Graduate Certificate Participatory Governance at Arizona State University

Programme overview

This transdisciplinary certificate program combines academic rigor with practical skills. You examine the main theories and research findings on participatory governance and public engagement, and familiarize yourself with past and current democratic innovations in the U.S. and around the world.

Faculty: Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions | Department: School of Public Affairs | Duration: 15 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Tempe, AZ, United States

What you will study

15 credit hours Required Core (9 credit hours) Choose three of the following courses: PAF 530 Management of Urban Government (3) PAF 531 Community Conflict Resolution (3) PAF 565 Theories and Practices of Democracy (3) PAF 566 Participatory Governance and Civic Engagement (3) Electives (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Electives are chosen from a list of preapproved courses and are selected with the faculty advisor.

Career pathways

Graduates with this certificate are prepared to pursue a career in a field related to public administration or public policy, particularly in the areas of participatory governance and public engagement. Possible positions include manager or policy analyst in a local, state or federal agency; nonprofit organization; or private organization that interfaces with the public sector.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of career and educational goals proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. International students who need an F-1 or J-1 visa first need to apply to and be accepted into a graduate degree program prior to being considered for the certificate program.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Duration: 15 credit hours

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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