Effectiveness, efficiency, public accountability, and the better alignment of resources and managerial actions with organizational mission are key goals of public and nonprofit management.  This certificate is designed for those individuals who wish to develop skill sets in managing performance and in fostering innovative changes to deliver greater value to the public.  Managerial strategies, organizational change management, governance thinking, and quantitative analysis are emphasized in the coursework.    

Admission to Graduate Studies

Admission Requirements

• All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy. 

• Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.  

• English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required. 

Certificate Requirements

The certificate requires 4 courses for a total of 12 graduate credit hours.  Other courses may be substituted with the approval of the MPA Faculty Director.  Student pursuing more than one SPAA certificate may use a maximum of one course to count towards both certificates.  While completing the following degree requirements, graduate students are expected to understand and follow Office Graduate Studies policies relevant to their student status and academic standing.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PUAD 857	Performance Management and Governance	3
Electives
3 courses selected from the following:		9
PUAD 854	Innovation and Organizational Change
PUAD 858	Performance Audit
PUAD 853	Policy Analysis
or PUAD 863	Program Evaluation
Total Hours		12

At the completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Analyze, synthesize, think creatively, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Use performance management techniques to align resources and managerial actions with organizational mission.