Education & Events
 

Municipal Administration Program (MAP)



 
 

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 according to a given schedule. You will be assigned to a marker who will grade your assignments and exam. If you have questions the marker can answer them, but there is no live lecture or instruction. Instead, all activites/communication is performed via a Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Digital Format (Zoom): Like the correspondence format, you are required to complete assignments and an exam based on a given schedule. But the key difference is that you will attend a series of live online classes delivered by an instructor via Zoom.

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 Claudia Biasutto. 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.

Digital Format (Zoom) Tuition Fees

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

All course materials are provided through online access.

Digital Format Refund Policy: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing to Claudia Biasutto. 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)

Briefly 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 now operate. The rest of the unit mostly focuses on analyzing the external structure of local government.

Registration for the Winter Term correspondence course is now closed. Registration for the Fall term will open on July 2, 2021.
MAP Unit 1 Outline

MAP Unit 2 - Municipal Administrative Structure (Correspondence Format)

Focuses on the internal structure and organization of local government in Ontario, the ever-challenging relations between councilors 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 for the Winter Term correspondence course is now closed. Registration for the Fall term will open on July 2, 2021.
MAP Unit 2 Outline

MAP Unit 3 - Municipal Financial Management (Correspondence Format)

Examines financial management in local government. The discussion covers the changes and trends in municipal expenditures and revenues. It also explains the general nature and features of municipal accounting as well as evaluates 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.

Registration for the Winter Term correspondence course is now closed. Registration for the Fall term will open on July 2, 2021.
MAP Unit 3 Outline

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

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

Registration for the Winter Term correspondence course is now closed. Registration for the Fall term will open on July 2, 2021.
MAP Unit 4 Outline

Registration for Digital Format (Zoom) Classes

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

Registration is closed. The class has reached capacity and we are no longer accepting names for the waiting list. By registering for the MAP Unit 1 Zoom classes, your space is reserved for the 2021 Zoom classes for MAP Units 2, 3 and 4.

Dates for MAP Unit 1 Zoom classes: March 4th, March 5th, March 18th, March 19th and March 26th (2021). Each day is from 9 am to 4 pm with sign-in at 8:30 am.

Exam Dates: April 9th, April 10th or April 12th

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

Instructor: 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.

Curriculum: Although the curriculum is the same as the correspondence offering, it is the delivery that is different. The Instructor will schedule all assignments and the 24-hour, open-book exam date with you after the classes have started.

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.

Digital Format Refund Policy: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing to Claudia Biasutto. 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.
MAP Unit 2 - Municipal Administrative Structure (4 days)

Class has reached capacity and we are no longer accepting names for the waiting list.​

Dates for MAP Unit 2 Zoom classes: May 6th, May 7th, May 20th, and May 21st (2021). Each day is from 9 am to 4 pm with sign-in at 8:30 am.

Exam Dates: June 4th, June 5th or June 7th
MAP Unit 3 - Municipal Financial Management (5 days)

Class has reached capacity and we are no longer accepting names for the waiting list.

Dates for MAP Unit 3 Zoom classes: September 9th, September 10th, September 20th, September 21st and September 27th (2021). Each day is from 9 am to 4 pm with sign-in at 8:30 am.

Exam Dates: October 14th, October 15th or October 18th
MAP Unit 4 - Management in the Municipality (5 days)

Class has reached capacity and we are no longer accepting names for the waiting list.

Dates for MAP Unit 4 Zoom classes: November 4th, November 5th, November 15th, November 16th and November 22nd (2021). Each day is from 9 am to 4 pm with sign-in at 8:30 am.

Exam Dates: December 3rd, December 4th or December 6th

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 registereing to challenge any MAP Unit, submit the MAP Challenge Application to Rosita Bourke.

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

Equivalency Assessment

The AMCTO Board of Directors has approved the granting of exemptions for Units of MAP to graduates of relevant courses of study from accredited Canadian Universities. See the MAP Equivalency Assessment Application Form for more information.