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Arizona State University Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions 2 courses 15 total credits
ASU ranks No. 11 for best graduate public affairs programs by U.S. News & World Report, 2025. Through comprehensive coverage of topics in public administration, management and policy, you discover the challenges of management in the graduate certificate program in public administration, learn how to lead a public organization and understand the process of policy development. The program is designed to give you a solid foundational understanding of administration, leadership and policy analysis in service to the public good.
| Required Core | 6 credits |
| Electives | 9 credits |
| Total Credits | 15 credits |
Required Core
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PAF 503 | Public Affairs | 3 |
| PAF 505 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Total Required Core | 6 credits | |
Electives
Additional Curriculum Information
Electives are chosen from a list of preapproved courses and are selected with the faculty advisor. The faculty advisor directs the selection of the electives to ensure they focus on a common theme and to see that the student's experiences in the courses align with the learning goals outlined for the certificate. For the electives, the student must select any three 3-credit PAF courses at the 500 level. Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") and to have no more than one grade below a "B-" in courses taken to complete the certificate program.
Click a course code or title to read the full course description.
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