Certificates in Public Administration

Program Overview

This program offers three certificates in Public Administration, City Management, and Nonprofit Management, each consisting of 15 credits. The MPA and Certificate in Gender and Women's Studies combines an MPA degree with a certificate in Gender and Women's Studies, requiring 39 credits. These certificates provide students with specialized knowledge and skills to advance their careers in government and nonprofit organizations.

Program Outline

Outline:

Certificate in Public Administration

• 15-credit program
• Consists of MPA 8011 and MPA 8061 plus nine credits of electives from regular graduate courses offered for MPA students.

Certificate in City Management

• 15-credit (5 courses) program
• Based on the International City/County Management Association's inventory of 17 Practices for effective local government management
• Required courses (3 courses):
• MPA 8500: Effective City Management
• MPA 8550: Urban Politics and Government
• MPA 8031: Financial Management
• Elective courses (6 credits):
• MPA 8400: Strategic Planning (3 credits)
• MPA 8800: Managing Public Networks (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: Labor Relations (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Program Evaluation (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Effective Public Affairs (1 credit)
• MPA 8012 and MPA 8013 (Individual Research I and II) may also be considered for the certificate with the permission of the MPA Director.

Certificate in Nonprofit Management

• 15-credit (5 courses) program
• Designed based on best practices in nonprofit education as well as through consultations with students, alumni, and nonprofit professionals
• Required courses (3 courses):
• MPA 8031: Financial Management
• MPA 8600: Effective Nonprofit Management
• MPA 8700: Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations
• Elective courses (2 courses):
• MPA 8041: Human Capital Management
• MPA 8100: Decision-Making
• 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 Topic: Land-Use and Zoning (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Leading Social Innovation (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Economic Development Strategy (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Program Evaluation (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Effective Public Affairs (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Performance Measurement (1 credit)
• MPA 8299 Topic: Marketing in the Cultural Sector (1 credit)
• In addition to the above electives, students may select one of the following Political Science courses:
• PSC 8310: Comparative Political Economy
• PSC 9050: International Organizations
• MPA 8012 and MPA 8013 (Individual Research I and II) may also be considered for the certificate with the permission of the MPA Director.

MPA and Certificate in Gender and Women's Studies

• Combined program with a Certificate in Gender and Women's Studies (GWS)
• Requires students to take 39 credits (instead of the 36 credits required for the MPA degree)
• Program Objectives:
• Provide students with the practical knowledge for the establishment and advancement of nonprofit organizations, particularly those related to gender.
• Educate students to become knowledgeable administrators and leaders in promoting gender equality, by giving them analytic and practical tools to navigate a shifting landscape of gender and sexuality in a globally diverse, media-saturated world.
• Curriculum:
• MPA: 27-30 credits:
• MPA 8011: Public Administration Theory
• MPA 8021: Leadership Ethics
• MPA 8031: Financial Management
• MPA 8041: Human Capital Management
• MPA 8051: Applied Data Analysis
• MPA 8061: Organization Theory
• 3 elective MPA courses
• MPA 8010: Management Internship (if needed)
• GWS Certificate: 12 credits

Careers:

• Students may want to earn certificates in public administration in order to enhance their careers with government and/or nonprofit organizations.