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 nine (9) 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)
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DS and NDS)
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems (DS and NDS)
- U.S. Intelligence Studies (DS and NDS)
*DS= Available to Degree Seeking Students
*NDS= Available to Non-Degree Seeking Students
Admissions 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
Students must submit their Graduate Certificate application before completing 6 credit hours that count towards the certificate. Applications will be open each semester from the second week of class until the 12th-week deadline. See deadlines below for the upcoming semesters.
*The Digital Applied Social Sciences certificate program only admits students for the Fall semester and applications must be submitted by April 1st of the previous Spring semester.
| To be enrolled in a certificate program beginning in a ____ semester | Application opens | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | Second week of Spring classes | April 4, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | Second week of Summer classes | July 18, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 | Second week of Fall classes | November 14, 2025 |
| Digital Applied Social Science – Fall admissions only* | Second week of Spring classes | April 1 |
Other Considerations
Although a C- grade or better earns course credit, a minimum 3.0 overall GPA is required for all graduate certificates to be awarded. Some certificates may have additional GPA requirements. All certificate coursework must be taken at the graduate level (5000 and above), completed at Florida State University, and cannot be transfer credit from another institution. Coursework may not be applied to two different certificates, but it can count towards both a certificate and a graduate degree.
The certificate program coordinator will review completed programs within two weeks of final grades being posted. Approved completions will then be forwarded to the Registrar’s Office for processing and posting to the official transcript.
Graduate Certificates in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
Digital Applied Social Science
Digital communication technologies and AI are transforming society at an unprecedented pace, driving a growing demand for professionals with expertise in both digital technologies and social sciences across academia and industry.
FSU’s Graduate Certificate in Digital Applied Social Science (DASS) prepares students to meet this demand by providing advanced training in digital social sciences. Students learn to collect, process, analyze, and visualize digital data to tackle complex social science questions. Additionally, DASS students gain hands-on experience with innovative computational tools such as network analysis, natural language processing, social simulations, and generative AI. This technical training is grounded in a strong foundation for applying ethical frameworks to evaluate current and emerging technologies.
Students must complete 18 credit hours to earn the certificate. The program includes four required courses (12 credit hours) and two elective courses (6 credit hours) chosen from an approved list. Transfer credits are not accepted.
Program of Study:
18 credit hours, to consist of:
- Required courses (12 hours) of:
- LIS 5411 Intro to Information Policy
- SYA 5306 Data and Society
- SYA 5340 Computation Tools for Social Science Research
- SYO 5936 Media and Society
- Electives (6 hours), chosen from:
- COM 5235 Crisis Communication
- COM 5364 Foundations of Digital Media
- LIS 5341 Data Organization
- LIS 5786 Introduction to Information Architecture
- LIS 5751 Computers as Persuasive Technology
- LIS 5782 Database Management Systems
- SPC 5545 Studies in Persuasion
Admission and Application Requirements
Eligibility is limited to graduate students currently enrolled in the College of Communication and Information, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, College of Social Work, or the College of Business. Students from other colleges and non-degree-seeking students are not eligible.
Applicants must have a minimum 3.50 GPA in graduate coursework completed at the time of application. If they have not yet completed graduate coursework, a 3.50 GPA in the last two years of undergraduate study is required.
Applications must be submitted before completing 6 credit hours toward the certificate. If more than 6 credit hours have been completed, the application may not be processed.
In addition, students must submit the following:
- Letter of reference from FSU faculty member
- Statement of purpose (max 2 pages):
- Unofficial Transcript
Public Health Epidemiology
The Graduate Certificate in Public Health Epidemiology provides graduate-level instruction on the concepts, methods, and training in epidemiology focused on practical, applied skills. This certificate delivers the basis to promote the health of populations and prevent disease through the study of health-related events. In addition, students will gain the knowledge and tools to analyze health outcomes and trends, assess epidemiologic public health data and program impact, and utilize public health surveillance. This certification will provide training in population health for health practitioners, such as medical doctors and nurses.
Program of Study
12 credit hours, to consist of:
- PHC 5001 (3) – Public Health Epidemiology
- PHC 5003 (3) – Chronic Disease Epidemiology
- PHC 6002 (3) – Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- PHC XXXX (3) – Social Epidemiology
Admission and Application Requirements
Student must submit the complete online application by the semester deadline.
General Public Administration
The Askew School of Public Administration offers an executive development program, which leads to a Certificate in Public Administration. Typically, participants are public administrators who hold bachelor’s degrees but who have not yet entered a graduate degree program. Students currently enrolled in the Master’s of Public Administration program are not eligible for this certificate program. Applicants register as non-degree students in a simplified process, which does not require formal admission to graduate studies. Up to twelve hours (four courses) of credit earned in this program may later be applied to the MPA upon admission to that program.
Program of Study
18 credit hours, to consist of:
- MPA Core courses (9 hours) from:
- PAD 5050 The Profession of Public Administration
- PAD 5106 Public Organizations
- PAD 5227 Public Financial Management
- PAD 5417 Human Resource Management
- PAD 5035 Policy Development and Administration
- PAD 5700 Research Design in Public Administration
- PAD 5701 Quantitative Analysis in Public Administration
- Public Administration electives (9 hours)
One elective (3) can be from an outside, related field, per MPA Director approval.
Admission and Application Requirements
Student must submit the complete online application by the semester deadline.
Civic and Nonprofit Leadership
Designed primarily for students who already hold or wish to assume nonprofit leadership roles. It will also be of interest to students in government agencies or private businesses that deal extensively with nonprofits. The nonprofit certificate emphasizes the distinctive features of nonprofit organizations and provides management skills and knowledge that are helpful, specifically for civic and nonprofit leaders.
Program of Study
18 credit hours, to consist of:
- Required courses (6 hours):
- PAD 5142 Managing the Nonprofit Organization
- PAD 5174 The Independent Sector
- Capstone Essay
- Two electives from (6 hours):
- PAD 5173 Nongovernmental Organizations
- PAD 5208 Budget and Finance in Nonprofit Organizations
- PAD 5335 Strategic Leadership for Communities
- PAD 5206 Fundraising and Fund Development
- Two more electives from (6 hours):
- PAD 5041 Public Service Ethics
- PAD 5327 Public Program Evaluation
- PAD 5397 Foundations of Emergency Management
- PAD 5417 Human Resource Management
- PAD 5826 Intergovernmental Management and Relations
- PAD 5828 Nonprofits, Nongovernmental Organizations, and Disasters
- PAD 5859 Managing Public Procurement
Capstone Essay
A capstone essay that combines knowledge gained through the program and the student’s unique topical interests is to be prepared at the culmination of the program of study. The essay can be accomplished in one of three ways:
- A non-credit essay on a topic chosen jointly by the student and faculty advisor and evaluated by one or more of the faculty.
- A Capstone Essay (PAD 6908) prepared for the MPA degree that focuses on some aspect of nonprofit management or the nonprofit sector. If this alternative is undertaken, it must be in addition to the other 18 credits required for the certificate.
- An assigned final paper that satisfies the requirements of one of the courses in the program of study. The paper in the third alternative must be approved both by the instructor for the course and the MPA Director.
Admission and Application Requirements
Student must be a degree-seeking student at Florida State University. Student must submit the complete online application by the semester deadline.
Florida City and County Management
This program includes skills and knowledge appropriate for practicing managers and all those interested in Florida City and County Management. The certificate requires twelve credit hours of graduate course credit in public administration. It is taught in partnership with the Center for Florida Local Government Excellence.
Program of Study
12 credit hours, to consist of:
- Required course (3 hours):
- PAD 5809 Local Government Administration
- Electives from (9 hours):
- PAD 5335 Strategic Leadership for Communities
- PAD 5397 Foundations of Emergency Management
- PAD 5826 Intergovernmental Management and Relations
- PAD 6136 Seminar: Management Studies in Government
- PAD 6207 Financial Resources Administration
- PAD 6226 Public Budgeting Simulation and Issues
- PAD 5121/6300 Governmental Administration in Florida
Admission and Application Requirements
Student must submit the complete online application by the semester deadline.
Public Financial Management
Topics covered in this program conform to those recommended by the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management of the American Society for Public Administration. To obtain the certificate, students complete two required courses and four additional elective courses selected from a list of courses offered through the Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, the Department of Accounting, the Department of Economics, and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
Program of Study
18 credit hours, to consist of:
- Required courses (6 hours):
- PAD 5227 Managing Public Financial Resources
- PAD 6207 Financial Resources Administration
- Electives from (12 hours):
- PAD 5327 Public Program Evaluation
- PAD 5041 Public Service Ethics
- PAD 5859 Managing Public Procurement
- PAD 5935 Seminar in Public Administration: Selected Topics (1-3) [Public Finance]
- PAD 6226 Public Budgeting Simulation and Issues
- PAD 6721 Policy Analysis Research Seminar
- ACG 5505 Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting and Auditing
- ECO 5505 Public Finance
- URP 5261 Forecasting for Plan Development
- URP 5731 Planning for Community Infrastructure
Admission and Application Requirements
Student must submit the complete online application by the semester deadline.
Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Emergency Management is a growing field in the US and beyond. Florida specifically has one of the most robust Emergency Management and Homeland Security programs in the country, and is often at the leading edge of innovation and research in the field. The highly respected EMHS Certificate includes skills and knowledge appropriate for practicing managers and all those interested in Emergency Management training. Students complete a variety of classroom and real-world experiences, and develop critical skills for working in the field of emergency management.
Program of Study
Students must complete 15 credit hours to earn the certificate. The program includes two required courses (6 credit hours) and three elective courses (9 credit hours) chosen from an approved list. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Exceptions are made at the discretion of the Program Director.
- Required courses (6 hours):
- PAD 5397 Foundations in Emergency Management
- PAD 5398 Emergency Management Programs, Planning, and Policy, or PAD 5377 Advanced Topics in Terrorism
- Elective courses (9 hours):
- To view the approved list of elective courses, please visit: https://em.fsu.edu/certificate-tracks.php
Admission and Application Requirements
Student must submit the complete online application by the semester deadline.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
State and local emergency managers have shown intense interest in what UAS (drones) can do for the field of emergency management, particularly emergency response, recovery and mitigation. While the use of UAS in these fields is expected to increase, experts are rare and even fewer are cross trained in management of these systems and the fields in which they are applied.
The UAS Certificate includes practical, hands-on usage of the technology as well as guidance in the regulatory frameworks, requirements, and realities of using this data in a variety of fields. Please note that while this certificate is not equivalent to the FAA’s Part 107 license, students who successfully complete the certificate will be well positioned to pass the Part 107 exam.
Program of Study
Students must complete 15 credit hours to earn the certificate. The program includes three required courses (9 credit hours) and two elective courses (6 credit hours) chosen from an approved list. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Exceptions are made at the discretion of the Program Director.
- Required courses (9 hours):
- PAD 5079 Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Emergency Management
- PAD 5078 Application of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Pre/co-requisite: PAD 5079)
- PAD 5935 Geospatial Intelligence in Emergency Management
- Elective courses (6 hours):
- To view the approved list of elective courses, please visit: https://em.fsu.edu/certificate-tracks.php
Admission and Application Requirements
Student must submit the complete online application by the semester deadline.
U.S. Intelligence Studies
Growth in the US Intelligence Community has placed new importance on training analysts and decision makers. Those who successfully complete this certificate will learn real world approaches to solving complicated problems through courses on: analysis methods; critical thinking; plain-language writing; policy development; national security; and terrorism and conflict. Students may also choose interdisciplinary electives to hone knowledge of regions and cultures relevant to the current climate, such as Russia, the Middle East, and China.
Program of Study
Students must complete 15 credit hours to earn the certificate. The program includes two required courses (6 credit hours) and three elective courses (9 credit hours) chosen from an approved list. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Exceptions are made at the discretion of the Program Director.
- Required courses (6 hours):
- PAD 5849 U.S. Intelligence Policy
- PAD 5896 U.S. Intelligence Analysis and Communication
- Elective courses (9 hours):
- To view the approved list of elective courses, please visit: https://em.fsu.edu/certificate-tracks.php
Admission and Application Requirements
Student must submit the complete online application by the semester deadline.