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Public Management
Online Graduate Certificate

Advance your education at UMassD

The UMass Dartmouth Public Management Graduate Certificate provides students who have earned a bachelor's degree with the essential principles of public management within the context of public policy.

This certificate program is offered 100% online. Successful completion of this certificate program waives the GRE requirement for applicants to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program.

Application requirements

Review the admission process for the Public Management certificate program. Additional materials required

  • College transcripts
  • Bachelor's degree or proof of equivalency to a U.S. 4-year bachelor's degree.
  • Statement of purpose (1- to 2-page essay)
  • Resume

Program curriculum and details

Curriculum

To earn their certificate, UMass Dartmouth Public Management certificate program students must complete 12 credits. The certificate can be completed within 1 year, although students may take 4 or more semesters to complete the program.

These two courses are required:

  • Public Institutions and the Policy Process
  • Public Management

Students choose two of the following elective courses:

  • Program Evaluation
  • Regional Economic Development Policy
  • State and Local Public Finance
  • Administrative Law*
  • Environmental Law

Students who successfully complete this certificate and are subsequently accepted into the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program who receive at least a grade of B (3.0) or higher in each course will receive credit for those courses towards the 12 course MPP program.

More information is available on the Public Policy Department website.

*This course is part of the MPP core curriculum. Students who complete this course as part of the certificate and then choose to pursue the MPP will need to take a different Public Management course to complete the MPP with the public management concentration.

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

  • Application form
  • $60 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
  • English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
  • Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
  • GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Application dates

Customize your education and receive the help and guidance to finish as planned:

  • Value and affordability of a UMass education
  • One-on-one personal advising from enrollment through graduation
  • Free online and in-person tutoring and writing center

Learning style: online

Online courses are taught by UMass Dartmouth faculty to provide high quality instruction and personal attention. Students have the flexibility to accommodate work and home responsibilities within the structure of defined assignment due dates. The majority of our online courses are taught asynchronously.

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Course descriptions, schedules and requirements


Accreditations and distinctions

UMass Dartmouth is Military Friendly

UMass Dartmouth is a Military Friendly School, with leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.
Learn more about veteran services and benefits at UMassD. 

UMass Dartmouth participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

UMass Dartmouth participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

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