Certificate in Public Affairs Leadership

Flexibility + Convenience

The Certificate in Public Affairs Leadership is offered in a unique combination of on campus and online sessions, making it convenient for students from outside of the Twin Cities area to participate. The program starts with an intensive, introductory week in August, followed by monthly Friday–Saturday meetings from September to April. This cohort approach is the perfect combination: the intensity and depth of in-person instruction paired with the convenience of online coursework. Students also may pursue the certificate by taking courses in the weekly classroom format. The 2012 week-long session will be August 20–24, from 8:30 to 4:30 each day, plus some evening events. The weekend sessions for the 2012–13 academic year consist of a Friday class from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and a Saturday class from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• September 21–22
• October 19–20
• November 30 and December 1
• December 21–22
• January 18–19
• February 15–16
• March 15–16
• April 19–20

What You Will Gain

• Advanced skills in leadership, management, and policy analysis
• Enhanced capacity to bring effective solutions to public problems
• A new network of colleagues from across the state
• New modes of working in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors
• Improved leadership capacity

Your Peers

• Managers in nonprofit organizations
• Administrators in city and county government
• Officials in state agencies
• Public servants committed to becoming more effective in their professional lives
• Advocates and community and government relations professionals
• Business leaders interested in collaborating with the public and nonprofit sectors

Your Professors

In addition to outstanding research and teaching credentials, our faculty members also have practical experience in nonprofit, private, and government organizations around the world.

Courses

• PA 5941 Leadership for the Common Good (4 credits)
  Personal, team, organizational, visionary, political, and ethical aspects of leadership.
  
• PA 5038–PA 5039 Analytics for Leaders I and II (4 credits)
  Quantitative analyses, research evaluation, evidence-based policy, and data-driven organizations; descriptive statistics, research design; ethical issues in interpretation, analysis, and use.
• PA 8001 Transforming Public Policy (4 credits)
  Interdisciplinary understanding of policy areas through theory, readings, cases, and exercises; policy/system improvements and leadership implications for formulating/implementing them.

Program Prerequisites

Certificate students must have completed a bachelor's degree and have 10
years of professional experience and a demonstrated interest in public affairs.

Take the Next Step

• View the Frequently Asked Questions for the Public Affairs Leadership Certificate
• Attend an information session to learn more
• Participate in an online chat
• Apply for the certificate program