The Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Public Management requires 12 credits (4 courses) chosen from the list below. Other courses may be used with Graduate Program Director approval. Visit our course schedules to view semester options.

PP 5319 Program Development and Evaluation (3 credits, online asynchronous, spring)
This course is geared toward professionals who are engaged in, or preparing to enter, the nonprofit sector. The course will focus on program development and program evaluation, their interconnectedness, and how that interconnectedness can support nonprofit professionals in increasing program effectiveness. Topics include program planning frameworks, program development, performance measurement, performance management, data collection, and evaluation.

PP 5324 Grant Writing and Government Contracting (3 credits, online asynchronous, spring)
This course will provide the student with the core understanding and approaches to researching private and government grants to fulfill the work of a nonprofit. The course provides a strong grounding in grant and proposal writing that supports the usage of program outcomes, financial, and qualitative data to “tell the story” of a nonprofit and its case for financial support. The course also provides a strong foundation in the skills essential to responding to RFPs for government contracts for service provision, along with examining the pros and cons of contracting with government agencies. In addition, the course will focus on the holistic organizational system approach to responding to grants and government contract RFPs, along with collaborative multi-agency collective strategies which can strengthen proposals and the impact of final deliverables.

PP 5349 Public Procurement and Contracting (3 credits, in-person, fall)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the principles of contract formulation and administration in public procurement.  The growing significance of contracting out and outsourcing in the public sector requires the availability of procurement specialists that are educated and comfortable with best practices in procurement activities from the identification of the need through the close out of contact activities.  Students will learn about best practices for effective contracting relationships between the public and private and nonprofit sectors. 

PP 5357 Policymaking and Legislation (3 credits, in-person, spring)
This course will introduce students to the role and processes of Connecticut’s General Assembly. Topics for discussion will include formal and informal rules and procedures by which legislation is developed and enacted, other legislative authority such as approving regulations and oversight, the impact of elections on the legislative process, methods of tracking and researching legislation, legislative bill drafting, and the role of the public and other stakeholders in shaping and influencing the legislative process. Students will participate in classes and complete assignments designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Connecticut’s legislative process and begin to develop the skills necessary to substantively participate in that process.  Guest speakers will include legislators and others with roles in the legislative process.

PP 5363 Local Government Management and Leadership (3 credits, online synchronous or in-person, fall or spring)
In this course students will examine the characteristic functions of local government management, such as finance & administration, human services, parks & recreation, planning & zoning, public safety, and public works. The focus will be on understanding of the structure and role of local governments, learning about issues critical to the operation and effectiveness of local governments in Connecticut and elsewhere, and gaining an appreciation for current trends in public management thought and practice.

PP 5365 Human Resource Management (3 credits, in-person or online asynchronous, spring)
In this course students learn about public and nonprofit managers’ human resource management responsibilities. The course covers personnel functions such as job analysis and design, recruitment and selection, and performance appraisal. A portion of this course is devoted to understanding how to influence employees’ learning, growth and performance through motivation, effective communication and feedback, and professional development. This course also covers current issues within human resource management such as diversity at work, labor-management relations, and volunteer management.

To be awarded a certificate, a student must satisfactorily complete (with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher) a set of courses specified in the certificate program requirements. Please see the Graduate School Academic Regulations for further information.

Admission to the program is based on an assessment of the applicant’s potential to succeed in graduate study. Applicants are evaluated based on their demonstrated aptitude for graduate study, experience, and academic achievement. Learn more about our admissions process. 

Visit our Cost and Financial Aid page for more information about this certificate program.