M.P.A. Program Certificates

Certificate in Public Administration

Students applying to the Certificate programs have the same admissions requirements as for admission to the MPA. degree. After earning the Certificate, students may change their status so they can complete the MPA degree. Note: the GRE can be waived if the applicant has at least 5 years working experience.

Certificate in Public Administration

Application Process

Students applying for either certificate should also submit the following:

Two official undergraduate transcripts
Three letters of recommendation
A two page statement explaining your reasons for applying
Either scores from the GRE General Test or evidence of five years working experience to have the GRE waived

The Graduate Certificate in Public Administration is an option for individuals who do not need a masters degree, or who wish to combine a specialization in public administration with a masters degree they have already earned or will earn. Students may want to earn certificates in public administration in order to enhance their careers with government and/or non-profit organizations.

The certificate is a 15-credit program consisting of MPA 8001 and MPA 8002 plus nine credits of electives from the regular graduate courses offered for MPA students. The program may be enrolled in as either a pre-Master's or post-Master's Certificate program.

Certificate in City Management

The Graduate Certificate in City Management is based on the International City/County Management Association's inventory of 17 Practices for effective local government management and is a 15-credit (5 courses) program. Students may enroll in the Certificate program as:

a pre-Master's certificate
a specialization with the MPA program
a post-Master's certificate

Required courses (3 courses): MPA 8500, PSC 8250 and MPA 8003.

Elective courses (6 credits)
Students choose six credits of electives from the following courses:

PSC 8275: Intergovernmental Management (3 credits)
PSC 8400: Strategic Planning (3 credits)
MPA 8299 Topic: Land-Use and Zoning (1 credit)
MPA 8299 Topic: Performance Measurement (1 credit)
MPA 8299 Topic: Economic Development Strategies (1 credit)
MPA 8299 Topic: Debt Management (1 credit)
MPA 8299 Topic: Governmental Financial Reporting (1 credit)
MPA 8299 Topic: Labor Relations (1 credit)
MPA 8299 Topic: Program Evaluation (1 credit)
MPA 8299 Topic: Effective Public Affairs (1 credit)
MPA 8299 Topic: Emergency Management (1 credit)