Public Administration Graduate Certificate

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.