Graduate Certificate Public Policy at Arizona State University

Programme overview

This certificate program in public policy is designed to give you analytical techniques and conceptual frameworks for understanding policy issues as well as for identifying potential solutions and applying these skills to relevant issues. You'll learn within Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, where the focus is on public service and community-driven solutions.

What you will study

15 credit hours Required Core (9 credit hours) PAF 505 Public Policy Analysis (3) PAF 540 Adv Policy Analysis (3) PAF 541 Program Evaluation (3) Electives (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The electives are chosen from a list of preapproved courses and are selected with the faculty advisor.

Career pathways

Students who receive 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.

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. Students from related fields (e.g., public administration, political science, planning, urban and metropolitan studies, sociology and other social science fields) might be interested in this 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

Intake: Fall, Spring, Summer

Duration: 15 credit hours

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

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