Graduate Certificate in Public Management

Plan Description

The School of Public Policy and Leadership offers a Graduate Certificate in Public Management. The certificate is designed for individuals with a baccalaureate degree and who are currently employed in a public (national, state, or local) or nonprofit agency. The certificate is designed to provide individuals the basic intellectual foundation necessary to function as a manager in the public sector.

Students earning the certificate may apply for admission into the Master of Public Administration degree program. If accepted, the fifteen credits earned in the certificate program may be applied to the M.P.A. Additional information about admissions to the M.P.A. can be found on the School of Public Policy and Leadership web page.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Graduate College Admission Requirements

1. Completed application in the Grad Rebel Gateway and non-refundable application fee. 
2. Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
3. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor’s degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits). 
4. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
   1. Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

Department Admission Requirements

 To be admitted to the program, you must:

1. Be currently employed in a public agency at the national, state, or local level or at a nonprofit.
2. Provide two letters of recommendation from professors, employers and/or professional colleagues.
3. Submit a current resume with your application.
4. Submit a personal statement.

 Application Process:

1. Apply to the Graduate College through the online application system. Be sure to select the certificate in Public Management (rather than the MPA degree) from the list.
2. You are required to send official transcripts for all college-level work to the Graduate College.
3. Note: Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded and submitted to the Graduate Coordinator in the School of Public Policy and Leadership for initial evaluation.
4. After the School and Graduate College obligations have been met, the file then goes to the School’s Admission Committee. The Graduate College will then send you an email confirmation with the status of the admission decision.

Note: If you complete the required 15 credits with a 3.5 GPA or higher, then you will be able to apply for the MPA program and possibly be accepted without taking the GRE the following spring.

Students are accepted into a certificate program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

Total Credits Required: 15

Plan Certificate Completion Requirements

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.