late registrations. Although there are no waiting lists for the Fall 2022 term, registration will open December 1 for the next correspondence offering during the Winter 2023 term.

MAP Unit 3 Outline

MAP Unit 4 - Management in the Municipality (Correspondence Format)

Unit 4 surveys many facets of management, including the management of people, resources, and information. It concludes with a lesson on the potential of strategic management for aligning a municipality and its resources to confront and address unfolding challenges (of the sort described in the first unit of the program), thus bringing us full circle.

NOTE: MAP Unit 4 remains to have six assignments and an end of unit exam for the Fall 2022 term. It will be updated to the new assessments during the next review.

Registration closed August 5 for the correspondence format, and we are no longer accepting late registrations. Although there are no waiting lists for the Fall 2022 term, registration will open December 1 for the next correspondence offering during the Winter 2023 term.

MAP Unit 4 Outline

Challenging a MAP Unit

Applicants must have a minimum of five-years related municipal experience in a senior supervisory role and/or courses 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: $265.55 per unit (235.00 + 30.55 HST)

Challenge Fee with PDF and hard copy of textbook: $305.10 per unit (235.00 + 35.00 + 35.10 HST)

Those who meet the minimum requirements mentioned above and are interested in registering to challenge any MAP Unit, submit the MAP Challenge Application to Rosita Bourke.

(This option is only available when the correspondence registration is open).

Registration for Digital Format (Zoom) Classes

MAP Unit 1 - Introduction to Local Government (5 days)

Next offering will be during the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open December 1 and details will be available at that time. There is no waiting list.

MAP Unit 2 - Municipal Administrative Structure (4 days)

Next offering will be during the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open December 1 and details will be available at that time. There is no waiting list.

MAP Unit 3 - Municipal Financial Management (5 days)

Registration is closed. The MAP Unit 3 Zoom class for the Fall 2022 has reached capacity and there is no waiting list. The next zoom format for MAP Unit 3 will be offered during the Fall 2023 and registration will open July 2, 2023.

Fee for each Unit: $508.50 ($450.00 + $58.50 HST). Includes all unit materials provided through online access.

Curriculum: In this format, you are required to read the textbook, submit assignments, and complete an exam according to a given schedule that will be performed via AMCTO Connect portal but you will also be required to attend a series of live online classes delivered by an instructor via Zoom.

Attendance is essential to this format of learning however, these sessions will be recorded. In the event that you are unable to attend any one of these dates, you will have the opportunity to listen to the presentation at a later date.

Dates for MAP Unit 3 Zoom classes: Each day is from 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am.
September 12, 13, 26, 27 and October 3
*Exam window: October 19-21

*The exam will be available in AMCTO Connect for 72 hours. You can start the exam at any point during the exam period, but once you start you must submit it within 24 hours or by the end of the 72 hours, whichever comes first. Therefore, registration for the exam is no longer required. Instructions will be provided 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 4 - Management in the Municipality (5 days)

Registration is closed. The MAP Unit 4 Zoom class for the Fall 2022 has reached capacity and there is no waiting list. The next zoom format for MAP Unit 4 will be offered during the Fall 2023 and registration will open July 2, 2023.

Fee for each Unit: $508.50 ($450.00 + $58.50 HST). Includes all unit materials provided through online access.

Curriculum: In this format, you are required to read the textbook, submit assignments, and complete an exam according to a given schedule that will be performed via AMCTO Connect portal but you will also be required to attend a series of live online classes delivered by an instructor via Zoom.

Attendance is essential to this format of learning however, these sessions will be recorded. In the event that you are unable to attend any one of these dates, you will have the opportunity to listen to the presentation at a later date.

Dates for MAP Unit 4 Zoom classes: Each day is from 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am.
November 7, 8, 21, 22 & December 5
*Exam window: December 16-18

*The exam will be available in AMCTO Connect for 72 hours. You can start the exam at any point during the exam period, but once you start you must submit it within 24 hours or by the end of the 72 hours, whichever comes first. Therefore, registration for the exam is no longer required. Instructions will be provided 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.