Certificate in Politics
Download the Politics Certificate Brochure (requires Adobe® Reader®)
The 5-course graduate-level certificate in Politics is for working professionals and graduate students interested in a specialized politics focus. It can be completed in one year of part-time study or in combination with another graduate program, including the MGA.Politics classes are taught by distinguished professionals with expertise in lobbying, getting elected to office, negotiating intergovernmental agreements, working through the policy process and dealing with the media. Because the certificate classes are also classes within the Fels Master of Governmental Administration program, students are quickly welcomed into the extended Fels family of faculty, alumni, students, and staff.
Certificate Requirements
To complete the certificate program in politics, students must complete two required courses and three electives. Core course for non-MGA certificate students should be taken in the executive format on Saturdays. Elective course requirements may be taken by certificate students whenever the courses are offered. Each course requires approximately 36 hours of in-class time and meets once per week. The two required courses are:
GAFL 631: Politics, Policy, and Public Service
GAFL 732: Public Management
The Fels Politics Certificate Director will advise certificate students on elective courses based on the students' area of interest. Among the courses currently offered from which students may meet the elective requirements are:
GAFL 502. Public Speaking
GAFL 504. Elected Office: A Congressional Perspective
GAFL 530. Leadership and Politics
GAFL 532. Big City Politics: How to Pass Municipal Legislation
GAFL 560. Women Leaders and Emerging Democracies
GAFL 561. Dealing with the Media
GAFL 562: Special Topics in Women Leaders and Emerging Democracies
GAFL 570: The Classics and American Government
GAFL 710 Topics in Government
GAFL 715. Local Elective Politics
GAFL 716. State Elective Politics
GAFL 760. Intergovernmental Management
GAFL 761. Government Relations (Lobbying)
GAFL 792. Contracting for Public Services
Students may take one elective anywhere in the university with the pre-approval of the Fels advisor but must complete one of their electives at Fels.
Admissions Requirements
All applicants should apply online. Click here to apply.
Certificate applicants must have a bachelor's degree and be admittend to the certificate program by application through the Fels Admissions Office. There are three options for enrolling in the certificate program:
Working Professionals
Working professionals can apply to the certificate program by completing an interview and submitting 3 letters of recommendation, official copies of undergraduate transcripts and any graduate coursework, a 1-page personal statement, an application form, and a $70 application fee. (GREs are not required)
Penn Students in Other Programs
Penn graduate students can apply to the certificate program by completing an interview and submitting official undergraduate transcripts, a 1-page personal statement, an application form, and a $70 application fee. Letters of recommendation may be transferred from the student’s primary program. One class may be transferred from the student's primary school, pending approval from a Fels advisor.
Fels MGA students
Fels MGA students can apply to the certificate program by submitting an application and personal statement (recommendation letters and transcripts are not required).
Admissions Deadlines & Fees
Students may begin the certificate program in the fall, spring, or summer term.
Tuition and general fees for the 2007-2008 academic year for the School of Arts & Sciences are $4,509 per course. The tuition rate may vary for students enrolled in degree programs in other Penn departments.
For more information regarding the Fels certificate program, contact Michelle Garcia-Navarro, Admissions Director, at garciana@sas.upenn.edu. For information regarding courses or registration, please contact Karen Kille, Student Services Coordinator, at karener@sas.upenn.edu.