COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Learn more about the graduate certificate in Public Policy.

About the Certificate

Public policy plays a key role in virtually every aspect of social life. Governments at the federal, state and municipal levels make laws, issue regulations, levy taxes and spend money in ways that can have profound impacts on a variety of important and challenging issues that we confront as a society, including access to affordable healthcare, climate change, control of epidemics, homeland security, immigration, income inequality, reproductive rights, unemployment and underemployment, and many others.

The Public Policy certificate’s curriculum gives students a foundation in the themes, concepts and tools of public policy that orient them to the activities of federal, state and municipal governments and the nonprofit and for-profit organizations that work closely with them. Students in the certificate program who earn a "B" or better in their coursework and are admitted into the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program have the certificate credits applied toward completion of the MPP. 

Time Limit for Certificate Completion: 2 years

Campus Location: Center City for in-person instruction or Online with a combination of asynchronous and synchronous evening components

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The graduate certificate can be completed on a part-time basis. NOTE: International students may not be eligible to apply for a student visa based on admission to the certificate program. Please contact the certificate program's administrator for more information.

Job Prospects: The Public Policy certificate program is intended primarily for graduate students who seek preparation for better jobs in the public and nonprofit sectors as well as academia. Completion of the certificate signals to employers that the student has a solid foundation in concepts, knowledge and practical tools of public policy making, including creation, implementation, evaluation and analysis.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students may take up to 9 credits of coursework before applying to the graduate certificate program.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Fall and Spring: Admission is rolling.

Submit your application at https://forms.gle/1HsoprYS5z3DDggU8.

Questions should be directed to mpp@temple.edu.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: Applicants already admitted to a graduate degree program at Temple University have demonstrated that they possess the required bachelor's degree. Applicants not currently enrolled in a Temple University graduate degree program and applicants enrolled in a graduate degree program at another university must submit official transcripts for all coursework taken since high school, whether or not a degree was earned from the institution(s). Evidence of the award of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale must be shown. Transcripts should be sent to mpp@temple.edu.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Currently Enrolled in a Temple University Graduate Degree Program: Submit these additional materials via email to mpp@temple.edu:

• Two letters of recommendation from persons in a position to evaluate the applicant’s academic ability and accomplishments
• A personal statement of approximately 250 words indicating interests, plans and objectives within the field of public policy
• Current resume

Certificate Requirements

Number of Credits Required to Complete the Certificate: 12

Required Courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
ECON 5102	Economic Decisions and Public Policy	3
GUS 5165	Community Based Program Evaluation	3
PLCY 8118	The Policy-Making Process	3
PLCY 8119	Policy Analysis	3
Total Credit Hours		12

GPA Required to be Awarded the Certificate: 3.0 minimum

Contacts

Department Contacts: