Certificate in Public Finance
Download the Public Finance Certificate Brochure (requires Adobe® Reader®)
The 5-course graduate-level certificate in Public Finance is for working professionals and graduate students interested in a specialized public finance focus. It can be completed in one year of part-time study or in combination with another graduate program, including the MGA.Public finance classes are taught by distinguished professionals with expertise in public and nonprofit budgeting, financial management, pensions, government bonds, government auditing, privatization, and other related subjects. 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
The certificate requires a combination of core (required) courses and electives. 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. Core course requirements 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.
To complete the certificate program in Public Finance, students must have completed a course in microeconomics in another program that is approved by the Fels advisor or must complete as a prerequisite:
GAFL 621: Economic Analysis in the Public SectorThe certificate also requires a combination of core (required) courses and electives, which are offered on Saturdays and weekday evenings. Each course requires approximately 36 hours of in-class time and meets once per week. The three core courses are:
GAFL 515: Public Investment Banking
GAFL 722: Budgeting and Financial Management for Nonprofit and Public Entities
GAFL 783: Public Financial Management
The Fels Public Finance 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 652: Auditing Municipal Government Performance
GAFL 727: Managing Public Funds: The Treasury Function
GAFL 729: Financial Management for Nonprofit Institutions
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, contact Karen Kille, Student Services Coordinator, at karener@sas.upenn.edu.