Public Administration
Master of Public Administration (MPA) students are automatically enrolled in co-op.
Office & contacts
Our regular business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Office: Human and Social Development A304
Co-op coordinator:
Andrée-Anne Leroy
spaco@uvic.ca
250-721-8064
Co-op assistant:
Elisa Wang
lawspacoop@uvic.ca
250-721-8195
Program facts
Master of Public Administration Co-op
- this is a mandatory co-op program (you're automatically enrolled as part of your academic program)
- online MPA students are not eligible for co-op placements
- there are 2 mandatory work terms; you may choose to complete 3 work terms
- you can earn a co-op designation after 2 work terms
Fees
Co-op students pay a co-op tuition fee for each work term. It's free to join co-op and attend the preparation course—you'll pay your tuition fee after you secure a co-op work term.
You'll pay your fees according to the same tuition fee deadlines as regular course fees.
Fees per work term:
- $776.20 for domestic students
- $976.27 for international students
Note that the graduate co-op tuition fee is different than the graduate installment fee. If you are a grad student and register for a co-op work term, during that term, you'll pay:
- the grad co-op program fee
- the grad ancillary fees
If you register for a course (e.g., thesis 596 or 598) and a co-op work term in the same term, during that term, you'll pay:
- the grad co-op program tuition fee
- the grad ancillary fees
Questions about co-op tuition fees? Email us or call 250-721-7032 for help.
Average salaries
You'll receive a salary from your employer during each co-op work term. Co-op salaries vary according to many factors, including:
- your previous work experience
- the industry you're working in
- the responsibilities of your co-op job
Here is an average monthly salary for a full-time work term in public administration:
- $3,828.95
Work terms
Example schedule:
| Year | Fall term | Spring term | Summer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study term 1 | Co-op term 1 + one elective (optional) | Study term 2 |
| 2 | Co-op term 2 + One elective (optional) | Co-op term 3 (optional) and/or 598 Capstone Project | Co-op term 3 (optional—if not already completed) |
You can take back-to-back co-op terms (upon approval from the co-op coordinator) after your second co-op term. You may not take back-to-back co-op terms after your first co-op term.
You may choose to continue with your current co-op employer for your back-to back co-op term, but we encourage you to try new work experiences.
Learn more about:
Sample jobs
Many MPA students secure placements in the public sector at the federal, provincial or local government level, including agencies and commissions.
Co-op opportunities are not limited to the Victoria area—you're encouraged to take placements throughout BC, elsewhere in Canada or abroad.
Juraj Kobzik (public administration)
Juraj is finishing his studies in UVic’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. During his studies he completed two co-op work terms with the Government of Canada’s...
Get support
We're here to support you with every step in your co-op journey, from applying to co-op to making sure you're supported at work. Contact your co-op coordinator or office for assistance.
If you identify as having a disability or a mental health condition, if you belong to an equity group, or if you identify as Indigenous, we have additional supports for your co-op experience.