Public Administration Certificate online

Apply By: 12/27/24

Start Class: 1/13/25

Apply Now

Program Overview

Accelerate your professional growth with an online Public Administration Certificate

$5,580^* Total Tuition

As few as 6 months Program Duration

12 Credit Hours

Learn what it takes to successfully manage and implement public policies and become a positive force for change. This robust Public Administration Certificate program equips you with essential knowledge and skills so you can analyze, plan and administer public programs at local, state and federal agencies with competence.

Gain a deeper understanding of how economic, social and political environments shape policies and engage with real-world public sector partners who build your proficiency in grant writing, budgeting, policy analysis and human resource management.

This affordable online program prepares you for leadership roles in government in areas such as program management and policy administration. Study 100 percent online and finish in as few as six months.

As a graduate of this online certificate program, you will be qualified for various roles in leadership such as:

Public Administrator at local, state and federal agencies

The Romain College of Business at the University of Southern Indiana is one of only 5 percent of business schools worldwide to earn this prestigious accreditation from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

Also available:

USI also offers multiple liberal arts concentrations online. Check out all our College of Liberal Arts online programs.

$5,580^* Total Tuition

As few as 6 months Program Duration

12 Credit Hours

The Online MBA in a Few Words

Listen to successful graduates and students describe their experience in the USI online MBA program.

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Need more information?

Call 844-515-9104844-515-9104

Tuition

Invest in a quality online program and pay as you go

USI is committed to providing an outstanding education that is also affordable. Tuition is structured to give our students the best value and flexibility.

Tuition Breakdown

$465^* Per Credit Unit

$5,580^* Total Tuition

For more information about tuition, fees and other costs, visit our Financial Aid Cost of Attendance page.

*Tuition applicable for current start dates and is subject to change. Any questions regarding tuition should be directed to the Bursar's Office. If you step out of the program, returning to the program may have different tuition and fees applied.

Application Fee

Application fee: $40

Active military service members and veterans receive an admission fee waiver. Simply apply online and select the "military waiver" option, then contact our office at 800-467-1965 so we may submit the proper forms to Graduate Studies.

Billing and Payment Schedule

https://www.usi.edu/bursar/billing-and-payments

Financial Aid

The first step in applying for financial aid is to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your FAFSA must be received by the federal processing center by April 15th each year to be considered for state financial aid as well as federal financial aid. USI's Federal School Code is 001808. You will need an FSA ID to electronically sign your FASFA. If you do not have an FSA ID, you may create one at StudentAid.gov.

Once you are admitted to the program and we receive your FAFSA, you can see the financial aid you qualify for and accept or decline your Direct Student Loan on your myUSI. For more information about tuition reimbursement or financial resources that may be available to you, visit our Student Financial Assistance page, access our Financial Aid FAQs, or contact us.

Student Financial Assistance Office

Local Phone: 812-464-1767
Toll Free Phone: 800-467-1965
Fax: 812-461-5305

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (CDT)

Tuition Breakdown:

$465 Per Credit Hour

$5,580^* Total Tuition

Calendar

Choose a start date and secure your spot

Now is the time to start earning your Public Administration Certificate online and take the fast track to a more successful career. USI provides you with the convenience of an accelerated application-to-start calendar.

Now Enrolling

12/27/24 Next Application Due Date

1/13/25 Next Class Start Date

View full calendar +

Billing and Payment Schedule - Please visit https://www.usi.edu/bursar/bill-and-payment-schedule/

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Now Enrolling:

12/27/24 Next Application Deadline

1/13/25 Start Classes

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from USI?

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Admissions

Learn about our streamlined admission process

The University of Southern Indiana's online Public Administration Certificate has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.

Undergraduate Degree Completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
GPA Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
GMAT or GREis not required

Admission Requirements:

Applicants seeking to be admitted to the Public Administration Certificate program generally hold a bachelor’s degree (any major is acceptable) with at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA may be admitted on a conditional basis upon review by the admissions committee. In some instances, students with less than a 3.0 GPA may be asked to provide additional information as part of their application.

Application Procedures:

Submit an online application and $40 application fee.
Submit transcripts to Graduate Studies.
- Official transcripts are required only from the institution at which your highest degree was earned. Electronic transcripts are preferred and can be emailed from the previous institution to [email protected]
- Unofficial transcripts from other institutions attended can be submitted via email by the applicant to [email protected]
- Applicants who wish to seek transfer credit for graduate coursework must submit an official transcript from the institution where that work was completed.
- Mailed transcripts can be sent to this address:
  Graduate Studies
  University of Southern Indiana
  8600 University Blvd.
  Evansville, IN 47712
Read the full transcript policy by clicking here.
International applicants may be required to submit additional information.

Courses

Explore your online Public Administration Certificate courses

To complete this Public Administration Certificate, students must choose from five core courses and complete 12 credit hours.

Expand All

Core Courses

Students must take PA 632 and PA 644. They must also choose between 606, 609, and 615. Students must also choose between 527, 564, and 565.

PA 632: Intro to Public Administration

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an introduction to the basic issues, tensions, concepts and theories surrounding the field of public administration. Students will be exposed to the literature of public administration from the classical to the modern period. This course will examine the constitutional foundations and evolution of public administration, the internal operations of public administration, including decision-making, budgeting, and human resources management, and the ongoing challenges facing public and nonprofit organizations.

PA 644: Policies and Processes in the Public Sector

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

An overview of policies and processes in the public sector, with an emphasis on the analytical and policy process fields of policy analysis, including an overview of decision making strategies, policy creation and program evaluation.

PA 606: Public and Nonprofit Personnel Administration

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this course is to examine public and nonprofit personnel issues, specifically issues related to personnel/human resource management, employee motivation, evaluation, promotion/demotion, training, benefits, wages and salaries, as well as disciplinary policies and various legal aspects relating to public sector and nonprofit employment.

PA 609: Budgeting in Public and Nonprofit Administration

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course attempts to examine how the behaviors of individuals, groups, and organizations influence the operation of government agencies and nonprofit organizations. In this class, we will draw on case studies of organizational behavior and organizational theory to develop our thinking about how to shape, guide, direct, and control public and nonprofit organizations.

PA 615: Legal Aspects of Public Administration

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this course is to examine legal and Constitutional issues relating to public administration. Many topics will be addressed in depth, including but not limited to public sector affirmative action, implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, whistle-blowing protections, due process protections, public employee privacy and free speech in the workplace, primarily through examining seminal federal court rulings. More generally, this course will look at legal aspects and legal challenges to agency, regulations, policy implementation, and laws pertaining to the public sector.

PA 527: Urban Politics and Governance

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

A study and analysis of the major issues, problems, and political processes of urban America, along with topics on urban governance, such as government organization and rescaling.

PA 564: Environmental Politics and Policy

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

An overview of environmental politics and policies as related to international, national, state, and local issues. Primary focus on how environmental politics are created, implemented, and enforced. Topics include air and water pollution, sustainable development and land use issues, and other contemporary environmental problems.

PA 565: Comparative Public Policy

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an introduction to cross-national policy research and to the fascinating and challenging issues of comparative research. Students will learn about theories and processes of policy making in a wide range of fields such as immigration, budgeting taxes, health care, welfare, education and environment. The course focuses on critical analysis and constructive alternatives of public policies in the cultural, economic, political and institutional contexts of the United States and selected other countries.

"When I was in the MBA program, we actually looked into the logic and the qualitative aspects of, 'Okay, here's the math, but does this decision actually make sense?' As a business, there are always other factors, so that was really good for me."

– Stevie Lynch

"I was able to balance my personal life and my career as well as all of my coursework."

– Sarah Matthews, MBA online graduate

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Session	Course Start	Application Deadline	Document Deadline	Registration Deadline
Spring I	1/13/25	12/27/24	1/3/25	1/10/25
Spring II	3/17/25	2/28/25	3/7/25	3/14/25
Summer I	5/12/25	4/25/25	5/2/25	5/9/25
Summer II	6/30/25	6/13/25	6/20/25	6/27/25