Political Science and Public Administration

• Overview
• Faculty
• M.P.A.
• Certificates
• Courses

Graduate Certificate in Public Management

The Graduate Certificate in Public Management provides skills and insights necessary to plan and manage public organizations. The certificate is geared towards professionals who are seeking upward mobility within their organizations, and students seeking to enter the workforce at the local, city, state and federal level. This program is designed to serve those who wish to gain specialized knowledge in the field of public management without committing to a full graduate program. Such specialized knowledge may include, but is not limited to: resource management, intergovernmental relations, administrative law, program evaluation, and public finance. Potential employers seek out applicants with these specific skills, making graduates more attractive for higher than entry-level positions in the local, state, or federal government, as well as private industry.

Application for the Certificate Program

To complete the Graduate Certificate in Public Management, students must apply to the UAB Graduate School. Application must include: 

1. Undergraduate transcripts from accredited institutions;
2. A statement of interest that addresses this prompt:
   1. In 1-2 single-spaced pages (200-500 words), please share why the Graduate Certificate in Public Management at UAB is right for you. Address motivations, ways you want to make change, and vision for your career after obtaining the Certificate. If you have prior academic deficiencies, please also address those in this statement; 
3. and one (1) letter of recommendation that meets the below criteria:
   1. This letter must be an academic or professional reference. Academic examples include those from professors or faculty advisors; professional examples include those from supervisors in either a work or volunteer position. Letters from peers, co-workers, friends, etc. are not acceptable.

Students admitted into the MPA program may earn the Graduate Certificate in Public Management alongside their MPA degree. To do this, students are required to contact the MPA Program Manager, Carin Mayo (ccmayo@uab.edu), before they start taking elective courses.

Courses

Students must complete five (5) courses---one required course and four (4) elective courses---totaling 15 credit hours. 

Requirements		Hours
MPA 662	State and Local Government Administration	3
Electives (Choose 4)		12
MPA 621	Open Government
MPA 664	Women in Public Administration
MPA 666	City County Management
MPA 667	Administrative Law
MPA 668	Intergovernmental Relations
MPA 674	GIS for Managers
MPA 675	Equity in Public Administration
MPA 678	Strategic Planning
MPA 681	Local Government Planning
MPA 682	Economic Development
MPA 683	Public Managerial Economics
MPA 686	Data Management
MPA 687	Resource Management
MPA 689	Program Evaluation
MPA 695	Special Topics in Public Administration

Grades

Students are expected to produce graduate-level work and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to continue in the program. They are also expected to abide by UAB Graduate School conduct and grade policies.

Registration and Payment

Students are expected to register for at least one course each semester. Payments of tuition and fees are handled through UAB Financial Affairs. All payment problems or inquiries should be directed to that office.

Future Graduate Degree Work

Certificate students who want to apply to the MPA program after completing the public management certification requirements must complete all application requirements as outlined in the Graduate School guidelines. A maximum of four (4) courses (12 hours) with a grade of B or better may be applied toward the MPA degree if the student is accepted in the program.

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Public Management does not automatically admit a student into the MPA program. All application materials must be completed. Students who pursue the MPA degree following certification must complete all course work within seven (7) years of the first course taken in the certificate program.

Questions?

Please contact the MPA Program Manager at ccmayo@uab.edu.

Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management 

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management provides practitioners with an opportunity to enhance their skills and improve their capacity to effectively run nonprofit organizations. This Certificate program is designed to serve those who wish to gain specialized knowledge in the field of nonprofit management without committing to a full graduate program. Both on-campus and online courses are offered.

Application for the Certificate Program

To complete the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, students must apply to the UAB Graduate School. Application must include: 

1. Undergraduate transcripts from accredited institutions;
2. A statement of interest that addresses this prompt:
   1. In 1-2 single-spaced pages (200-500 words), please share why the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management at UAB is right for you. Address motivations, ways you want to make change, and vision for your career after obtaining the Certificate. If you have prior academic deficiencies, please also address those in this statement; 
3. and one (1) letter of recommendation that meets the below criteria:
   1. This letter must be an academic or professional reference. Academic examples include those from professors or faculty advisors; professional examples include those from supervisors in either a work or volunteer position. Letters from peers, co-workers, friends, etc. are not acceptable.

Students admitted into the MPA program may earn the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management alongside their MPA degree. To do this, students are required to contact the MPA Program Manager, Carin Mayo (ccmayo@uab.edu), before they start taking elective courses.

Curriculum

Students must complete five (5) courses---one required course and four (4) elective courses---totaling 15 credit hours. 

Requirements		Hours
MPA 672	Nonprofit Management	3
Electives (Choose 4)		12
MPA 665	Crisis Management
MPA 671	Marketing and Fundraising
MPA 673	Nonprofit Health
MPA 674	GIS for Managers
MPA 675	Equity in Public Administration
MPA 678	Strategic Planning
MPA 684	Grants Management
MPA 686	Data Management
MPA 687	Resource Management
MPA 689	Program Evaluation
MPA 695	Special Topics in Public Administration

Grades

Students are expected to produce graduate-level work and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to continue in the program. They are also expected to abide by UAB Graduate School conduct and grade policies.

Registration and Payment

Students are expected to register for at least one course each semester. Payments of tuition and fees are handled through UAB Financial Affairs. All payment problems or inquiries should be directed to that office.

Future Graduate Degree Work

Certificate students who want to apply to the MPA program after completing the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management must complete all application requirements as outlined in the Graduate School guidelines. A maximum of four (4) courses (12 hours) with a grade of B or better may be applied toward the MPA degree if the student is accepted in the program.

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management does not automatically admit a student into the MPA program. All application materials must be completed. Students who pursue the MPA degree following certification must complete all course work within seven (7) years of the first course taken in the certificate program.

Questions?

Please contact the MPA Program Manager, Carin Mayo, at ccmayo@uab.edu.