In today's public sector, credentialing matters more than ever. The Graduate Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management — the only university-approved certificate of its kind at Rutgers — offers early-to mid-career professionals a rigorous, graduate-level foundation in the skills that define effective public service leadership: management, budgeting, organizational behavior, human resources, and technology.
Developed and taught by Rutgers faculty with deep expertise in public affairs, this certificate carries real academic weight. It appears on your official Rutgers University transcript, and all 12 graduate credits earned can be applied toward future admission to the Rutgers-Camden Executive MPA or on-campus MPA program. Whether you are looking to advance within your current organization, build credentials for a new opportunity, or begin a graduate degree journey on your own terms, this certificate gives you a nationally recognized credential from one of the nation's leading public universities — four courses at a time.
Program Outcomes
- Advance your career in a government agency or nonprofit organization
- Lead and manage teams effectively in complex public sector environments
- Apply budgeting and financial literacy to real public management challenges
- Leverage technology and digital tools for modern public management
This certificate is university-approved and recorded on your official Rutgers transcript — the only Public and Nonprofit Management graduate certificate at Rutgers. The 12 credits earned may be applied toward future admission to the Rutgers-Camden Executive MPA or on-campus MPA.
Who Should Apply?
- Government professionals:
Local, state, and federal employees looking to formalize their management expertise and advance within their organizations - Nonprofit managers:
Leaders and emerging leaders in nonprofit organizations seeking practical, graduate-level training in management and operations - Early- to mid-career professionals:
Those ready to accelerate their career with a recognized Rutgers credential that sets them apart in a competitive public sector job market - Future MPA candidates:
Professionals exploring graduate study who want to begin earning transferable credits before committing to a full degree program
Format & Delivery
Flexible options to fit your schedule.
- Fully Remote
Complete coursework online via Canvas with live synchronous class sessions on Zoom — no campus visit required. - In-person — Camden
Attend on the Rutgers–Camden campus with access to university resources, library, and the greater Philadelphia region. - In-person — Princeton
Convenient off-campus location serving professionals throughout central and northern New Jersey.
Certificate Requirements
Choose any four courses from the list below. Each course carries 3 graduate credits, for a total of 12 credits upon completion. Courses are offered online or in person.
| Course | Credits | When Offered |
| Public and Nonprofit Management | 3 | Summer · Fall |
| Organizational Behavior | 3 | Fall · Summer |
| Introduction to Public Budgeting | 3 | Fall · Spring |
| Technology for Public Managers | 3 | Fall · Spring |
| Human Resources Management for Public Managers | 3 | Fall · Spring |
Credits earned in this certificate program can be applied toward future admission to the Rutgers-Camden Executive MPA (EMPA) or the on-campus Master of Public Administration (MPA). Each course completed with a grade of B or better counts toward your MPA degree requirements. Start building graduate credentials now, at your own pace — and apply to the full degree when you're ready.
Application Requirements
- Online non-degree application
- Unofficial undergraduate transcript
- Current résumé
Program Costs
2025-2026 Tuition Estimates
New Jersey Residents:
Full certificate (12 cr): $10,308
Out-of-State & National:
Full certificate (12 cr): $16,980
Frequently Asked Questions
No — the certificate is designed to be completed at your own pace. You may take one course per semester and finish over two years, or accelerate by taking two courses simultaneously. There is no required sequence, and courses are offered across fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Yes. Each course completed with a grade of B or better may be applied toward the Rutgers-Camden on-campus MPA or Executive MPA (EMPA) program upon admission. This certificate is explicitly designed as an on-ramp to the full degree. Credits are graduate-level and appear on your official Rutgers transcript.
Yes. All courses can be completed fully online through Canvas, Rutgers' learning management system. Each course includes synchronous class meetings via Zoom, so you will engage live with faculty and fellow students. You are never required to come to campus. In-person options at Camden and Princeton are also available for those who prefer a classroom setting.
The Mini-MPA™ is a professional development certificate focused on practical skills for public managers, completed as a single intensive program. The Graduate Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management is a formal academic credential: it is university-approved, recorded on your official Rutgers transcript, and carries 12 graduate credits that can be applied toward an MPA degree. It is ideal for professionals seeking a credential with academic standing, career advancement value, and a built-in pathway to graduate study.
No prior graduate degree is required. Applicants need an undergraduate degree, an unofficial transcript, and a current résumé. This is a non-degree certificate program, so the application process is straightforward and does not require GRE scores, letters of recommendation, or a statement of purpose.
Yes. As a university-approved graduate certificate, successful completion is recorded on your official Rutgers University academic transcript — making it a verifiable, permanent credential that carries real weight with employers and graduate admissions committees.
The Princeton off-campus location is at 900 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536 — conveniently accessible from Princeton, Trenton, and the surrounding central New Jersey area. Contact CELG for specific room and parking information prior to your first class session.
Out-of-state students may be eligible for Dean's Graduate School Differential Awards on a competitive basis. Many participants also receive tuition support from their employers — government agencies and nonprofits frequently offer professional development funding. Contact CELG to learn more, or visit the Rutgers Graduate School financial aid page.
Contact
Center for Executive Leadership in Government | Dr. Angie McGuire Graduate Director, Executive MPA (EMPA) — Rutgers-Camden angie.mcguire@rutgers.edu (848) 932-4750 |