Graduate Certificate in Local Government

Graduate Certificate

This certificate prepares students to become well-versed in the forces that shape the agendas of the public sector, including those of municipalities, counties, regional authorities and councils of government. Additionally, students gain an understanding of government management and policy making.

The Program at a Glance

School: School of Public Affairs Campus: CU Denver Classroom: Online and on campus classes Recommended completion time: 1 Year Credits required for completion: 12 Maximum transfer credits: 0 Application deadline: Fall: August 1; Spring: December 1; Summer: May 1

The Details

Students interested in obtaining a concentration in Local Government within a Master of Public Administration program must apply and enroll in the MPA program within the School of Public Affairs and must adhere to all master degree program requirements.

Review CU Denver's Academic Policies.

Program requirements

  • The Graduate Local Government Certificate requires 12 credit hours of coursework.
  • Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, with a minimum grade of B- in each course.

Required courses

Students must complete the course below, for a total of 3 credit hours. 

  • PUAD 5503 - Public Budgeting and Finance (3 credit hours)

In addition, students must complete at least one of the three courses below, for a total of 3 credit hours.

  • PUAD 5625 - Local Government Management (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5626 - Local Government Politics and Policy (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5628 - Social Problems and Policies (3 credit hours)

All course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Academic Catalog.

Elective courses

In addition to the required courses, students must complete two PUAD or URPL graduate elective courses from the list below or that have been approved by their advisor, for a total of 6 credit hours. All course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Academic Catalog.

  • PUAD 5130 - Collaboration Across Sectors (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5170 - Strategic Management for Nonprofit and Public Managers (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5220 - Human Resource Management (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5250 - Intergovernmental Management (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5260 - Managing Diversity (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5271 - Managing Conflict and Change (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5380 - Citizen Participation: Theory and Practice (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5410 - Administrative Law (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5440 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5460 - Political Advocacy (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5502 - Public Financial Management and Policy (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5632 - Seminar in Environmental Management (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5650 - Public Service in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (3 credit hours)

Admissions Requirements

View the admissions requirements for the School of Public Affairs.