- Public Affairs Association of Canada
- Government Relations Institute of Canada (GRIC)
Government Relations (GRM)
About the Program
Endorsed by the Public Affairs Association of Canada and the Government Relations Institute of Canada, this eight-month graduate certificate program features specialized practical government relations training that will prepare you for careers in government relations.
You will learn to work with organizations and clients to co-ordinate and support their efforts to monitor, analyze and shape government action on existing and proposed legislation and regulation.
Government relations professionals establish long term relationships with government policy makers, utilizing strategic planning, issue analysis, lobbying, and stakeholder engagement skills to shape public policy and regulatory issues.
Part-time option is available >
Credential Awarded
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Duration
2 Semesters (8 Months)
Starts
September
Program and Course Delivery
This program is offered in Seneca's flexible delivery format, with some courses delivered online. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
- Issue analysis
- GR campaign planning and design
- Strategic communications
- Stakeholder management
- Ethical and regulatory requirements
- Enhanced presentation techniques
- Basic research skills
Work Experience
Practicum Experience
To graduate, GRM students must secure a volunteer position in the office of a politician of their choice and complete a minimum of 120 volunteer hours. Afterward, you’ll submit your verified hours and reflect on your volunteer experience through a short assignment.
Work Experience
Optional Work Term
This program offers the option to complete a work term, providing valuable hands-on experience in your field of study.
Students who select the work term stream will have the opportunity to participate in a work term(s) if eligibility requirements are maintained. Students will have the flexibility to transfer to the non-work term stream at any time. The work term(s) is similar in length to an academic semester and is typically a full-time position that may be paid or unpaid. The work term job search is student-driven and participation in the work term stream does not guarantee that a work position will be secured. However, students will receive guidance and support through in-class career workshops and one-on-one coaching to help prepare for the work term.
Students interested in completing a work term should apply to the Government Relations (Work Term) (GRMC) program.
Your Career
As part of a select group trained to connect with politicians, public servants and political staff in support of the policy interests of your organization or client, you will be prepared for entry-level positions with non-profit organizations, industry and trade associations, corporations and professional service firms.
Affiliations/Associations
Program of Study
| Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| GRM700 | Introduction to Government Relations | 3 |
| GRM701 | Writing for Government Relations Practitioners | 3 |
| GRM707 | Digital Campaigning | 3 |
| GRM715 | Presentation Tools and Techniques | 3 |
| GRM725 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| GRM739 | Media Relations and Communications Planning | 3 |
| GRM747 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| GRM751 | Government Relations Career Management ** | 1 |
| GRM800 | Alliances and Stakeholder Relations | 3 |
| GRM802 | Ethics, Advocacy and Managing the Government Relations Function | 3 |
| GRM805 | Campaigns | 3 |
| GRM809 | Municipal Government Relations | 3 |
| GRM811 | Federal and Provincial Government Relations | 3 |
| GRM817 | Digital Campaign Lab | 3 |
| GRM841 | Government Relations Research Project | 3 |
| WTP100 | Work Term Preparation * | 1 |
| Work-Integrated Learning Term | ||
| GRM441 | Government Relations, Work Term * | 30 |
- *
Work-Integrated Learning option only
- **
non Work-Integrated Learning option only
Program Learning Outcomes
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
- Design a strategic government relations campaign that aligns with the organization’s public policy interests.
- Create communications materials to support government relation goals, media relations and business development initiatives.
- Apply online advocacy platforms and applications to engage, organize and inform to key policy audiences in support of government relations efforts.
- Design and conduct research projects to meet the government relations and public policy interests of the organization/client.
- Adhere to federal, provincial and municipal lobby regulations and codes of conduct when meeting the responsibilities of role.
- Monitor federal, provincial and municipal policy trends and issues to assess potential impacts to the client/organization and key policy domains and recommend solutions.
- Manage interactions with government agencies, corporations and associations to enhance influence, minimize policy risk and build positive relationships.
- Identify key access points in the legislative and public policy process to inform priority setting and strategic planning.
- Distinguish variations in the structure and management of the government relations function in the corporate, association and agency environments.
- Engage with relevant media to support information gathering and relationship management.
- Plan and implement strategic government relation goals in accordance with professional norms and best practices.
Admission Requirements
- Ontario university/college degree, college diploma or equivalent.
- English proficiency for graduate certificates.
Canadian citizens or permanent residents educated outside of Canada must provide a World Education Services (WES) or ICAS Canada credential evaluation.
International Student Information
International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).
Pathways
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.