Originally sent on February 13 to students pursuing a graduate degree in COSSPP who might be eligible to apply for a Graduate Certificate Program.
Get the most of out Grad School!
Graduate Certificate Programs Application:
Now Open for Summer and Fall 2025
If you’re interested in enhancing your graduate school experience by taking specialized coursework, apply for a COSSPP Graduate Certificate today!
Applications are open now until March 15 to be admitted in Summer 2025 and until July 1 to be admitted for Fall 2025 (exceptions may apply depending on the program, please read details below).
What are Graduate Certificates?
Graduate certificate programs, ranging 12 to 21 credit hours, offer specialized coursework to enhance students’ academic and professional experience. Students can pursue a certificate in addition to a master’s or doctoral degree or enroll in a stand-alone certificate program for personal or professional growth. While college credit certificates are not degrees, they officially document specialized training on a student’s transcript and serve to supplement educational or career goals. To earn a graduate certificate, students must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA in all 5000-level and above graduate courses applied toward the certificate, as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin’s Academic Standards Policy.
The College of Social Sciences & Public Policy houses six (6) certificate programs open to degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students:
- Digital Applied Social Science (DS)
- General Public Administration (DS and NDS)
- Civic and Nonprofit Leadership (DS)
- Florida City and County Management (DS and NDS)
- Public Financial Management (DS and NDS)
- Public Health Epidemiology (DS and NDS)
*DS= Available to Degree Seeking Students
*NDS= Available to Non-Degree Seeking Students
How to Apply to a Graduate Certificate Program
To be admitted to a graduate certificate program, students must have already completed an undergraduate degree. Formal application to the certificate program is required; simply taking related courses does not constitute enrollment. This application must be submitted before completing more than two courses (6 credit hours) applicable to the certificate program. No exceptions to this policy will be made.
Prospective students can review program-specific information and application requirements (such as resumes or personal statements) below. It is recommended that applicants gather all necessary materials before beginning the application process.
Dates and Deadlines
| To be enrolled in a certificate programbeginning in a ____ semester | Application opens | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Second week of Fall classes | November 1 |
| Summer | Second week of Spring classes | March 15 |
| Fall | Second week of Spring classes | July 1 |
| Digital Applied Social Science -Fall admissions only | Second week of Spring classes | April 1 |
More information
For more information about each individual Graduate Certificate Program application and course requirements, please visit the Graduate Certificate Programs page on our website.