Program Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Public Policy is an 18-credit hour program offered fully online by the College of Public Service. It equips students interested in public sector work or policy advocacy with theoretical and skill-based understanding of the policy process. It is designed as a part-time, year-round (including summer term) program to meet the needs of working students. A part-time student can complete certificate requirements within twelve months (three (3) semesters), and the program is designed to stack with, or fit within, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree to accommodate those students who may wish to pursue that degree. Those who complete the certificate first must complete an additional application for the MPA and meet all MPA admission requirements as they approach the end of their certificate studies (if they desire to continue without interruption), or after completion. Those desiring to seek both programs simultaneously should complete the application for the MPA degree; the certificate can be added as the student’s secondary program after admission upon initial advising.
Program Outcomes
Completers of this certificate program will be able to apply decision-making skills and critical thinking to analyze contemporary policy issues and improve public organizations.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants for the Graduate Certificate must provide: (1) a completed Application for Admission to the Graduate School; (2) application fee; (3) one official transcript of undergraduate work showing the award of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university showing at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. The admission decision will be based on the entire academic and professional record after the conditions specified here have been met. Applicants will be granted unconditional admission if the overall record (based on the above variables) indicates a high potential for success in the program. The graduate certificate is not a degree, and certificate completers do not walk at Commencement ceremonies unless they are completing a degree program at the same time. Each student will be assigned an advisor upon official admission; advisors are listed by program responsibility on the department website https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/advisors.aspx. Students should consult with their advisors prior to their first semester registration to receive a plan for completion and as needed as they continue their studies. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the advisor when consultation is needed.
Important Dates
This program can be started in any semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). Applications are due via the TSU Graduate School’s application portal by July 1 for Fall; November 1 for Spring, and April 1 for Summer. Applications received after those dates may be deferred till the next semester if insufficient time for processing and successful matriculation is available.
Course scheduling
To align with the needs of working students, courses are delivered fully online in a predictable pattern. Upon admission to the program, students should seek advising from the Department chair regarding a complete plan to complete their graduate certificate. Once that plan is in hand, students should follow it each semester at registration. If a planned course is not available in the course schedule or is full, or if the student deviates from the plan for any reason (e.g., withdrawing from a course or courses, or not enrolling continuously), they must obtain an updated plan for completion. If any question comes up, students are urged to correspond or meet with their advisor to ensure that they are enrolling in the correct courses. Students should also monitor their DegreeWorks program audit after every registration to make sure their registrations are posting against graduate certificate requirements - if not, they must contact their advisor promptly as this can affect financial aid or delay progress to completion.
Program Duration
This program is designed for part-time, year-round study-typically six credits (two courses) per semester-to accommodate working professionals. The standard timeline is three consecutive semesters (including summer term), taking two courses each term so the certificate can be completed in one calendar year. Students may begin the program in any semester. With advising, students may progress through the program at the slower pace of one course per semester if desired. Although courses are offered on a regular and predictable rotation to support timely completion, not every course is available every semester. Therefore, to stay on track, students must receive academic advising from the department chair before starting the program. If any changes are made to the original plan due to withdrawal or a full course, students should consult their advisor right away for guidance and an updated plan.
Transfer of Credits
The Department of Public Administration follows the TSU Graduate School policies regarding transfer of credits. Given the short nature of the graduate certificate program (18 credits), it is expected that no more than six credits (2 courses) will be considered for transfer from another University for students seeking the graduate certificate on its own (not along with a degree), and only subject to department chair approval. Suitability for transfer is determined by the department chair based on course similarity to our offerings that fit within the graduate certificate curriculum. The transfer request is subject to additional levels of approval per Graduate School policy. Out-of-date credits (see Time Limitations for Credit) and those with grades below B cannot be considered for transfer.
Program Retention and Completion Requirements
All applicants to graduate programs in the College of Public Service must also consult the Graduate School policies detailed at the beginning of the Graduate Catalog, which pertain to all TSU graduate students. All students are expected to be familiar with and to adhere to both Graduate School policies and specific departmental requirements for their degree and/or graduate certificate. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate courses taken at Tennessee State University is required for successful completion of graduate certificates or graduate degree programs; individual programs may also have more restrictive policies as detailed in their Catalog section (for example, C grades in core courses are not accepted for the Ph.D. in public policy and administration). We abide by Graduate School policies including those regarding retention, probation, suspension, and time limitations for degrees (see the front matter of this Catalog). Per Graduate School policy, a given course in our programs may be repeated one time only, and the second grade will replace the first. A student may repeat a maximum of two (2) courses in a given program for the purpose of improving grades. Grades of D or F may not be counted towards meeting program curricular requirements for award of the certificate.
Time Limitation for Credit
Course credits earned more than three (3) years prior to a student’s completion may not be applied toward the graduate certificate without a successful time-extension appeal to the Graduate Council (including an appropriate revalidation plan, which may require retaking the courses) See information on Stop-The-Clock, time limitations, and appeals process in the front matter of the Catalog with other Graduate School policies. This applies to students doing the certificate on its own, not students doing the certificate along with another degree program in which case the degree time limitation for credit supersedes the certificate time limitation for credit.
Career Opportunities
Our Graduate Certificate in Public Policy equips students interested in public sector work or work influencing the policy process. Many TSU public policy certificate alumni work in state government (may also have completed the MPA); career goals in local or federal government service are also a fit with this program. Other alumni work in nonprofit settings; the certificate is a good fit for nonprofit work focused on policy advocacy specifically, or for those interested in government relations/public affairs regardless of sector.
Faculty Credentials
Our faculty with contact information and links to CVs are listed at https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/people/index.aspx
Program Website
https://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/degrees/policycertificate.aspx
Program Coordinator/Contact Information
Meg Streams, Ph.D., Department Chair
mstreams@tnstate.edu
615-963-7112
Program of Study and Credit Hours Required
This certificate requires 18 credit hours (six (6) courses) to complete
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