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Graduate Certificates Handbook

News Type College News

The Glenn College offers three graduate certificates, which allow anyone with a bachelor’s degree to pursue additional training in the areas of Public Management, Criminal Justice Administration and Federal Policy and Management.

Students may be able to transfer up to 100% of the certificate’s credits into a degree program such as the MPA, in-career MA or online MPAL subsequent to completing the certificate. Please speak with a Glenn College advisor for additional details.

To receive a Graduate Certificate, students must attain a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 and a minimum grade of a C- in each course.

Program Descriptions

The John Glenn College of Public Affairs' Graduate Certificate in Public Management is designed to meet the needs of working professionals in the public sector who desire to enhance their public management and leadership skills. 

The 13-credit-hour certificate is perfect for students and professionals across a multitude of fields who wish to prepare themselves for management roles in the public sector. The certificate is also perfect for professionals who are contemplating a career change to the public sector and who need the skills and knowledge to make a successful transition. For many professionals, a graduate certificate will be sufficient to master the relevant skills, but for others, a certificate provides an opportunity for further training for those who are not ready or unable to complete a full master’s degree.

The John Glenn College of Public Affairs in partnership with the Department of Sociology offers a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration designed to meet the needs of working professionals by providing accessible online criminal justice administration training. 

This 15-credit-hour graduate certificate program is designed for working professionals who are looking to advance their careers by attaining the necessary skills and training for administrative roles in criminal justice organizations. This program is perfect for working professionals considering a career change to the criminal justice sector. 

While a graduate certificate does not replace a master’s degree, for many, it is sufficient to master job relevant skills. Earning a graduate certificate is a great option for working professionals who are not ready or are unable to commit to a full master’s degree program.

The Graduate Certificate in Federal Policy and Management is for students interested in an immersive Washington, DC experience, while earning an in-demand credential. Live and learn in the nation’s capital while learning the dynamics of the federal policy environment and applying it to your area of expertise.

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Federal Policy and Management, students are required to complete a minimum of 13 hours of graded, graduate-level coursework in six courses offered by the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. There is also an internship component where students typically will work 20-30 hours a week in an internship that advances their career goals.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants may apply to start a certificate program in any semester. Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Statements of purpose require articulation of how the certificate is consistent with the applicant’s professional and career goals. Letters of Recommendation are not required if GPA from most recently earned degree was 3.0 or higher.  If GPA was below a 3.0 then one letter of recommendation is required for consideration. It is recommended that students from international undergraduate institutions score at least a 100 in the TOEFL iBT. Resumes and transcripts are required from all applicants.