Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Public Management
The Public Administration Program at the University of West Georgia offers a course of study leading to a Graduate Certificate in Public Management (GCPM).
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog.
The GCPM is designed to meet the needs of practicing public administrators who already have a bachelor’s degree and who desire to: broaden their understanding of the concepts and techniques of public management; or pursue the certificate with the goal of career advancement but do not find it necessary or feasible to complete the MPA degree; or continue their education with the goal of earning a graduate degree in public administration (MPA).
Program Location
Online
Method of Delivery
Courses are 100% online.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 12
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program is offered entirely online. Though a student may choose to sign-up for a face-to-face elective or core course, one can earn this degree completely online.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a huge cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
Students may earn the Graduate Certificate in Public Management after completing 12 credit hours as specified below:
- CORE 3-6 credit hours
- POLS 5210 Public Management
- POLS 6203 Public Organizational Theory
- SKILLS 3-6 credit hours
- POLS 6206 Public Human Resource Management
- POLS 6200 Public Budgeting and Financial Management
- POLS 6204 Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
- SPECIALIZATION 0-3 credit hours
In consultation with the MPA Director, you may choose one of the following graduate level courses in an area of specialization. - POLS 5202 Interorganizational Behavior
- POLS 5204 Public Finance
- POLS 5207 Technology Policy
- POLS 5208 Health Policy
- POLS 5209 Environmental Policy
- POLS 5211 State and Local Politics and Administration
- POLS 5212 State and Local Government Finance
- POLS 5215 Management of Nonprofit Organizations
- POLS 5217 Grantwriting for Nonprofit Organizations
- POLS 6205 Administrative Law and Procedures
- POLS 6208 Scope of Public Policy
- PLAN 5701 Technology and Sustainable Economic Development
- PLAN 5704 Planning Theory and Practice
- CISM 6331 Strategic Management of Information Technology
- ACCT 6264 Nonprofit Accounting and Auditing
- MGNT 5630 Dispute Resolution in Contemporary Organizations
- PROBLEM SOLVING/CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE 3 credit hours
- POLS 6290 Practicum/Assessment Center
General
Principles and practices of fund accounting are examined with emphasis upon their adaptation to nonprofit institutions. The course includes measuring efficiency and economic use of resources to satisfy legal reporting as well as societal requirements. Auditing the reports and operations of nonprofit organizations is emphasized.
Focuses on information technology and systems from a general management perspective. Discusses management of the systems development process, the organizational cycle of information, technology, planning, evaluation, selection, and strategic uses of information technology. Includes frequent discussions of industry case studies.
Analysis of the causes and consequences of conflicts in and among organizations with strategies and processes for their effective resolution. The course will cover the sources of organizational conflicts, strategies for conflict avoidance, approaches for conflict resolution, and traditional and alternative dispute resolution methods.
Examines economic development policy at all levels of government and the role technology can play in helping promote sustainable economic development.
The course provides an overview of the development of planning theory and practice and its usefulness in addressing the challenges facing the practice of public planning in modern society.
An examination of the interactions between various levels of government, nonprofit and private organizations in the federal system.
A study of the equity and economic effects of government spending programs, taxes, and debt. The course is primarily applied microeconomics. Same as ECON 5440.
Technology Policy will emphasize the development of national and state energy, manufacturing, information, and medical technology policies and how they structure society, business, and, in turn, government. Interactive exercises foster student understanding of the issues, groups involved, and the dynamics of change.
This course examines the health policy at the national, state, and local levels, with a detailed look at the steps in the process, groups involved, and resultant policies. Through group exercises, each student will experience the policy process, gain an understanding of the dynamics of change, and develop the ability to form coherent policies.
Environmental Policy will emphasize the national and state policy making process, focusing on the dynamics of pluralist change, policy implementation and current environmental status.
Various changes in the management of public organizations are identified and analyzed. Includes the role of technology, modification of the relationship between public and private spheres, and current trends in the management of change and supervision of a diverse work force.
An in-depth study of the political process and administrative procedures used in American state and local governments to address social, economic and political issues. Comparative analysis of relevant actors and strategies across the states is incorporated.
Exploration of rationale for public revenues and expenditures, with emphasis on practical application and current state and local finance issues.
This course is designed to explore the theoretical principles and practical applications of management for charities and/or nonprofit organizations. The underlying thesis of this course is that by understanding fundamental principles such as developing effective mission and objectives statements, fundraising, marketing and accounting strategies, nonprofits can become more effective and responsive to their constituency's needs. The course will include a field research component.
A hands-on practical course in how governments collect and spend tax dollars and with what effects. Theories of budgeting are examined for their usefulness in the daily realities of the government budgeting setting. Through in-class group assignments, students learn to construct budgets with economic data, write policy statements, and demonstrate an understanding of capital budgeting, cash and accounting principles.
A survey of the major theories of organizational design and behavior with an emphasis on comparisons of public, private, and nonprofit agencies.
Concepts, techniques of analysis and evaluation methods for the design and assessment of public policy and programs.
A detailed study, by ways of cases and controversies of the Constitutional, legal, ethical, and administrative principles which regulate the actions of public servants, the course examines cases from both federal and state administrative experience.
An examination of the processes, policies, and laws pertaining to public personnel, the course analyzes issues concerning personnel administrators including employee protection, motivation, and efficiency.
This course assures that students gain practical knowledge and skill in program and policy administration by applying the latest and most effective theory and practice to real-world problems. Students both identify and offer alternative approaches to meet needs of a service, community, or public organization.
Sooho Lee
Professor & Graduate Coordinator of Public Administration
Karen Owen, Ph.D.
Dean of University College and Honors College, Associate Professor, and Director of the Thomas B. Murphy Center
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Graduate Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
- Official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited institution are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
- 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Two letters of recommendation
- If you are a current UWG graduate student, speak to your advisor about adding this certificate to your degree program.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
Posted deadline includes Application, app fee, and all supplemental items/documents.
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Contact
Graduate Admissions
graduate@westga.edu
678-839-1394
For more information on the Public Management Certificate, please contact:
Dr. Sooho Lee, MPA Director
slee@westga.edu
678-839-4991
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of public service values including ethics, democracy, and constitutional principles.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of generalist management techniques and skills.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of linkage between theory and practice.