This certificate aims to enhance graduates’ ability to manage and lead public and nonprofit organizations ethically and effectively. It establishes effective human resource management as a core foundation, with emphasis on the political, legal, and ethical dimensions of public service employment. Through study of management theories and techniques, students will gain understanding of contemporary organizational challenges and the tensions inherent to competing values and develop the leadership skills necessary to guide public organizations through change. Through their choice of electives, students may tailor this certificate to focus more specifically on the nonprofit or public sector.

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. 

The School of Public Affairs & Administration (SPAA) accepts students on a rolling admissions basis. Students may apply to be admitted for either the fall, summer or spring semesters.  Applicants for the certificate are required to meet the following program requirements:

• An undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.0 (if the undergraduate degree was awarded in the last three years); and
• the University requirement that Non-native speakers of English meet Graduate Studies English proficiency.

 Current graduate students who wish to earn a graduate certificate credential in any of the SPAA certificates must submit a graduate application for the specific certificate program no later than enrollment in the final course that will count toward the certificate.

Individuals who are not already enrolled as KU graduate students must complete an application to Graduate Studies for admission into the certificate program and submit an application fee along with the following materials:
•    A current resume.
•    A statement of interest in the graduate certificate program. This 1-2 page narrative should summarize your education, employment history, career goals, and how this certificate will bolster your professional aspirations.
•    Official transcripts of baccalaureate degree/s and any post-baccalaureate course work.

The admissions committee may request additional materials if needed to assess an applicant’s ability to be successful in the coursework.

More information about admission and program requirements is available on the SPAA Graduate Certificate page.

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. Students who wish to pursue both the City and County Management and Public and Nonprofit Management graduate certificates must seek approval from the MPA Faculty Director.   PUAD 834 will count toward both certificates, but the student must take one additional elective to meet the 12 credit-hour completion requirement for each.  Otherwise, 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 of Graduate Studies policies relevant to their student status and academic standing.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Course:
PUAD 834	Human Resource Management	3
Electives
3 courses selected from the following:		9
PUAD 703	Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
PUAD 708	Collaboration in Public Administration
PUAD 828	Nonprofit Management and Policy
PUAD 854	Innovation and Organizational Change
PUAD 857	Performance Management and Governance
PUAD 898	Leading to Create a Culture for High Performance
Total Hours		12

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

• effectively apply human resource management theories to a municipal workforce.
• effectively lead a public or non-profit organization through significant change.