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
An applicant seeking to pursue graduate study in the College may be admitted as either a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Policies and procedures of Graduate Studies govern the process of Graduate admission. These may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
Please consult the Departments & Programs section of the online catalog for information regarding program-specific admissions criteria and requirements. Special admissions requirements pertain to Interdisciplinary Studies degrees, which may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
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 |
| |
| PUAD 834 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| |
| PUAD 703 | Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector | 3 |
| PUAD 708 | Collaboration in Public Administration | 3 |
| PUAD 828 | Nonprofit Management and Policy | 3 |
| PUAD 854 | Innovation and Organizational Change | 3 |
| PUAD 857 | Performance Management and Governance | 3 |
| PUAD 898 | Leading to Create a Culture for High Performance | 3 |
