Online Public Management Graduate Certificate
Overview
The Online Public Management Graduate Certificate exposes students to the essential principles of public management within the context of public policy. Students learn about the foundation of policy development and public management. From this foundation students choose from a variety of electives that focus on areas which include state and local public finance, regional economic development, program evaluation, and other aspects critical to public management. The curriculum is designed to meet certain learning competencies, which can be reviewed in the Public Management Competencies document. Additional information for the program can be found at Online & Continuing Education.
A completed graduate certificate waives the GRE requirement for those considering application to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program. In addition, each class counted towards the graduate certificate will be accepted into the MPP program (for certificate holders who apply and are accepted into the MPP program) so long as the student earned a 3.0 (B average) or higher in the course.
All applicants to the Online Public Management Graduate Certificate must fulfill the program's Admissions requirements. The links provided describe in detail what applicants must do and provide in order to be admitted into the program.
Program information
The Online Public Management Graduate Certficate aims to provide the following competencies:
- An understanding of the foundations of public management;
- Exposure to the essential principles of public management within the context of public policy;
- Development of the necessary concepts and applied theory to operate in the public management field; and
- The ability to manage and communicate in the field public governance.
Successful completion of the certificate should enhance a student's current career or aid in the development of new job skills.
Two (2) Required Courses
- POL 500 - Public Institutions and the Policy Process
- POL 510 - Public Management
Choose two (2) electives from the following list
- POL 531 - Program Evaluation
- POL 536 - Regional Economic Development Policy
- POL 541 - State and Local Public Finance
- POL 611 - Administrative Law*
- POL 661 - Environmental Law
*Note on POL611 Administrative Law: Certificate students wishing to apply to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program after completion of the certificate must apply this course to the core course requirements of the MPP. This will necessitate students taking another concentration course in order to satisfy the MPP requirements. For more information please see our Online Master of Public Policy page.
Detailed course descriptions can be viewed on our Course Descriptions page. Students can complete the certificate online within two semesters.
Fall
| Course | Offered |
|---|---|
| POL 500 Public Institutions & the Policy Process | First 7 Weeks of Semester |
| POL 510 Public Management | Second 7 Weeks of Semester |
| POL 531 Program Evaluation | First 7 Weeks of Semester |
Winter
| Course | Offered |
|---|---|
| POL 611 Administrative Law | Expedited 3 Week Semester |
Spring
| Course | Offered |
|---|---|
| POL 500 Public Institutions & the Policy Process | First 7 Weeks of Semester |
| POL 541 State and Local Public Finance | Second 7 Weeks of Semester |
| POL 661 Environmental Law | Second 7 Weeks of Semester |
Summer
| Course | Offered |
|---|---|
| POL 611 Administrative Law | Expedited 3 Week Semester |
| POL 536 Regional Economic Development Policy | Shortened 7 Week Semester |
Attention Students: Course offering schedules are subject to change, and in such cases this information will be updated. Any changes in schedule will respect the commitment that a student can complete the certificate in two semesters. Please refer to Online & Continuing Education for information on upcoming courses.
General advising information can be found on the department's advisement page.
You can follow your progress by using the Public Management Certificate Tracking Form (PDF).
Students matriculating into the graduate certificate in public management have options in how they combine the two elective courses in the certificate program to create a particular "track" or "emphasis" in public management based on current course offerings. Below are examples of how courses can be combined to achieve an emphasis in a particular area:
Law & Policy Frameworks in Public Management (with environmental management emphasis)
- POL 500 (Generally offered both Fall and Spring semesters)
- POL 510 (Generally offered both Fall and Spring semesters)
- POL 611 (Winter or "Maymester" 3-week sessions)
- POL 661 (Generally offered every Spring semester, and sometimes during Summer intersession)
Economic Development & Finance in Public Management
- POL 500 (Generally offered both Fall and Spring semesters)
- POL 510 (Generally offered both Fall and Spring semesters)
- POL 536 (Generally offered during summer intersession)
- POL 541 (Offered every Spring semester)
Public Administration Principles in Public Management
- POL 500 (Generally offered both Fall and Spring semesters)
- POL 510 (Generally offered both Fall and Spring semesters)
- POL 531 or 541 (531 offered in Fall semester, 541 in Spring semester)
- POL 611 (Winter or "Maymester" 3-week sessions)
Students are free to choose any combination of elective courses to complete their certificate requirements.
*Note: Certificate students wishing to apply to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program after completion of the certificate must apply POL 611 (Administrative Law) to the core course requirements of the MPP. This will necessitate students taking another concentration course in order to satisfy the MPP requirements.
When students are close to completing their studies and plan to graduate, they will need to declare their intention to graduate.
A completed graduate certificate waives the GRE requirement, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and transcript retrieval for those considering application to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program. In addition, each class counted towards the graduate certificate will be accepted into the MPP program (for certificate holders who apply and are accepted into the MPP program) so long as the student earned a 3.0 (B average) or higher in the course.
Students successfully completing the graduate certificate in environmental policy who wish to apply to the MPP program are expected to achieve a B (3.0) or higher in each of the four (4) courses taken to comprise the graduate certificate program. Students who fail to meet this minimum requirement are unlikely to be admitted to the MPP program. Apply to the MPP now at Online & Continuing Education.