The four Graduate Diplomas are intended to serve the needs for continuous learning for public servants and other professionals who seek to strengthen or broaden their conceptual and technical skills in public administration and policy analysis. Students enter the program with widely varying backgrounds, including those who already have advanced degrees in other fields but who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in particular areas of specialization relevant to the public sector.

Each of the Graduate Diplomas comprises six half-credit courses. The Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation is offered in an executive format, to be completed in 15 months while working full time: students normally start in the fall and conclude the following fall. The courses are offered in an executive format, but not at an executive cost.

The Graduate Diploma in Public Management, Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Development and the Graduate Diploma in Health Policy are offered in accordance with the academic year. Classes meet weekly across the Fall, Winter and Summer terms.

Students who complete one of the Graduate Diplomas and who are subsequently admitted to the MA in Public Administration may apply up to five of the courses from the Diploma towards the M.A., reducing its length from fifteen courses to ten.