A graduate certificate or diploma (the terms are used interchangeably in North America) in public administration denotes specialization in a sub-field or discipline of public administration and policy gained through intensive graduate-level study. As such, it supplements an already established area of expertise (in public administration or not related to the field) and adds value to a previously earned Bachelor's or graduate degree. Delivered in various formats from residential to online, graduate certificates in public administration comprise 4 - 6 courses (typically 12 - 18 credit hours) taken in a prescribed sequence at the graduate level.
The concurrent graduate certificate or diploma in public administration allows students currently enrolled in a Master's or Doctoral degree program in the field to pursue an in-depth exploration of one aspect of their field. For example, a student working towards a Master's in Public Administration with a specialization in Social and Health Administration may take the Graduate Certificate in Administration of Long Term Care to augment their expertise.
The stand-alone, direct-entry graduate certificate/diploma program in public administration provides an opportunity for graduate-level study of theory and research to students who are not interested in pursuing a full graduate degree. This could include professionals with a Bachelor's degree working in the field or anyone who does not have the time or interest in a traditional graduate program in public administration. Then too, some students who take the stand-alone certificate already have a graduate degree and use their certificate to augment a particular area of interest.
A selection, but not inclusive lsit, of graduate certificates/diplomas in public administration and policy includes
Graduate Certificate in Public Management (Generalist)
Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (Generalist)
Graduate Certificate in Administration of Justice
Graduate Certificate in Administration of Long Term Care
Graduate Certificate in Association Management
Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management (Homeland Security)
Graduate Certificate in Executive Management of Mental Health Programs
Graduate Certificate in Law and Public Policy
Graduate Certificate in Management of Ambulatory Care Systems
Graduate Certificate in Management of Transportation Systems
Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Policy
Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management
Graduate Certificate in Women in Politics and Public Policy
