Public Budgeting and Finance Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Finance is designed to meet the growing needs in our governments to understand and apply varied and complex budgeting and financial practices. The program is primarily aimed at students who wish to specialize in budgeting and finance careers in the public sector. The certificate curriculum prepares students to pursue the Certified Government Finance Officer designation from the Florida Government Finance Officers Association.

Total Credit Hours Required: 18 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree

This program has potential ties to state-regulated professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-CCIE-Public-Budgeting-and-Finance-GC.pdf.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

• Complete the following:
  • PAD6207 - Public Financial Management (3)
  • PAD6227 - Public Budgeting (3)
  • PAD6616 - Economic Principles for Public Policy and Management (3)

Electives

• Complete at least 3 of the following:
  • PAD5356 - Managing Community and Economic Development (3)
  • PAD5850 - Grant and Contract Management (3)
  • PAD5855 - Introduction to Public Procurement (3)
  • PAD6208 - Nonprofit Financial Management (3)
  • PAD6234 - Public Capital and Debt (3)
  • PAD6254 - Economics of Land Use Planning and Development (3)
  • PAD6260 - Fundamentals of Public Sector Accounting (3)
  • PAD6238 - Revenue Policy and Administration (3)

Grand Total Credits: 18

Application Requirements

Admission is open to those with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

All applicants to this certificate program will be required to submit:

• An official transcript in a sealed envelope from each college/university attended, showing a GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
• A current, professional resume.
• Statement of Goals: This is a key component of the admission review process and serves as an example of the applicant’s ability to express him or herself in writing. The goal statement must be no longer than two pages and should address the following:
• What is your reason for pursing graduate study in Public Budgeting and Finance, including your future goals and plans?
• What specific areas of Public Budgeting and Finance interest you?
• Any previous work experience in the field.
• Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.

Application Deadlines

Students must achieve a grade of “B-” (80%) or better in every course. Grades ‘C’ or lower cannot be used to fulfill certificate requirements. Students must maintain a program of study and graduate status GPA of 3.0 or higher and can only graduate with a graduate status GPA of 3.0 or higher.