University of Connecticut Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management
http://www.dpp.uconn.edu/graduate/graduate_certificate_public.html
The Department of Public Policy offers a Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management (PFM). The Graduate Certificate is available to existing UConn students and working professionals. The PFM course of study is held at the Greater Hartford Campus in West Hartford.
The objectives of the Graduate Certificate program in Public Financial Management are to prepare professionals through education, outlook, and commitment for leadership positions in the finance areas of public and nonprofit organizations. Students in the certificate program will undergo a thorough course of study in this important sub-area of public policy and management.
There are about 87,000 governments and about 1.2 million public benefit nonprofits in the United States. These organizations require professionals to manage their finances. The Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management was created as a response to the need for qualified professionals in this sector of the economy. Students completing the course of study will be equipped with the skills and competencies important for leading the finance function in public and nonprofit organizations. These competencies include: understanding the proper ways to track revenue and spending, using analytic tools to analyze and maintain excellent financial position, understanding the major financial issues facing public and nonprofit organizations, assessing and implementing appropriate financial systems, and acting efficiently, effectively, and ethically.
Course Sequence
Below are the courses recommended for completion of the Certificate. Certificate students and their advisors decide the most appropriate course of study.
PP 5318 Financial Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations. 3 credits. This course focuses on the management of financial resources in public service organizations.
PP 5317 Capital Financing and Budgeting. 3 credits. This course is designed to familiarize students with capital budgeting techniques and the municipal bond market.
PP 5373 Budgeting in Public Service Organizations. 3 credits. Processes and techniques of public budgeting; the principles and roles of budgets in public service organizations; analytic tools, concepts, and principles of budget analysis and decision making.
PP 5397 Investment Analysis. 3 credits. This course focuses on how government and nonprofit managers can appropriately manage their organizations’ cash and investments.
PP 5325 Labor Relations & Public Financial Management. 3 Credits. This course focuses on the negotiation of labor contracts the analyzing the cost implications of these contracts.
Administrative Home
The Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management (PFM) is located in the Department of Public Policy (DPP). DPP is also the home for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, the Graduate Program in Survey Research (GPSR), the Graduate Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management (PNPM), and the Graduate Certificate in Survey Research (SR).
The University of Connecticut MPA program is ranked #7 nationally in Public Finance and Budgeting by U.S. News and World Report. The UConn MPA program is ranked in the top 25% of all programs and is first among public institutions in New England. This ranking reflects the fact that the UConn MPA program is a small but very high quality program.
Courses in the Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management can be used to meet concentration area requirements in the MPA program. MPA core courses, such as PP 5364 Public Finance and Budgeting, PP 5375 Analytic Tools for Public Problems, and PP 5342 Policy Analysis have direct application to public financial management. In addition, MPA students can choose to do an internship with a finance organization and write their capstone project on a research topic that pertains to public financial management.
Location
The Department of Public Policy's location at the Greater Hartford Campus is minutes from the State Capitol, the center of policy-making in the state. It is linked by interstate highway to two of the nation's most exciting urban areas: Boston (100 miles) and New York City (115 miles). Students have available an abundance of cultural, sports, and recreational activities within close proximity to the Greater Hartford Campus.
Application Process
Admission to the program is based on an assessment of the applicants' potential to succeed in graduate study. Applicants are evaluated based on their demonstrated aptitude for graduate study, experience, and academic achievement.
Click here for detailed application instructions.
Please note that the Certificate is not an eligible program for Financial Aid through the UConn Student Financial Aid office.
Contact Us
For more information about the Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management contact Valerie Rogers, Department of Public Policy Administrative Program Director, at 860-570-9343.