Top Schools Advancing Graduate Certificate Programs – 2020 Edition
In the modern workplace, there is an increasing expectation for professionals across different industries to possess a multidisciplinary set of skills, and to also quickly acquire and apply advanced knowledge in their field. To respond to this expectation, which spans a multitude of industries, from advanced practice nursing to special education, finance, data analytics, business leadership, cyber security, public relations, and marketing, institutions of higher education have begun offering graduate certificate programs in industry-specific fields. Designed specifically for working professionals, often with the flexibility of online coursework and online instructor support, graduate certificate programs can be an ideal way for professionals to get the targeted skills they need to advance in their careers.
Graduate degree programs such as master’s degrees have long been the traditional way in which working professionals with a bachelor’s degree gained skills and expertise to advance their career. However, while these full degree programs can be rewarding, they also tend to be both time and cost-intensive. By contrast, graduate certificate programs generally require far fewer courses and are more focused on applied skill development, which allows students to gain advanced skills in less time and at a lower cost. As a result, graduate certificate programs can be a great way to quickly build knowledge and earn credentials to advance one’s career, while also earning credits that may be transferrable towards a future master’s or doctoral degree.
Types of Graduate Certificate Programs
Graduate certificate offerings have become increasingly diverse in order to meet the distinct needs of professionals with specific career interests and goals. Examples of graduate certificate programs include but are by no means limited to K-12 special education, business leadership, cyber security, and media and marketing analytics, just to name a few. There are post-bachelor’s graduate certificate programs, which are suitable for students who hold a bachelor’s degree, and post-master’s certificate programs that require a master’s degree or higher to gain admission. As mentioned above, many graduate certificate programs utilize online learning technologies to make class scheduling more flexible for the working professional; however, there are also campus-based graduate certificate programs, as well as certificate programs that combine campus and online instruction for a hybrid format.
Methodology for Determining Top 25 Colleges and Universities Offering Graduate Certificate Programs
To help students who are interested in graduate certificate programs conduct the research necessary to find the program that best suits their interests and needs, GraduateCertificates.com has curated a list of the top 25 colleges and universities that offer accredited graduate certificate programs. To meet our criteria to be included in this list, a school must:
- Be a non-profit, accredited institution of higher education
- Be one of the top universities or colleges in terms of graduates of either post-bachelors or post-masters certificate programs according to data from the National Center of Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- Offer a minimum of 10 graduate certificates to demonstrate a commitment to post-baccalaureate education and non-degree professional training options
- Offer graduate certificate programs both on-campus and online for working professionals
Learn more about each college or university that made our list below including a representative sample of graduate certificate programs they offer across a diversity of academic and professional disciplines. Students should note that while some programs are offered either on-campus or online, others are offered in both formats for students who do or do not live near the school’s campus.
Due to schools offering varying types of graduate certificate programs, we decided not to rank schools from 1 to 25, but instead, include schools that made our Top 25 in alphabetical order.
Learn More About the Schools Who Made Our Top List for 2020
- Arkansas State University
- Ball State University
- George Mason University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Lamar University
- Liberty University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Oregon State University
- Penn State University and Penn State World Campus
- Portland State University
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- Syracuse University
- Texas A&M University
- The College of Saint Rose
- The George Washington University
- The University of Iowa
- The University of Utah
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Connecticut
- University of Florida
- University of Maryland
- University of Missouri
- University of Southern California (USC)
- Washington State University
- Webster University
Arkansas State University
Based in Jonesboro, Arkansas State University has graduate certificate programs in areas ranging from advanced computer science to finance, nursing, history, and education. Colleges within Arkansas State University that offer graduate certificate programs include but are not limited to the College of Nursing and Health Professions, the College of Engineering & Computer Science, the Neil Griffin College of Business, the College of Education & Behavioral Science, and the College of Liberal Arts & Communication.
Examples of graduate certificate programs offered by Arkansas State University include those in Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Administration, and Nurse Education, as well as certificates in Data Science, Cyber Security, and Computer Science Education. Arkansas State University also has graduate certificate programs in Special Education K-12, Curriculum Director, Marketing, Health Communication, and Addiction Studies. These programs are geared towards working professionals, with some being offered entirely online and others offered on-campus but with evening classes and other accommodations for students who work full or part-time.
Visit School SiteBall State University
Located in Muncie, Indiana, Ball State University offers a rich selection of graduate certificate programs that span numerous departments and schools. Within Ball State University, the Department of Geography, the Department of English, the Department of Mathematical Sciences, the Department of Architecture, the Department of Educational Studies, the Department of Urban Planning, the Department of Political Science, the School of Nursing, the Department of Journalism, and the Department of Environment, Geology, and Natural Resources all offer graduate certificate programs in online and campus-based formats.
Examples of teaching-related graduate certificate programs at Ball State University include those in College and University Teaching, Adult and Community Education, Community College Leadership, and Special Education: Autism, while graduate certificates in the business and corporate spheres include those in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Real Estate Development, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Public Relations, and Corporate Communications. Other graduate certificate programs offered through Ball State University include programs in Sustainability, Emerging Media Design and Development, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, and Criminal Justice and Criminology. Depending on the program they select, students may have the option to complete some or all of their graduate certificate coursework online.
Visit School SiteGeorge Mason University
Located in Fairfax, Virginia, George Mason University offers a wide selection of graduate certificate programs in areas ranging from nursing to education administration, public policy, cyber security, and social justice. Examples of schools and colleges within Mason that offer graduate certificate programs both on-campus and online include the Schar School of Policy and Government, School of Business, College of Education and Human Development, Volgenau School of Engineering, and College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Mason’s College of Education and Human Development offers graduate certificate programs in Education Leadership, Special Education, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Applied Behavioral Analysis, and Education Policy, while its Volgenau School of Engineering has graduate certificates in Applied Cyber Security, Geospatial Intelligence, and Systems Engineering. The Schar School of Policy and Government has certificate programs in National Security and Public Policy, while the School of Business offers graduate certificate programs in Business Analytics and Nonprofit Management. The College of Science offers graduate certificate programs in Geospatial Intelligence and Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Other certificate programs at Mason include but are not limited to those in Women and Gender Studies, Digital Public Humanities, Forensic Accounting, Biodefense, and Wireless Communications.
Visit School SiteJohns Hopkins University
A prominent research university in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins University has a diverse array of graduate certificate programs in many different fields, ranging from the arts to cybersecurity, educational leadership, and organizational management. Schools and colleges at Johns Hopkins University that offer graduate certificate programs include but are not limited to the Whiting School of Engineering, the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (Advanced Academic Programs), the School of Education, the Carey Business School, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Peabody Institute.
Examples of graduate certificate programs available at Johns Hopkins University include the School of Education’s graduate certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis, the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences’ graduate certificates in Biotechnology Education and Sequence Analysis and Genomics, and the Whiting School of Engineering’s graduate certificates in Systems Engineering and Technical Management. The Johns Hopkins School of Education also offers graduate certificates in Educational Leadership for Independent Schools, Gifted Education, and Leadership in Technology Integration, while the School of Nursing has graduate certificates in Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Healthcare Organizational Leadership.
The Bloomberg School of Public Health offers graduate certificate programs in Clinical Trials, Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention and Control, Injury and Violence Prevention, and Maternal and Child Health. While the Carey Business School offers graduate certificates in Financial Management and Investments. Many of the certificate programs offered by Johns Hopkins are offered in-person and online.
Visit School SiteLamar University
Located in Beaumont, Texas, Lamar University offers a diverse selection of graduate certificate programs that facilitate professional advancement in areas such as accounting, journalism, business leadership, and public relations. Lamar University’s College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, and College of Fine Arts and Communication are examples of colleges within the university that offer post-baccalaureate and post-master’s graduate certificate programs.
Graduate certificate programs available at Lamar University include Enterprise Resource Planning, Professional Accounting, and Construction Project Management, as well as graduate certificates in Sports Journalism and Public Relations. The College of Education offers multiple graduate certificate programs designed to prepare students for professional certification in educational leadership.
Visit School SiteLiberty University
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers graduate certificate programs in a broad range of disciplines, from epidemiology to Christian leadership. Liberty University has graduate certificate programs through several of its schools, including the School of Communication and the Arts, the School of Education, the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, the School of Health Sciences, the Helms School of Government, the School of Behavioral Sciences, and the School of Business.
Graduate certificate programs at Liberty University include the School of Health Sciences’ graduate certificate programs in Epidemiology, Global Health, Health Promotion, and Nutrition, and the School of Business’ General Business graduate certificate. The School of Communication and the Arts’ offers a graduate certificate in Applied Communication Studies, the School of Education’s offers graduate certificates in Autism Education and Gifted Education, the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity’s offers graduate certificate programs in Christian Leadership and Theological Studies, and the Helms School of Government’s offers a graduate certificate in Criminal Justice. Liberty University offers many of their programs online, including their graduate certificate programs.
Visit School SiteMissouri University of Science and Technology
Located in Rolla, Missouri, the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) offers a diverse set of graduate certificate programs in areas such as engineering and computing, media, resource planning, technical communication, and web design. Schools and departments within Missouri S&T that offer graduate certificate programs include the Department of Psychological Science, the Department of Economics, the College of Engineering and Computing, the Department of English and Technical Communication, and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business.
Examples of the many graduate certificates that Missouri S&T offers include graduate certificate programs in Systems Engineering, Manufacturing Automation, Business Analytics and Data Science, Business Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Management, Digital Media and Web Design, Enterprise Resource Planning, Applied Workplace Psychology, Geoanalytics and Geointelligence, Technical Communication, Management and Leadership, Business Project Management, Information Systems & Cloud Computing, and Cyber Security. Other graduate certificate programs include those in Digital Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Automation, Mobile Business and Technology, and Business Intelligence. These graduate certificate programs are designed for working professionals seeking to advance in their careers, and therefore many of them have online course components and/or evening classes to accommodate students working full-time.
Visit School SiteOregon State University
Located in Corvallis, Oregon State University has graduate certificate programs across a broad spectrum of disciplines, from the earth and ocean sciences and wildlife preservation to supply chain management, data analytics, and higher education. Among the colleges at Oregon State University that offer graduate certificate programs are the College of Agricultural Sciences; the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences; the College of Business; the College of Education; the College of Public Health and Human Sciences; the College of Engineering; the College of Forestry; and the College of Science.
Environmentally focused graduate certificate programs at Oregon State University include but are not limited to those in Wildlife Management, Forests and Climate Change, Geographic Information Science, Fisheries Management, and Marine Resource Management. Graduate certificates in other fields include programs in Financial Planning, Supply Chain and Logistics Management, Data Analytics, Dual Language Education, Public Health, Rural Policy, and Instructional Design. While some of these programs are offered on-campus, many are offered online to provide maximum scheduling flexibility to working professionals.
Visit School SitePenn State University and Penn State World Campus
Based in University Park, Penn State University has demonstrated a commitment to developing graduate certificate programs that meet student needs. Schools and departments at Penn State that offer graduate certificate programs include but are not limited to the Department of Aerospace Engineering, the College of Education, the School of International Affairs, the School of Labor & Employment Relations, the Department of Geography, the Smeal College of Business, the College of Nursing, the Eberly College of Science, the College of Earth and Mineral Science, the College of Engineering, and the College of Information Sciences and Technology.
In addition, through Penn State World Campus (the online campus for The Pennsylvania State University system), students can also choose from over 50 online graduate certificate programs that are offered in conjunction with schools in the Penn State System including University Park. Penn State World Campus offers graduate certificates in areas such as Accounting, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Business Analytics, Business Management Foundations, Educating Individuals with Autism, Enterprise Architecture, Engineering Leadership and Innovation Management, and Geospatial Intelligence Applications. Other online graduate certificate programs cover Children’s Literature, Cyberthreat Analytics and Prevention, Hospital and Health System Preparedness, Marketing Analytics, Supply Chain Management, Human Resources and Employment Relations, International Affairs, Nurse Administrator, and Nurse Educator.
Visit School SitePortland State University
Located in Portland, Oregon, Portland State University (PSU) offers a myriad of graduate certificate programs both on-campus and online, in fields ranging from urban studies to mental health counseling and criminal justice. PSU’s Center for Executive and Professional Education, The School of Business, College of Education, College of Urban & Public Affairs, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science, and College of the Arts all offer graduate certificate programs. In addition, PSU offers several professional-oriented graduate certificate programs that are the result of interdepartmental collaborations. An example of this is a graduate certificate in Energy Policy and Management, which is offered through a collaboration between PSU’s Departments of Public Administration, Economics, Urban Studies and Planning, Engineering and Technology Management, and Systems Science.
Examples of certificate programs include the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences’ graduate certificates in Applied Conflict Resolution, Computational Intelligence, and Computer Modeling & Simulation. The Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science offers graduate certificate programs in Cybersecurity and Strategic Management of Technology, and the College of Education offers graduate certificates in Early Childhood Education and Infant/Toddler Mental Health. The Hatfield School of Government also has a graduate certificate in Collaborative Governance, and the School of Business’ offers a graduate certificate in the Business of Craft Brewing.
Visit School SiteStevens Institute of Technology
Based in Hoboken, New Jersey, the Stevens Institute of Technology offers several engineering, business, and design-focused graduate certificate programs. The Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering & Science, the School of Business, and the School of Systems & Enterprises are examples of schools within the Stevens Institute of Technology that offer graduate certificate programs in in-person and online formats.
Graduate certificate programs at the Stevens Institute of Technology have a strong engineering and technical management focus. Examples include graduate certificate programs in Computational Social Science, Software Design and Development, Applied Business Analytics, and Corporate Innovation and Leadership. There are also graduate certificate programs in Engineering Management, Machine Learning, Software Systems Architecture, Systems Security Engineering, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Financial Planning, Financial Engineering, Construction Management, and Marketing Analytics.
Visit School SiteSyracuse University
Located in Syracuse, New York, Syracuse University has many different types of graduate certificate programs for professionals who are interested in fields such as government leadership, environmentalism and sustainability, gender studies, and national security. Schools and Colleges at Syracuse University that offer graduate certificate programs include but are not limited to the School of Information Studies, the College of Law, the College of Arts and Sciences, University College, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the School of Education, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
Syracuse University offers graduate certificate programs in Cybersecurity, E-Government Management and Leadership, National Security and Counterterrorism, Public Management and Policy, and Global Health. It also has graduate certificates in Educational Technology, Designing Digital Instruction, Disability Studies, Conflict and Collaboration, Women’s and Gender Studies, Creative Leadership, and Knowledge Management. While some of Syracuse University’s graduate certificate programs are offered on-campus, many of them are online to increase scheduling flexibility for students who are working professionals.
Visit School SiteTexas A&M University
Located in College Station, Texas A&M University offers numerous distinctive graduate certificate programs through a number of its schools and colleges. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Mays Business School, the College of Education and Human Development, the College of Engineering, the College of Geosciences, the Bush School of Government and Public Service, the College of Nursing, the School of Public Health, and the College of Science are all examples of schools within Texas A&M University that offer online and/or campus-based graduate certificate programs.
Examples of graduate certificate programs offered these schools and colleges include those in Business Data Analytics, Cybersecurity Engineering, Homeland Security, Public Management, Applied Statistics, Finance, and Supply Chain Operations. There are also graduate certificate programs in Community Development, Global Health, Hospitality Management, Entrepreneurship, Applied Behavior Analysis, Adult Education, Forensic Healthcare, and Public Health. While some of these programs are campus-based, many of them are offered either fully or partially online, and all graduate certificate programs are designed with the working professional in mind.
Visit School SiteThe College of Saint Rose
Located in Albany, New York, the College of Saint Rose offers graduate certificate programs through numerous schools and departments, including but not limited to its Huether School of Business, Thelma P. Lally School of Education, and the School of Mathematics and Sciences. The College of Saint Rose has diverse graduate certificate options in fields such as mathematics and the sciences, education practice and leadership, and business. Many of these programs feature courses that align with the College of Saint Rose’s master’s programs in the same fields.
The Thelma P. Lally School of Education offers graduate certificate programs in Adolescence Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Organizational Leadership in Higher Education, Quality Control in Higher Education, School Counseling, Special Education, Teaching English as a Second Language, and more. The Huether School of Business offers graduate certificate programs in Business Analytics, Financial Planning, and Organizational Leadership and Change Management. The School of Mathematics and Sciences also offer a graduate certificate program in Internet Programming. Many of these programs are offered online as well for students who do not live near the campus in Albany.
Visit School SiteThe George Washington University
Located in Washington, D.C., The George Washington University (GW) offers in-person and online graduate certificate programs in areas such as advanced business and organizational change, special education, engineering, and data science. Schools within The George Washington University that offer graduate certificate programs include the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, College of Professional Studies, School of Medicine and Health Science, and School of Nursing.
Examples of graduate certificate programs at GW include the School of Business’ graduate certificates in Analytics for Managers, Financial Management, Strategic Management, and Tourism Management, and the Graduate School of Education and Human Development’s graduate certificates in Educational Leadership and Administration, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Transition Special Education. GW also offers graduate certificate programs in Organizational Leadership and Change, Environmental Engineering, Data Science, Strategic Governance and Political Management, Health Policy and Media Engagement, Geographical Information Systems, and Computer Security and Information Assurance.
Visit School SiteThe University of Iowa
Located in Iowa City, Iowa, The University of Iowa offers numerous graduate certificate programs, many of which are offered online, to facilitate the career advancement of professionals across prominent industries, including nursing, social work, business management, and public health. Their certificate programs are offered by several schools and colleges within the university, indicating their commitment to advancing graduate certificate education and serving the growing population of professionals seeking efficient, advanced professional training. The College of Nursing, School of Social Work, College of Education, Tippie College of Business, and College of Public Health at The University of Iowa all offer graduate certificate programs.
Examples of graduate certificate programs include the Tippie College of Business’ graduate certificates in Business Analytics, Business Fundamentals, and Finance, and the College of Nursing’s post-graduate certificate programs in Health Systems/Administration, Pediatric Acute Care, Pediatric Primary Care, Psychiatric-Mental Health Care, Adult/Gerontology Acute, and Adult/Gerontology Primary Care. The College of Public Health also offers a certificate program in Healthcare Management, and one in Public Health.
Visit School SiteThe University of Utah
Based in Salt Lake City, the University of Utah offers graduate certificate programs in fields ranging from data science and information systems to advanced nursing concepts and practices. The David Eccles School of Business, the College of Education, the School of Computing, the College of Nursing, and the College of Humanities are all examples of schools within the University of Utah that offer graduate certificate programs in campus-based and/or online formats.
Graduate certificate programs that are available include those in Business Analytics, Information Systems, Public Policy, Community College Leadership & Teaching, and Data Science. The College of Nursing also offers numerous nursing-related graduate certificates, including those in Nursing Informatics, Family Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Care Management, Gerontology, and Nursing Education. Depending on the specific graduate certificate program, students may be able to complete some or all of the coursework for their certificate online.
Visit School SiteUniversity of Cincinnati
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the University of Cincinnati has demonstrated a commitment to graduate professional education and training through its numerous graduate certificate programs. The University of Cincinnati’s College of Nursing; College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services; College of Allied Health Sciences; College of Arts & Sciences; College of Engineering and Applied Science; College of Medicine; Carl H. Lindner College of Business; James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy; College of Engineering and Applied Science; and College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning all offer graduate certificate programs in industry-specific fields that aim to support students’ advanced and targeted career goals.
Examples of graduate certificate programs offered through the University of Cincinnati’s various colleges include those in Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Biomedical Informatics, Corporate Finance, Data Science, Cyber Operations, Higher Education Leadership, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Crime Analysis and Prevention, Business Foundations, Real Estate, and Urban Design. Many of these graduate certificate programs are designed for working professionals in that they deliver some or all of their coursework online, and/or have in-person classes scheduled in the evenings to accommodate individuals who work full or part-time.
Visit School SiteUniversity of Connecticut
Based in Mansfield, the University of Connecticut offers a diverse array of graduate certificate programs in fields such as public health, sustainability, and education leadership. The schools, departments, and colleges at the University of Connecticut that offer graduate certificate programs include but are not limited to the Neag School of Education; the School of Business; the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources; the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the School of Nursing; the School of Engineering; the Department of Public Policy; the Department of Geography; the Department of Digital Media and Design; and the Department of Educational Psychology.
Examples of graduate certificate programs offered by the University of Connecticut include those in Digital Marketing Strategy, Digital Media and Design, Project Management, and Digital Humanities and Media. Graduate certificates that relate to human and/or environmental health include those in Global Risk Management, Sustainable Environmental Planning and Management, and Healthcare Innovation, while programs dedicated to education leadership include graduate certificates in Applied Behavior Analysis, Gifted Education & Talent Development, and Special Education Transition to Adulthood. Other graduate certificate programs at the University of Connecticut include those in Accounting Analytics, Leadership and Diversity in Sport Management, Nonprofit Management, and Geographic Information Systems.
Visit School SiteUniversity of Florida
Based in Gainesville, the University of Florida (UF) has worked to build a robust selection of graduate certificate programs through its numerous colleges, including the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the College of Public Health & Health Professions, the College of Medicine, the College of the Arts, the College of Journalism and Communications, the College of Health and Human Performance, the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, and the College of Design, Construction and Planning.
Examples of graduate certificate programs offered by UF include the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences’ graduate certificate in Tropical Agriculture, the College of the Arts’ graduate certificate in Museum Studies, and the College of Health and Human Performance’s graduate certificate in Sport Event Management. UF’s College of Journalism and Communications offers a graduate certificate program in Science/Health Communication, while the College of Design, Construction and Planning has graduate certificates program in Geographic Information Systems for Urban and Regional Planners, and Emergency Services/Disaster Management.
The College of Public Health & Health Professions offers graduate certificates in Addiction and Recovery, and Public Health, while the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (a partnership between UF and federal and state government departments) offers a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. While some graduate certificates offered by UF are designed to be completed on-campus, many are also available online for distance studies.
Visit School SiteUniversity of Maryland
Located in College Park, the University of Maryland offers career-focused graduate certificate programs across a diversity of disciplines, from engineering to economics, finance, and journalism. The University of Maryland’s College of Arts and Humanities; College of Behavioral and Social Sciences; A. James Clark School of Engineering; College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences; School of Public Health; School of Public Policy; School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation; College of Education; The Robert H. Smith School of Business; College of Information Studies; and The Philip Merrill College of Journalism all have graduate certificate programs to serve a wide range of professional interests and goals.
Examples of graduate certificates offered through the University of Maryland include programs in Public Financial Management, Real Estate Development, Geospatial Information Sciences, Project Management, Principles of Public Health, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cybersecurity Engineering, Economic Analysis, and Financial Risk Management. The University of Maryland also offers graduate certificate programs in Principles of Public Health, Global Health, Applied Counseling and Human Services, Multimedia Journalism, Communication Management, Curation and Management of Digital Assets, and Leadership in Diverse Organizations.
Visit School SiteUniversity of Missouri
Located in Columbia, Missouri, the University of Missouri has numerous graduate certificate programs in fields ranging from agricultural and natural resource management to data science, public affairs, and journalism. The schools within the University of Missouri that offer graduate certificate programs include but are not limited to the College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; the College of Arts & Science; the Trulaske College of Business; the College of Human Environmental Sciences; the College of Education; the School of Journalism; the Institute for Data Science and Informatics; the School of Medicine; the College of Engineering; the School of Health Professions; the Sinclair School of Nursing; and the Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs.
Examples of graduate certificate programs offered through the University of Missouri include those in Conservation Biology, Life Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Society and Sustainability, Agroforestry, and Geographical Information Science. The University of Missouri also has graduate certificate programs in human health-related fields such as Applied Behavior Analysis, Public Health Communication, Gerontological Social Work: Gerontology, Global Public Health, and Epidemiology. Other graduate certificates in a variety of fields include those in Digital Humanities, Investments, Sports Analytics, Public Management, Nonprofit Management, Interactive Media, and Data Science and Analytics. Many of these programs are offered either partially or fully online, and the programs that are in-person are structured to accommodate working professionals seeking to advance their careers while still working full-time.
Visit School SiteUniversity of Southern California (USC)
Located in Los Angeles, CA, the University of Southern California (USC) offers a wide array of graduate certificate programs in numerous fields from business to engineering to social justice. Several different schools and departments offer graduate certificates demonstrating USC’s commitment to post-baccalaureate education. These include but are not limited to the Marshall School of Business; Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism; Rossier School of Education; Viterbi School of Engineering; Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; and the Price School of Public Policy.
Examples of programs include the Marshall School of Business’ graduate certificates in Business Analytics, Strategy Management and Consulting, and Optimization and Supply Chain Management, the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism’s graduate certificate in Health Communication Management, the Viterbi School of Engineering’s graduate certificate in Big Data Fundamentals, and the Price School of Public Policy’s graduate certificates in Political Management, Public Management, and Social Justice.
Many of USC’s schools and colleges also offer online graduate certificate programs. For example, the Marshall School of Business offers an online Library and Information Management graduate certificate, the Viterbi School of Engineering offers online graduate certificates in Astronautical Engineering and Systems Architecting and Engineering, the Dornsife College of Letters and Sciences offers graduate certificates in Geospatial Intelligence and Geographic Information Science and Technology, and the Price School of Public Policy offers an online graduate certificate in Homeland Security and Public Policy.
Visit School SiteWashington State University
Located in Pullman, Washington, Washington State University (WSU) offers a wide variety of graduate certificate programs in health-related fields, management, and professional communication, among other areas. The College of Nursing, the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, the Murrow College of Communication, the Carson College of Business, and the School of Biological Sciences are all examples of schools within WSU that offer graduate certificate programs.
Health-related graduate certificate programs include programs in Bioinformatics, Bioethics, and Public Health, while communication and media-related graduate certificate programs include those in Strategic Communication and Health Communication. WSU also offers graduate certificate programs in Engineering and Technology Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Leadership, Systems Engineering Management, Marketing, Finance, Hospitality Business Management, International Business, Project Management, and Six Sigma Quality Management. As these graduate certificate programs are geared towards working professionals, many of them have online course elements (or are offered fully online), while others have classes in-person that are scheduled around the typical workday.
Visit School SiteWebster University
Based in the St. Louis suburb of Webster Groves, Missouri, Webster University offers career-focused graduate certificate programs in disciplines such as nursing and healthcare, teaching and education leadership, corporate and organizational management, and the environmental and life sciences. Webster University’s College of Arts & Sciences, School of Communications, George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology, and School of Education all offer multidisciplinary graduate certificate programs, many of which have online course options to increase course scheduling flexibility for working professionals.
Examples of graduate certificate programs at Webster University include those in Gerontology, Applied Gerontology Enhancement and Specialization, Healthcare Leadership, Science Management and Leadership, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Nonprofit Management. In addition, there are graduate certificate programs with a business focus such as those in Corporate Entrepreneurship, Organizational Development and Change, International Development, Project Management, and Digital Marketing Management. Education-related graduate certificate programs include programs in Mobile Technology in Education and Online Teaching and Learning. Data science and security focused options include the Cybersecurity - Threat Detection graduate certificate program.
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