The Department of Public Policy offers a Graduate Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management (PNPM). The Graduate Certificate is available to existing UConn students and working professionals. The PNPM course of study is held at the Greater Hartford Campus in West Hartford.
Course Sequence
There are three tracks to completing the PNPM Certificate: Nonprofit Management; City Management and Urban Policy; and Public Policy and Management. The Certificate requires 12 credits (four courses) chosen in consultation with an academic advisor. Each track is described below:
Nonprofit Management Track
The Nonprofit Management track prepares professionals by education, outlook, and commitment for leadership positions in nonprofit organizations. Students in this track will undergo a rigorous course of study in a sub-area of public policy and management designed to develop the skills necessary to manage, lead, and conduct effective organizational change.
Nonprofit is an organizational form that includes such diverse activities as: day-care centers, community and international development organizations, soup kitchens, foster care facilities, employment and training centers, community-based arts and cultural associations, affordable housing, fire protection, sports and recreation activities, environmental work, health and hospitals, and other public services. Therefore, this track focuses on the nonprofit organizational form, not the substantive service area.
Students completing the course of study will be equipped with the following skills and competencies important for leading nonprofit organizations: the ability to lead an efficient and effective organization; an understanding of financial systems and the ability to acquire revenue; the ability to get the greatest benefit from boards of directors and volunteers; knowledge of how to track and evaluate performance; and the skills to maintain necessary accountability systems.
Examples of courses available to students in the Nonprofit Management Track are listed below. This list of courses is for illustrative purposes only-the actual course of study will be tailored to meet students' career goals.
PP 323 Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations.
PP 322 Evaluating Public Programs.
PP 325 Labor Relations and Public Financial Management.
PP 318 Financial Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations.
PP 324 Resource Development for Nonprofit Organizations.
City Management and Urban Policy Track
The City Management and Urban Policy track comprised of three interrelated components: public management, urban policy, and program evaluation.
- Public management. This includes human resource management, financial management, and general skills for managing public organizations.
- Urban policy. This area focuses on developing solutions to address the key issues facing urban areas, such as improving the quality of education or reducing poverty.
- Program evaluation. Program evaluation methods underpin the public management and urban policy components. Program evaluation techniques allow public managers to continually improve service and make wise decisions about service delivery options. Program evaluation is also a critical component of developing successful urban policy.
Some examples of courses that could be used to complete the City Management and Urban Policy Track include:
PP 322 Evaluating Public Programs.
PP 317 Capital Financing and Budgeting.
PP 397 Policy Analysis Tools.
PP 397 Introduction to City Management and Urban Policy.
PP 394 Social Policy.
PP 325 Labor Relations and Financial Management.
Public Policy and Management Track
This track serves students interested in a general course of study in public policy making and managing public organizations.
Administrative Home
The Graduate Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management is located in the Department of Public Policy (DPP). DPP is also the home for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, the Master of Survey Research (MSR) program, and the Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management (PFM).
The UConn MPA program is ranked solidly in the top 25% of all programs. UConn first among public institutions in New England. This ranking reflects the fact that the UConn MPA program is a small but very high quality program. The University of Connecticut MPA program is ranked #7 nationally in Public Finance and Budgeting.
Courses in the Graduate Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management can also be used to meet concentration area requirements in the MPA program. MPA core courses, Organization Theory, Organizations and Management,, Human Resource Management, and Budgeting for Public Service Organizations have direct application to public and nonprofit management.
Location
The Department of Public Policy's location at the Greater Hartford Campus is minutes from the State Capitol, the center of policy-making in the state. It is linked by interstate highway to two of the nation's most exciting urban areas: Boston (100 miles) and New York City (115 miles). Students have available an abundance of cultural, sports, and recreational activities within close proximity to the Greater Hartford Campus.
Application Process
Admission to the program will be based on an assessment of the applicants' potential to succeed in graduate study. Applicants are evaluated based on their demonstrated aptitude for graduate study, experience, and academic achievement. Applicants are required to submit a statement of goals and objectives, course transcripts, a resume reflecting the applicant's experience in the field, and letters of recommendation.
Please note that the Certificate is not an eligible program for Financial Aid through the UConn Student Financial Aid office.
For information regarding the application form call Valerie Rogers at 860-570-9343.
Contact Us
For more information about the Graduate Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management contact Valerie Rogers, Department of Public Policy Administrative Program Director at 860-570-9343. |
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