What you will study
UCM’s graduate certificate in Public Administration will help you develop a wide range
of practical skills in finance and budgeting, policy analysis and implementation,
project and personnel management, logistics and more. Public Administration graduate
students also hone their written, oral and electronic communication skills, problem-solving
abilities and understanding of organizational behavior. These analytical and communications
skills are essential to a vast number of roles, both inside and outside the public
sector.
Whether you’re just starting your career or building up your existing skill set, UCM’s
graduate program curriculum offers you a strong foundation in Public Administration
essentials. Core classes include:
- Public Policy
- Public Administration
- Municipal Administration
- Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
- Administrative Law
Unique learning opportunities in public administration
UCM knows that one of the best ways to learn new skills is through real-world experience.
Our Public Administration graduate certificate provides you with a variety of challenging
opportunities to help you hone your abilities, make professional connections and learn
more about careers in the public sector in hands-on learning scenarios:
- Crisis response case studies: Learn how to help public sector organizations respond to real-world crises. Our faculty
will help you evaluate the pros and cons of government responses to Hurricane Katrina,
the 1947 Centralia mine blast, the COVID-19 pandemic and more.
- Special projects: Investigate how government offices and agencies at multiple levels manage and address
a wide range of societal issues, including homelessness, education inequality and
more. You’ll also work on projects that give you insight into how the rules that affect
our everyday lives are developed and administered. Further learning opportunities
will allow you to trace the history and origin of the regulation of federal bodies,
such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
What can you do with a graduate certificate in Public Administration from UCM?
To secure leadership roles in public agencies today, you need a graduate-level education.
Students with graduate certificates in Public Administration climb the promotional
ladder at their current job or find mid- to senior-level positions right out of school.
Whether it’s a position as a fire captain or chief, fundraising manager, health services
manager or urban planner, a graduate certificate in Public Administration can help
you get there.
Some UCM students choose to pursue advanced degrees after earning their graduate certificate.
Our Public Administration program allows students who pass three classes with a B
average or higher to apply for our MBA program without having to take the GRE/GMAT.
What comes after a graduate certificate in Public Administration?
Use the interactive tool below to learn more about Public Administration career paths,
occupations by income, job outlooks and more.
Financial assistance options for your Public Administration graduate certificate
The University of Central Missouri offers you a high-value education without breaking
the bank. UCM has been recognized by LendEDU for the low student debt our graduates
have after college.
We strive to provide you with the best financial assistance possible, helping you choose from grants, loans and scholarships to offset the cost
of your Public Administration graduate certificate.
In addition to institution-wide scholarships, you may also qualify for scholarships
reserved for students in certain programs. You can learn more about program-specific
scholarships with the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Meet Dr. Robynn Kuhlmann
Expert in American politics and policy
Dr. Kuhlmann researches American political institutions and political behavior, including
state politics, political parties, voting and elections. She teaches Federalism and
Intergovernmental Relations and is a frequent guest on a variety of news outlets due
to her expertise in American and Missouri state politics.
Meet Our Faculty
Meet Dr. Shari Bax
Award-winning Political Science professor
Dr. Bax supports student success at the academic, mentor, advisor and university-wide
levels. In addition to serving as vice provost of student experience and engagement,
she advises the Student Government Association, coordinates UCM’s involvement in the
American Democracy Project and teaches the courses Public Administration and Municipal
Administration.
Meet Our Faculty
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