Public Policy and Administration Certificate Program
Students in this certificate will understand the factors in public decision-making and policy formulation by honing their analytical skills and increasing their theoretical and practical knowledge in the field. The two required core courses for the certificate lay the conceptual foundation for public policy theory and research and then students can choose two courses that best fit their interests and professional goals. The flexibility built into the certificate also allows students to complete the program in a reasonable time frame.
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STACKABLE CERTIFICATE
Complete this four-course certificate and apply your credit to Northwestern’s MA in Public Policy and Administration program. Details. >
About the Public Policy and Administration Certificate Program
- Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Administration Learning Outcomes
- Public Policy and Administration Curriculum
- Public Policy and Administration Course Schedule
- Public Policy and Administration Faculty
- Admission for the Public Policy and Administration Certificate Program
- Public Policy and Administration Tuition
- Public Policy and Administration Registration Information
- Applying Credit to the MA in Public Policy and Administration Program
- Find out more about Northwestern's Public Policy and Administration Certificate Program
Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Administration Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the certificate, students will have the knowledge, skills, and aptitude to:
- Evaluate the collaborative inter-organizational, inter-governmental, and international public policy and administrative environment
- Apply a standard of ethics to policy and administrative context
- Design public policies and programs
- Communicate relevant policy or program information to diverse stakeholders
- Lead public organizations to implement policy decisions with respect and understanding for the broader institutional, societal, economic and political environment
Public Policy and Administration Curriculum
Students are required to complete the following four courses to earn the certificate:
- MPPA 401: Research Methods
- MPPA 407: Scope and Theory of Public Policy
- Any two courses among the following core and elective courses:
- MPPA 403: Fundamentals of Public Administration
- MPPA 404: Microeconomics for Public Policy & Administration
- MPPA 406: Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis
- MPPA 408: Public Organization Theory and Management
- MPPA 411: The Legislative Process
- MPPA 413: Foundations of the Nonprofit/NGO Sector
- MPPA 417: Public Human Resources
- MPPA 418: Ethics and Leadership
- MPPA 419: The Strategic Policy Environment
- MPPA 421: Administrative Law
- MPPA 432: Intergovernmental Relations
- MPPA 430: Behavioral Economics
- MPPA 435: Regulatory Policy
Public Policy and Administration Course Schedule
The Public Policy and Administration Course Schedule page provides you with detailed information on the program's offerings.
Public Policy and Administration Faculty
You can find a full listing of our instructors in this certificate program on the Public Policy and Administration Faculty page.
Admission for the Public Policy and Administration Certificate Program
A variety of factors are considered when your application is reviewed. Background and experience vary from student to student. For a complete list of requirements, see the Graduate Certificate Admission page.
Public Policy and Administration Tuition
Tuition costs can vary for each of our programs. For the most up-to-date information on financial obligations, please visit our Public Policy and Administration Tuition page.
Public Policy and Administration Registration Information
Our Public Policy and Administration Registration Information page outlines important dates and deadlines as well as the process for adding and dropping courses.
Applying Credit to the MA in Public Policy and Administration Program
Students that are interested in the option of applying their credit to Northwestern's MA in Public Policy and Administration program must submit an online application and submit all required application materials.
Students that elect to apply to a master's program before completing a graduate certificate will be able to count completed courses toward the applicable master's degree, but there will be no certificate conferred.
If you are interested in exploring this option, please contact the SPS graduate advising team for information on how to pursue a master's degree at SPS.