Certificate
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring
On-Campus, Online
About the Public Affairs and Management Certificate at Loyola
The Public Affairs and Management Certificate will give you the background to assume leadership roles in government, nonprofit organizations, or businesses after only one year of work. You'll develop a set of core technical skills needed in government or nonprofit work and explore opportunities to tailor your courses to your career needs.
Our location in downtown Chicago puts you in one of the nation's most significant areas for research and career opportunities in urban politics. Hands-on courses will expose you to the urban environment in which you’ll work while equipping you with the latest technical skills you need to confront public affairs challenges and develop solutions.
Program Structure
The Public Affairs and Management Certificate is a four course, 12-credit hour program. The coursework covers skill areas relevant to public service, such as budgeting and financial management, project management, and program evaluation. The program also offers courses related to the political environment of government agencies and the nonprofit environment, including public policy processes, urban politics, and political feasibility analysis.
The certificate can be completed in one year of full-time study by taking two classes per semester or two years of part-time study by taking one class per semester. Classes are held once a week at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago. Many courses are also available online.
Why Choose Loyola for Your Public Affairs and Management Certificate?
- An urban location that's a classroom
- Small class sizes
- Networking opportunities
- Built for your busy schedule
- Credits can count toward a master's degree
- 1-on-1 career guidance
Our location in downtown Chicago provides a unique opportunity for involvement in public affairs at all levels—neighborhood organizations, city and county agencies, and offices of state and federal government.
You'll have the opportunity to build in-person relationships with faculty, mentors, and peers in your cohort.
Through our strong alumni connections, you'll have the support of like-minded peers and industry mentors from across the city and beyond.
Our weekly evening classes, online or on-campus, give you the flexibility to work either part- or full-time during the day while continuing your studies.
If you decide to pursue a Master’s degree after completing the certificate, credits from certificate classes with a grade of ‘B' or higher can transfer into the Master of Arts in Urban Affairs (MAUA) or the Master of Public Policy (MPP) — potentially 12 credits out of the 31 credits for the MAUA or 12 out of 37 credits for the MPP.
A dedicated advisor from the MUAPP faculty will help you choose your courses based on your career stage and goals ensuring that your educational investment adds the kind of value that you need.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Continuing and Professional Studies faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Public Affairs and Management Certificate program.
Faculty and StaffPublic Affairs and Management: Career Connections
Completing the certificate provides you with the basic foundations of public affairs and management and prepares you for a variety of careers related to government agencies, especially local governments and nonprofit organizations.
Our graduates become policymakers and staff members in government offices and pursue community leadership roles and careers at the executive level within government and nonprofit agencies.
Specific job options include:
- Policy analyst
- Fiscal or budgeting analyst
- Staff in political offices
- Grant writer
- Executive director
- Program manager
- Communication director
- Budget director
- Policy analyst
- Executive press and communications
- Corporate communications
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Public Affairs and Management Certificate program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Public Affairs and Management Certificate learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogPublic Affairs and Management Certificate Results and Skills
In successfully completing your Public Affairs and Management Certificate, you will have proven your ability to:
- Apply political and communications skills within the context of an urban environment
- Make use of strong policy and financial analysis skills
- Analyze community and economic development in cities
- Apply leadership and decision-making skills in public policy
- Apply technical skills and industry tools in areas like project management, cost-benefit analysis, program evaluation, and public budgeting
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your return to school a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Public Affairs and Management Certificate totals $13980.00, or 12 credit hours at a cost of $1,165.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
Public Affairs and Management Certificate Scholarships
For detailed information about tuition, costs, and aid, please visit the SCPS Tuition & Financial Aid page.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Public Affairs and Management Certificate are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall: February 15
Spring: November 30
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Public Affairs and Management Certificate include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2 Letters of Recommendation
2.7 Minimum GPA
Statement of Purpose
Official Documents
Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Public Affairs and Management Certificate program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
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