Community Engagement Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate Program in Community Engagement develops leaders who can understand how engaging the public can affect public policy and administration. Students will understand the factors leading to the need to engage the community, including the greater complexity of public problems, enduring societal inequities, and increasing reliance on partnerships across sectors. They will also learn methods and tools to draw members of the public with varied perspectives into broader community dialogue regarding difficult issues and effectively facilitate these discussions.

Credits earned in the certificate program may be applied toward the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. However, admission to the MPA degree program has separate requirements from those of the certificate program and students considering continuing into the master's degree should familiarize themselves with credit transfer policy and should consult with the academic advisor early in their certificate program. The Graduate Certificate in Community Engagement requires that students complete 18 credit hours. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average to be awarded the Graduate Certificate. The certificate must be completed within seven years.

Total Credit Hours Required: 18 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Please note: Community Engagement Graduate Certificate may be completed fully online, although not all elective course options or course prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF Online may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.

International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit UCF Global.

UCF is authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in all states. Refer to State Authorizations for current information.

Program Prerequisites

None

Degree Requirements

Core

• Complete the following:
  • PAD5185 - Foundations of Social Justice for Public Service (3)
  • PAD5186 - Policy Advocacy for Social Justice (3)
  • PAD6047 - Deliberative Public Problem Solving (3)
  • PAD6053 - Foundations of Public Administration (3)
  • PAD6439 - Leadership in Public Service (3)
  • PAD6825 - Cross-Sectoral Governance (3)

Grand Total Credits: 18

Financial Information

Fellowship Information

Students must achieve a grade of "B-" (80%) or better in every course. Grades 'C' or lower cannot be used to fulfill certificate requirements. Students must maintain a program of study and graduate status GPA of 3.0 or higher and can only graduate with a graduate status GPA of 3.0 or higher.