Our Local Government Program, which was established in 1974, offers unique opportunities to study in the areas of local government and public administration, through both a Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (GDPA) and Masters in Public Administration (MPA). The GDPA provides specialized education in local administration and policy analysis, better preparing students for the challenges of modern community, urban and regional governance and administration. Our MPA Program is one of Canada’s leading graduate programs specializing in local level public administration. It is designed for mid-career local government officials wishing to further their public management skills as well as for future professionals seeking careers in municipal government.

We invite you to explore our Local Government Program website and to contact us with any questions you may have.

Featured News

2022 MPA Grad Wei Jiang - Silver Medalist, Thought Leadership Awards

Wei Jiang (MPA '22) was selected as the Local Government Program's recipient of the National Student and Thought Leadership Award, a joint initiative of CAPPA & IPAC. She was invited to present her research in an e-poster competition and she was awarded the silver medal. Congratulations Wei!

Professor Joe Lyons and Zac Spicer (PhD '13) - New Article Publication

Professor Joe Lyons and Zac Spicer (PhD '13) have recently published a new article entitled “Small Town, Short Work Week: Evaluating the Effects of a Compressed Work Week Pilot in Zorra, Ontario, Canada” in the journal State and Local Government Review. The paper is open access and can be downloaded for free here. Congratulations!

MPA Alumni Paul Wilton – 2022 Bertram Scholar

Paul Wilton, MPA Alumni and current Higher Education PhD student at the University of Toronto has been awarded a 2022 Bertram Scholarship from the Canadian Foundation for Governance Research (CFGR). http://www.cfgr.ca/bertram-scholars/2022scholars.php. Congratulations Paul and we wish you good luck in your PhD research!

Political Science Alumnus Enters Mayoral Race

Local Government Program (LGP) Recruitment and Development Officer, Deputy Mayor, and Political Science Alumnus, Josh Morgan, is running for London Mayor Fall 2022. To read the full story, please visit Global News.

Local Government Program (LGP) Expands to Western's Downtown Site

The Local Government Program (LGP) was recently featured in a Western News article announcing a new downtown hub located at 450 Talbot Street in London, Ontario.

Joe Lyons and Zachary Spicer - Western News Article and Research Study

Workers welcome shortened work week, Joe Lyons and Zachary Spicers research study finds. In this pilot project, staff were on the job for 10-hour days, four days a week, which also meant municipal offices were open longer hours, at no extra cost to taxpayers. 

MPA Grad Rachel Nauta - Featured in London Free Press 

Rachel Nauta, who completed her MPA this summer, was quoted and had her research profiled in a recent London Free Press article about municipal politicians running federally and provincially. Congratulations, Rachel!

2021 MPA Grad Michael Longeway – Silver Medalist at National Student Competition

Recent MPA Grad and Western’s 2021 CAPPA/IPAC National Student Award recipient, Michael Longeway, was awarded Silver for his presentation on his major research paper as part of IPAC’s Annual Conference. Congratulations, Michael!

MPA Grad Elmond Bandauko - Vanier Scholar

Elmond Banduako, who completed his MPA in the LGP in 2018 and is currently a PhD student in the Department of Geography and Environment, is a recipient of a 2021-2022 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Congratulations Elmond and good luck with your PhD research!

Professors Irwin and Lyons – New Grant

Dr. Bill Irwin and Dr. Joe Lyons recently awarded SSHRC Partnership Develop Grant. In collaboration with colleagues from Université Laval, École nationale d'administration publique, and partner agencies in London, Ontario and Laval, Quebec, the project explores the intangible benefits associated with collaborative municipal-not-for-profit service delivery.