Student Experience

Support for Students in our Certificate Programs

Once you are admitted to one of our certificate programs, you will have the option to work with our student success coach. The coach is here to help you through the enrollment process, and develop a custom program plan based on your preferred academic timeline. Once you're taking courses the success coach will ensure you're aware of the academic resources available to you, and will be present to help you stay on-track with course assignments. 

We know life happens particularly for adult and professional learners who have many variables impacting their lives. If a life event requires you to adjust your academic plans, the student success coach is a resource to help you adjust your academic plan accordingly. 

Standard Course Schedule 

The certificate can be completed in 12 months by enrolling in 2 courses per term. Classes are typically scheduled as follows. Please note that SCPS may cancel, modify, or make substitutions as deemed necessary in any given semester, which may affect the length of time to complete the certificate.

Required Courses

PSPA 5000 - Introduction to Public Administration
Offered Every Semester – Currently offered Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025

PSPA 5010 - Public Policy Analysis 
Offered Every Other Semester – Currently offered Summer 2024, Spring 2025, and Fall 2025

PSPA 5020 - Public Organization Management
Offered Every Other Semester – Currently offered Fall 2024, Summer 2025, and Spring 2026

PSPA 5030 - Public Budgeting & Financial Management
Offered Every Other Semester – Currently offered Fall 2024, Summer 2025, and Spring 2026

Electives

BUS 5010 - Cybersecurity Management 
Offered Each Spring & Fall

HR 5020 - Staffing and Career Management 
Offered Every Other Semester – Currently offered Summer 2024, Spring 2025, and Fall 2025

HR 5115 - Workforce Inclusion, Equity and Belonging
Currently offered Fall 2024. Standard schedule to be determined.

PC 5010 - Procurement Policy & Practices 
Offered Every Semester

PSLP 5300 - Foundations of Leadership 
Offered Every Semester

PSLP 5330 - Communication and Team Development 
Offered Every Other Semester – Currently offered Spring 2025, Fall 2025, and Summer 2026

PSPA 5040 - Ethics 
Not currently scheduled.

PSPM 5030 - Introduction to Project Management 
Offered Every Semester

Browse this semester's course offerings or use the SIS Class Search to find classes offered this semester.

The information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements.

Transfer Partnership

Old Dominion University ODU - Public Administration

SCPS students earning a certificate in Public Administration are eligible to apply and transfer their credits into Old Dominion University’s (ODU) online Master of Public Administration. No more than twelve (12) credit hours of graduate course work earned at UVA may be applied to Old Dominion University’s online Master of Public Administration. Below are the identified course equivalencies applicable to the graduate degree.

Public Administration Courses
University of Virginia Courses	ODU Courses	Transferable Credits
PSPA 5000 Introduction to Public Administration	PADM651: Administrative Theory I - The Context of Public Administration	3
PSPA 5010 Public Policy Analysis	PADM701: Public Policy and Evaluation	3
PSPA 5020 Public Organization Management	PADM652: Administrative Theory II - The Process of Public Administration	3
PSPA 5030 Public Budgeting and Financial Management	PADM671: Public Budgeting and Financial Management	3
PSPA 5050 Environmental Policies and Practices	PADM695: Advanced Topics	3

Find out more