Public Administration
Master of Public Administration (MPA) students are automatically enrolled in co-op. The MPA program is part of UVic's Faculty of Social Sciences.
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:
Katie Rowe
spacoop@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:
- $807.56 for domestic students
- $1,015.71 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 ³Ô¹ÏÍø in UVic’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. During his ³Ô¹ÏÍø 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.