CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Graduate Certificates in Public Administration

Build specialized expertise to advance your public service career.

Choose a graduate certificate in Public Administration, City Management or Nonprofit Management. Complete your certificate alongside the MPA or earn it as a standalone credential.

15
CREDITS PER CERTIFICATE
3
CERTIFICATE OPTIONS
5
COURSES TO COMPLETE

Choose a certificate as a standalone credential or pursue one in conjunction with the Master of Public Administration.

FIND YOUR FOCUS

Choose the certificate that fits your goals

Focus your graduate studies on the area of public service that best aligns with your interests and career goals.

Certificate in Public Administration

Build transferrable knowledge and skills to advance your career in government, nonprofit, or private sector organizations.

15 CREDITS
Certificate in City Management

Prepare to lead in local government through coursework aligned with the International City/County Management Association’s Practices for Effective Local Government Management.

15 CREDITS · 5 COURSES
Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Develop the expertise to lead in the nonprofit sector through coursework shaped by best practices and insights from students, alumni and leading nonprofit professionals.

15 CREDITS · 5 COURSES
CURRICULUM

Explore the certificate curriculum

Each certificate combines required graduate coursework with electives that allow you to tailor your studies to your interests.

Required Courses — 6 Credits

  • Public Administration Theory
  • Organization Theory

Electives — 9 Credits

Choose nine credits of electives from regular graduate courses offered for MPA students.

Required Courses — 9 Credits

  • MPA 8500: Effective City Management
  • MPA 8550: Urban Politics and Government
  • MPA 8031: Financial Management

Electives — 6 Credits

  • MPA 8011: Public Administration Theory
  • MPA 8021: Leadership Ethics
  • MPA 8041: Human Centered Management
  • MPA 8051: Applied Research Methods
  • MPA 8061: Organization Theory
  • MPA 8100: Policy Analysis
  • MPA 8199: Cultural Competency
  • MPA 8200: Strategic Communication
  • MPA 8300: Leadership Ethics
  • MPA 8400: Strategic Planning
  • MPA 8800: Managing Public Networks
  • MPA 8299: Special Topics in Public Administration

MPA 8012 and MPA 8013 (Individual Research I and II) may also be considered with permission of the MPA Director.

Required Courses — 9 Credits

  • MPA 8031: Financial Management
  • MPA 8600: Effective Nonprofit Management
  • MPA 8700: Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations

Electives — 6 Credits

  • MPA 8011: Public Administration Theory
  • MPA 8021: Leadership Ethics
  • MPA 8041: Human Centered Management
  • MPA 8051: Applied Research Methods
  • MPA 8061: Organization Theory
  • MPA 8100: Policy Analysis
  • MPA 8199: Cultural Competency
  • MPA 8200: Strategic Communication
  • MPA 8300: Leadership Ethics
  • MPA 8400: Strategic Planning
  • MPA 8800: Managing Public Networks
  • MPA 8900: Public Policy
  • MPA 8299: Special Topics in Public Administration

MPA 8012 and MPA 8013 (Individual Research I and II) may also be considered with permission of the MPA Director.

FIND YOUR FIT

Build expertise for the career you want

Public Administration

For professionals who want to:

  • Deepen their understanding of public administration
  • Complement a current or future graduate degree 
  • Advance across government, nonprofit and private-sector organizations

City Management

For professionals who want to:

  • Prepare for a career in local government management
  • Develop expertise in the policies and operations that shape today's local governments
  • Build the skills to lead municipalities and serve communities

Nonprofit Management

For professionals who want to:

  • Build expertise in nonprofit leadership and management
  • Develop financial management and fundraising skills
  • Lead mission-driven organizations and advance their impact
GO FURTHER

Add a specialized focus to your MPA

Graduate certificates can be pursued in conjunction with Villanova's Master of Public Administration, giving students an opportunity to develop focused expertise while completing a broader graduate degree.

EXPLORE THE MPA
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Combine certificates with other graduate study

Students enrolled in select campus graduate programs may earn an MA in their respective area while simultaneously completing a Certificate in Nonprofit Management or City Management.

Current partnerships include the Department of Theatre, Department of History, Department of Political Science and Department of Theology.

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

What happens after you complete your courses?

Current MPA students interested in pursuing a Certificate in Nonprofit Management or City Management must complete and submit the Certificate Intent Form for review by the Department and Office of Graduate Studies.

Upon finishing the courses for the certificate, the Department verifies completion of the appropriate courses and GPA and forwards the information to the Office of Graduate Studies for processing.

After completing a stand-alone certificate, students can transfer the 15 credits into the MPA degree, meaning almost half the program is completed.

Certificates are mailed directly to students at the conclusion of each semester: September 1, December 31 and May 31.

                   

Ready to build your expertise?

Explore a graduate certificate designed around your public service goals.

REQUEST INFORMATION APPLY

Department of Public Administration
Villanova University
800 Lancaster Avenue
St. Augustine Center, Suite 205
Villanova, PA 19085

Phone: 610-519-3934

    

Public Administration Advisory Board Members


Important Notices for Distance Education Students

Read the Notices for Distance Education Students to access important information for students participating in online courses, online programs and/or on-ground clinicals or practicums while physically located outside of Pennsylvania.