This programme of study allows students in appropriate graduate programmes at York University to specialize formally in the area of Democratic Administration, and to be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Democratic Administration. The diploma is awarded concurrently with the Master's or Doctoral degree for which the student is registered. For those students who successfully complete both the degree and diploma, the diploma is noted on the student's transcript and awarded at the convocation at which the degree is awarded or at the subsequent convocation.
Students can only receive the diploma if they successfully complete the degree programme.
The diploma aims to equip students with both the analytical and practical insights needed to help build more democratic and responsive institutions. Each student is exposed to an in-depth analysis of the parameters which constrain collective institutions and the state, with the goal of ensuring that students are able to both elaborate and critically evaluate policies across a broad range of social and economic issues. Equally important, in keeping with the democratic thrust of the programme, students explore alternative methods of policy formation and implementation. Developing techniques for the empowerment of constituencies, usually relegated to client status or perfunctory consultation, is an integral part of the practical, administrative dimensions of the programme. Candidates formally register for the diploma following registration for their degree programme, at the time they define their programme of studies.