Application Process

This stream of the GDPA is for City of London Employees Only.  Other interested individuals can apply to our regular on-campus or online streams of the GDPA program.


Step 1 - City of London Pre-Approval 

There are a limited number of spots available for City of London employees. Employees interested in being considered for this opportunity are required to submit a current resume, including a Professional Development section outlining completed educational and development courses to Learning & Development. Please check to ensure there is an active application cycle open, typically in the Spring.  If you have additional questions about the Graduate Diploma in Public Administration program, please contact Learning & Development at the City or email iLearn@London.ca.


Step 2 - Western University Application 

Only selected City of London employees who have been approved in Step 1 will be invited to complete a formal application by applying online to Western University and paying the required application fee ($150).
(Note: City of London employees who are not selected might consider applying directly to Western’s on-campus GDPA program.)  

The application to the GDPA program is managed by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) at Western. For questions regarding the application, contact the Graduate Admissions Office gradapps@uwo.ca

Application Components

The GDPA application will require the following components:

  • Personal Information

  • Application Fee ($150.00)

  • Proficiency in English Scores (if applicable - see SGPS website for requirements)

  • Letter of Intent
    We ask for you to write a personal 2-3 page letter outlining your interest in studying Local Government Public Administration and why you make a good candidate to the program.  Strong letters outline what experience/perspective the student brings to the program and how the program will assist the student in career development. This usually requires knowledge about the program offerings which you can find in Courses section of the Local Government Program website.
  • Resume
    A current resume detailing your relevant education, work, professional development, and/or community involvement is required
  • Reference
    Western uses a digital graduate reference process. Western will email your referee within 2 hours of entering or updating your reference information within the application. Please be sure to communicate your referee prior to entering them. Your reference will be collected by Western and distributed alongside your application once it arrives. No paper reference letters are required. Please be sure to provide an email address associated with the referee's institution or workplace. A unique link will be emailed to the referee, allowing them to log in to a secure site and submit an online reference or upload a reference document as an attachment. You will be notified once your referee replies to the request.
  • Academic History - Transcripts
    During the application process, you are allowed to upload unofficial copies of your transcripts (including unofficial records such as a grade report printout).
    * Note: If you are made an offer of admission, Western requires you to submit formal, official transcripts from all of your post-secondary institutions directly to Western University’s School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (gradapps@uwo.ca). The only exception is if your degree is from Western. There is a deadline to provide the official transcripts and that is communicated by email from SGPS.