Best Online Graduate Certificates in Public Administration Programs

An Overview of Online Public Administration Graduate Certificates

In general, graduate certificate programs can be completed in less than a year with only 12 to 15 credits required. The subject of public administration works well in an online format because it doesn’t require the same hands-on training that, for example, a nursing degree would. Therefore, you can expect to find a plethora of fully online graduate certificates in public administration.

Apart from the short duration and entirely remote learning format, this type of graduate certificate program gives you the opportunity to specialize your education with electives. If you want to focus on budget analysis and finance, there are electives for that route. However, if you are more interested in the human resource side of public administration, make sure to find a program that offers these electives in its curriculum.

Below are three profiles of accredited graduate, or post-baccalaureate, certificate programs to give you a deeper look into how these programs are structured.

Addressing Graduate Certificate FAQs

How do I choose between a graduate certificate and a master’s degree in public administration?

Although you can focus your studies on earning a master’s degree in public administration (MPA) or a public administration certificate online, there are significant differences between the two. One important difference is the time it takes to complete each program. While a certificate program can be finished in one year or less, it will take up to three years for a master’s degree. The time commitment will also influence the cost, so certificate programs are significantly less expensive. No matter which program you choose, you may be eligible to receive financial aid, including grants and scholarships.

The scope of course content is also different. Since a certificate program is so short, it can be highly focused on one area of public administration. The curriculum of a master’s degree program is broader in comparison, so students receive a more comprehensive education. Think about your goals when making your choice between them. For those who want to eventually earn a doctorate, for example, acquiring the more comprehensive knowledge from a master’s degree would be the best choice.

There is also a difference in the admissions process between an online public administration certificate and a master’s degree. If you don’t want to take the GRE, certificate programs generally don’t have this admissions requirement. In some cases, you can get into an MPA program without taking the GRE, but there are many schools that do expect it.

What are the admission requirements for public administration graduate certificate programs?

Schools that provide public administration certificates still expect excellence, although the admissions standards may not be as stringent as MPA programs. Every program has its own admissions requirements. For example, Indiana State University expects applicants to its public administration certificate program to have a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of at least 2.75. Similarly, Valdosta State University asks prospective students to have a bachelor’s degree and a 2.50 GPA.

Do graduate certificates require a capstone project?

While some public administration certificate online programs may only require that students finish coursework, you may still have to complete a capstone project or a final paper. For example, the program offered by the University of West Georgia requires that students complete a project that applies public administration theory to a problem faced by an organization. This allows students to take what they’ve learned in class and relate it to a real-world issue that public administration professionals may face. When you’re finished with all of your requirements, it’s time to apply for graduation.

What factors should I consider when searching for my ideal graduate certificate program?

Just as you would do with any other education program, you want to perform due diligence when choosing an online public administration certificate. That means doing your homework. Be sure to look into the schools that interest you, including whether programs are entirely or partially online and if courses are delivered on a synchronous or asynchronous basis.

Also, spend time considering what type of concentration you want to focus on and if professors in a program have that experience. What has been your past work experience? What new skills do you hope to learn by earning a certificate? What parts of public administration interest you most? Ask yourself these types of questions as you research schools.

What is the curriculum of a public administration graduate certificate program?

Once you begin public administration certificate online studies, you need to make sure you’re aware of all program requirements. Generally, the curriculum includes courses such as introduction to public administration, organizational theory and behavior, public policy analysis, ethics and public administration, and public budgeting and finance. Also, you may be able to take elective courses so you can learn more about the areas of public administration that interest you most. You’ll be expected to complete 12 to 18 credits of coursework within about one year to 18 months.

Public Administration Graduate Certificate Concentrations

Public administration is a vast field. It’s not surprising that those who earn a public administration certificate online have several options for study concentration. Do you want to work for a nonprofit organization? Are you interested in having a direct influence on public policies? Do you want to ensure that the agency you work for is managed in an ethical manner? There is an online public administration certificate option that will give you the expertise you need for any of those scenarios. Below are descriptions of some specializations that schools offer.

Ethics and Leadership in Public Administration

In order to be effective, public sector organizations need to be run in an ethical manner. Professionals completing a public administration certificate online can learn ethics and leadership through programs like the one offered by Florida Atlantic University. The curriculum focuses on the ethical leadership skills public administrators need to run organizations and the legal principles they’re also required to know. In addition, students become familiar with conflicts of interest that may arise and how to successfully navigate them.

Human Resources Management in the Public Sector

This specialization explores the relationship between the law and public policy on the local, state, and federal levels. When students earn this certificate from the University of Southern California, they learn the role that government agencies on different levels play in policy creation and how legal rules impact policies from public administration professionals. Also, students gain valuable abilities needed to work in government agencies, such as communication, problem-solving, analytical, and collaboration.

Local Government Management

Working in local government comes with its own set of challenges. Students who enroll in a local government management certificate program learn how to navigate crucial roles, including urban planning, community engagement, and municipal finances. In order to help professionals gain the necessary skills, the program at Florida Gulf Coast University has a curriculum that focuses on intergovernmental administration, local economic development, urban planning, and state and local politics. Also, students learn proposal writing, budgeting, and grant writing strategies.

Nonprofit Management

People who want to dedicate their careers to nonprofit organizations can learn skills related to managing volunteers, fundraising, and governance. During the Arizona State University certificate program, students learn the history of nonprofit organizations and the innovations they contribute to communities. Additionally, students gain expertise in managing employees and volunteers, finances, and relationships with government agencies. This certificate program also familiarizes students with social entrepreneurship and how innovation is created and implemented in nonprofit settings.

Public Finance and Budgeting

Public administration professionals need to effectively handle money to truly help a community. In this specialization, students learn financial management in the public sector, including making sound fiscal policies, conducting financial analyses, and creating and adhering to a budget. The certificate program at Pennsylvania State University helps students learn how to do this effectively through coursework that covers financial management and accounting in government and fiscal decision-making methods.

Public Administration Job Prospects

Budget Analyst

Budget analysts are responsible for managing the budgets of governments, corporations, or non-profits according to set procedures and regulations. They provide counsel on fiscal allocation and budget preparation. Using various accounting and financial analysis software, they compile and analyze accounting records to delineate financial resources. The median annual pay as of 2023 was $84,940 and the projected growth rate is three to five percent.

Human Resource Managers

Human resources managers play a vital role in ensuring that organizations, whether nonprofit, private, or government, have the right employees for their needs. They manage the recruitment, hiring, and training processes of new employees, while also creating and managing benefits and compensation packages. Additionally, the median pay as of 2023 was $136,350 per year. Even better is that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent employment growth for this career, which is faster than average.

Public Relations Specialists

Whether you work for the government or for a corporation, your MPA degree could prepare you to become a public relations specialist for various organizations. Public affairs directors are responsible for ensuring that their organization or agency has a positive public perception. In order to do this, public affairs directors grant interviews to reporters, write press releases, and participate in fundraising events. People in this profession make around $66,750, as of 2023, and the career is projected to grow by 6 percent.

Highly Rated Graduate Certificates in Public Administration

To help you find a graduate certificate program that will provide the greatest return on your investment, we have created the following rankings using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). We have considered factors like affordability, accreditation, and student services. For more information on the ranking methodology STEPS uses, visit the “About the Ranking” pop-up below.