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Online GDPA

Online GDPA courses are offered during fall (Sept-Dec) and winter (Jan-April) terms. They are fully online with asynchronous components and weekly synchronous Zoom classes.

Attendance and participation are expected and evaluated as part of the final grade for each course. On top of the scheduled weekly synchronous class mentioned above, significant asynchronous work in the form of readings, pre-recorded lectures, quizzes, and independent and group assignments take place outside of class time.

Classes generally comprise no more than 30 students, allowing ample opportunity for class discussion and individual attention. The professional contacts and friendships formed during the GDPA are one of the program's lasting benefits.

The Online GDPA stream is completed in one year. Students take two courses in the fall term and two courses in the winter term. Students must get permission from the LGP Director to extend their progression beyond one year. 

Application Components

In order to apply to graduate studies at Western, it is important that you understand the essential elements of the Western graduate school application. The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that all documents (e.g., transcripts, references, test results such as TOEFL scores) are submitted.

You will be required to input some personal information into the online application. This could include your legal name, mailing & email addresses, phone number, date of birth, and citizenship.
Western's current graduate school applicaiton fee is $185.00 (Canadian funds).

Western accepts two methods of payment in order to process your application.

  • Visa or Mastercard
  • Money order or bank draft from a Canadian Banking Institution. 

Western is unable to accept payment through alternate methods. 

The application fee is non-refundable. 

Applicants are required to upload copies of their transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.

  • Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the application process.
  • If your transcript is not in English, you must also provide an English translation processed by the issuing institution or a third-party translation service.

Official transcripts after admission

If you are offered admission, you will be required to provide an official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, other than Western.

An official transcript is a transcript in an unopened envelope with the institution's stamp on the seal, or an electronic transcript sent directly to gradapps@uwo.ca by the institution's Registrar.

Western also accepts electronic transcripts issued directly through third-party transcript distribution services such as MyCreds or Parchment.

References are collected through Western's online reference system.

  1. You will be asked to provide your referees' contact information within the application. Please provide an email address associated with each referee's institution or workplace.
  2. Western will email your referees within 2 hours of you entering or updating your reference information within the application, regardless of whether you submit it. Be sure to communicate with each of your referees prior to entering their information.
  3. Your referees will receive an email containing a unique link to our online reference form, which is comprised of questions selected by the graduate program and includes a space to write or copy/paste a letter of reference.
  4. When your referee submits their completed form, you will receive a notification email. We will add the submitted reference to your application within 1-2 business days.
  5. You will receive an email notification when a referee submits the completed form.

    You may submit your application before your references have been received, but all references must be submitted by the application deadline.
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 the GDPA Information page of this website.
We ask for a copy of your current resume detailing your relevant education, work, professional development, and/or community involvement is required.

Applicants whose first language is not English should carefully review Western's English language proficiency requirements before applying.

Applicants whose first language is English are not required to submit proof of English language proficiency with their application.

Review English language proficiency requirements

Graduate School Application Guide

The online application is managed by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) at Western. There is a link below to their website for details regarding the online application. Inquiries related to the online application can be directed to SGPS Graduate Admissions Team at gradapps@uwo.ca. 

SGPS Website: Application Guide

Ready to Apply?

The application portal is OPEN.

Applications for 2027 will be accepted between October 1, 2026 and February 1, 2027.

Online GDPA applicants apply to start in Fall Term (September).

SGPS Application Portal