This certificate requires 15 credit hours of approved coursework with at least 6 credit hours at or above the 600-level. Students take Project Management (PUAD-617), a 3-credit course that teaches fundamental project management concepts applicable to government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector organizations that provide public services. The remaining 12 credit hours can be selected from courses covering a diverse range of topics—governance and public policy, public-private partnerships, organizational analysis and change, managing conflict and diversity, and more.
If you choose to continue your studies toward a degree, you may transfer up to 12 credit hours as long as you indicate your plans before the 12-credit threshold in the certificate program. You also may apply up to 3 hours earned at an accredited college or university as transfer credit toward a certificate.
Students must complete the coursework with grades of C or better in each certificate course. Grades lower than C are not accepted toward the fulfillment of requirements, although they will be included in the GPA calculation. Overall, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in certificate courses in order to be awarded the certificate.
To continue your eligibility, you must take at least 6 credit hours during each 12-month period, and complete the certificate within four years. International students are required to enroll in 9 credit hours each semester, except for summer.
For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or spainfo@american.edu.