The Graduate Certificate in Public Management provides current and future professionals with skills to adapt, respond, and lead through the challenges of public service delivery. 

Students gain expertise in human resource management, public policy communication, and organizational management while developing confidence in applying innovative approaches in strategic planning and management, workforce development, economic development, and public participation.

The certificate program outlines the foundation for local, state, or federal public service management.

Admission to this certificate program requires a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better. As of fall 2018, current Master of Public Administration students may not pursue this certificate.

Application Process

Current UCCS students wishing to pursue a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management must submit a Certificate Declaration to cps@uccs.edu. Students in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Criminal Justice programs may count graduate certificate coursework completed with a grade of B- or better toward their degree’s elective requirement, allowing certificate completion along with the MPA or MCJ program. Consult with CPS's graduate student services specialist or relevant program director to verify courses fit into your degree plan.

New students interested in pursuing a graduate certificate only must complete the online graduate application, select their intended certificate and pay the $60 application fee.  An official transcript showing the undergraduate degree conferred should be sent to UCCS Admissions, 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, or electronically to gradapp@uccs.edu.

A Certificate Completion Application is required to be submitted upon completion of the required certificate courses and grades have been posted for the final course.  This form is located in the myUCCS student portal.  It is the responsibility of the student to notify the College of Public Service when they complete their graduate certificate.

Graduate certificate students may also become interested in enrolling in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program. Up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level College of Public Service coursework completed with a grade of B or better as an unclassified (non-degree) student may be applied to the MPA or MCJ upon admission, subject to degree plan requirements and program director approval.

The certificate consists of four courses totaling 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. A grade of B- or better is required in each course counting toward the certificate. Certificate students must maintain a 3.00 GPA once admitted to the certificate program. Please be advised that courses are typically offered alternately online and on campus, not concurrently.  It is possible that pursuing a certificate fully online or fully on campus could take up to two years, depending on course availability.

• PAD 5001 - Introduction to Public Administration and Public Service

Plus three of the following courses:

• PAD 5002 -  Organizational Management and Behavior
• PAD 5004 -  Economics and Public Finance
• PAD 5005 -  The Policy Process and Democracy
• PAD 5006 -  Ethics and Leadership

Please see the UCCS Academic Catalog for course descriptions and detailed program requirements.