Certificate Program Overview

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Post-baccalaureate certificates provide students with opportunities to further career goals and grow as a professionals. These accredited certificate programs are designed for working professionals. They are shorter than degree programs, and transferrable to some degree programs. The schedules for the programs are flexible and offered at various times. All certificate programs are taught by University faculty members and are approved by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.


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Certificate in Early Childhood Policy

The Early Childhood Policy Certificate builds students' expertise in applying research-based knowledge to public policies affecting young children and the adults who care for them. Students complete 12 credits of coursework, including a cornerstone Early Childhood and Public Policy course, a policy elective course, and an open elective course.


Certificate in Election Administration

The Certificate in Election Administration is an online 12-credit program designed with maximum flexibility for those experienced individuals already managing state and local election offices, as well as those seeking to become part of the next generation of creative and committed leaders. 

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Nonprofit Management

Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Created for professionals in nonprofit organizations, the graduate-level Certificate in Nonprofit Management offers specific knowledge and skills related to human resource development, organizational evaluation, finance, conflict resolution, and decision-making. The curriculum is designed for individuals who do not have formal training in the business aspects of managing a nonprofit organization.


Certificate in Policy Issues on Work and Pay

The Policy Issues on Work and Pay Certificate provides professionals in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors with insight and ability to better understand and evaluate federal, state, and local policies that affect the employment relationship.

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Certificate in Public Affairs Leadership

Intended for working professionals, the Certificate in Public Affairs Leadership offers mid-career professionals specific knowledge and skills in leadership, management, public policy, and analysis to succeed in today's challenging environment. This nine-month, executive education training program stands on its own or can be a steppingstone to the mid-career Master of Public Affairs degree. 


Certificate in Sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance Leadership

The Sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance Certificate program is an in-person, 12-credit program that focuses on public policy and sustainability concepts relevant to modern organizational positions. Developed through a collaboration between the Carlson School of Management, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and the Institute on the Environment (IonE), this program incorporates hands-on experiences into the coursework, preparing you to apply proven strategies when collaborating on sustainability initiatives, enabling you to design and implement ESG improvements in a variety of job sectors.

Certificate in Sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance Leadership