Municipal Administration Program

MAP consists of four courses:

• Unit 1: Introduction to Local Government
• Unit 2: Municipal Administrative Structure
• Unit 3: Municipal Financial Management
• Unit 4: Management in the Municipality

Throughout the program, you will acquire knowledge and skills that are essential to working effectively in the Ontario municipal sector. The readings, assignments, and discussions will help you develop:

• A comprehensive understanding of how a municipal corporation operates
• The ability to navigate different municipal administrative structures
• Working knowledge of municipalities’ statutory responsibilities and their relationship with other levels of government
• Perspectives on how municipalities can adapt to meet the changing needs of their communities
• Research skills to locate legislation and resources that you need to succeed as a municipal professional
• Writing skills that enable you to communicate clearly and formally to audiences such as municipal staff, councils, and committees

Note: Taking one unit at a time is strongly recommended if you work full-time. Taking the units in order is also recommended, but not required.

MAP Unit 1: Introduction to Local Government 

Unit 1 traces the historical evolution of local government in Ontario, its adaptations to the pressures of change, and the 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. 

MAP Unit 1 Course Outline (PDF) 

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. 

MAP Unit 2 Course Outline (PDF)

MAP Unit 3: Municipal Financial Management 

Unit 3 outlines the general features of financial management in Ontario municipalities, and how council and staff work together to ensure public funds are used responsibly to meet the needs of residents. The unit covers foundational topics such as fiduciary duties, tax and non-tax revenues, reporting, budgeting, and auditing.  

MAP Unit 3 Course Outline (PDF)

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 challenges. It introduces management concepts and issues in the municipal environment and provides an overview of tools, practices, processes, and legislation across different aspects of managing municipal operations. 

MAP Unit 4 Course Outline (PDF)

MAP can be taken in either correspondence or Zoom format (See the Education Programs page for differences between the two formats).

Each of the four units has its own reading, assignment, and discussion requirements. A minimum grade of 51% on the final assignment and a minimum overall course grade of 60% are required to pass each unit.

A MAP certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of all four units, which must be completed within three years.

• Correspondence format: $415.00 +HST per unit
• Zoom format: $510.00 +HST per unit

All course materials are included in the tuition fees. The textbook is provided to all registrants as a PDF document in our online learning platform, AMCTO Connect. A hard copy of the textbook can be purchased for an additional $45.00 +HST when you register for the course.

MAP is one of the programs that we offer under the status of a Certified Educational Institution. Tuition fees for this program are tax-deductible.

All cancellation requests must be sent in writing by email.

• For correspondence format, a refund levy of $100.00 +HST per unit will be applied to cancellations received prior to the first scheduled assignment due date. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received after the first assignment due date.
• For Zoom format, a refund levy of $100.00 +HST per unit will be applied to cancellations received up to two weeks (14 days) prior to the first Zoom class. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received within 13 days or less of the first Zoom class.

Registrations and payments cannot be transferred to a later date. There are no refunds for the hard copy textbook and returns are not accepted.

You may be eligible to apply for exemption from a MAP unit if: 

• You are enrolled in the AMCTO Diploma in Municipal Administration (DMA) program; or

• You are an AMCTO member pursuing the CMO/AMP designation; and

• You completed an equivalent academic course in Ontario that meets the criteria under section 5(b) of the DMA Terms of Reference. 

If the above does not apply, but you have a minimum of five years of relevant Ontario municipal experience in a senior supervisory role, you may be eligible to apply to challenge a unit instead of taking the full course. Approved applicants are required to submit a paper and write an exam for each unit being challenged. A minimum grade of 70% must be attained to gain credit for the unit. 

The fee to challenge a unit is $260.00 +HST.  

Contact us if you wish to apply for an exemption or a challenge.