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.  Fully matriculated M.P.A. students also have the option of earning certificates offered in Master of Political Science Program. Click here for more information.

Certificate in Public Administration

The Graduate Certificate in Public Administration is an option for individuals who do not need a Master's degree, or who wish to combine a specialization in public administration with a Master's 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 nonprofit 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 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:

• MPA 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)
• MPA 8800: Managing Public Networks (3 credits)

Certificate in Nonprofit Management

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management was designed based on best practices in nonprofit education as well as through consultations with students, alumni, and nonprofit professionals and is a 15-credit (5 courses) program. Students may enroll in the Certificate program as:

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

Required courses (3 courses): MPA 8003, MPA 8600, MPA 8700

Elective courses (2 courses):Students choose six credits of electives from the following courses:

• MPA 8004: Public Personnel Management
• MPA 8100: Decision-Making
• MPA 8200: Administrative Communication
• MPA 8300: Leadership Ethics
• MPA 8400: Strategic Planning
• PSC 8209: Public Policy
• MPA 8800: Managing Public Networks
• PSC 9425: Religion, Politics, & Public Management
• LTX 4022: Law of Nonprofit Organizations*
  • *Students must have a GPA of 3.7 or greater to take this class.
• MPA 8299 Topic: Land-Use and Zoning (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Economic Development Strategies (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Program Evaluation (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Effective Public Affairs (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Emergency Management (1 credit)

In addition to the above electives, students may select one of the following Political Science courses:

• PSC 8700: Globalization
• PSC 8775: Global Inequality

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