Gender, Leadership & Public Policy Certificate

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Gender, Leadership & Public Policy Certificate

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Prepare for leadership roles by exploring policy impacts at the intersection of gender, race/ethnicity, and class.

UMass Boston's award-winning Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy (GLPP) Certificate is one of the few programs in the country that explores the intersectional influence of gender, race/ethnicity, and class in the context of the larger policy environment. This certificate prepares students to serve at all levels of government, take on leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, hold elected office, and pursue advanced degrees in law, public policy, and other areas. GLPP graduate certificate students can also opt to apply for the Master of Public Administration (MPA)-GLPP track; if accepted, you can earn an MPA in only one additional year.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the GLPP graduate certificate program move into leadership positions in

the public sector, including elected or appointed positions in the legislature or government agencies at the municipal and state levels
nonprofit organizations focused on issues of advocacy
research centers and think tanks
the private sector including human resource offices, diversity programs, and corporate social responsibility initiatives

Many also continue onto further graduate studies, generally in law and public policy.

Women of Color and Public Leadership: Impacts and Successes

Watch the video of this June 2023 virtual admissions event for prospective students in the Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy graduate programs (certificate and MPA-GLPP track). Entitled "Women of Color in Public Leadership: Impacts and Successes," the event had a special focus on BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and gender diverse communities and all their allies. MA Senator Liz Miranda was the keynote speaker. The event was co-sponored by the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC).

For any questions or assistance, please contact Graduate Program Director Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson at LA.NsiahJefferson@umb.edu.

We invite you to "Request Info" (via the form on this page) to join our email list.

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Plan Your Education

How to Apply

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of recognized standing or an international equivalent at the time of enrollment
A minimum, cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent) in all undergraduate work
Official transcripts for all institutions where you have earned more than 6 credits; if your transcript is in a language other than English, please include an English translation, validated by an official public translator
Statement of purpose
Two (2) letters of recommendation
If applicable, request official TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo scores to be sent to the University of Massachusetts Boston

Deadlines & Cost

Deadlines: July 1 for fall; November 1 for spring (online certificate only)

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.

Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website.

Curriculum

Core Courses (12 Credits)

PUBADM 619 - WPPP: Contemporary American Public Policy Issues 3 Credit(s)
PUBADM 623 - WPPP: Women in American Politics and Policy Making 3 Credit(s)
PUBADM 628 - Research Methods for Policy Analysis 3 Credit(s)
PUBADM 629 - Leadership and Organizations: Gender, Power and Authority 3 Credit(s)

Internship Courses (6 Credits)

PUBADM 622 - WPPP Fall Internship 3 Credit(s)
PUBADM 624 - WPPP: Spring Internship 3 Credit(s)

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Graduation Criteria

Complete 18 credits from six courses including four core courses and two internship courses.

Internship: Complete 10-16 hours per week at their internship site, for a minimum of 160 hours during a minimum 4-month period, over the course of the academic year.

Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy (GLPP) graduate certificate students can also choose to apply for the Public Administration (MPA) - Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy Track, and complete an MPA in just one additional academic year plus one summer.

Statute of limitations: Three years.

Contact

Graduate Program Director Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson
LA.NsiahJefferson [at] umb.edu

Hearing on immigration and higher ed at Kennedy Institute.

Public Policy & Public Affairs

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Next Steps

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National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA)

SARA Compliance, Disclosure & Dispute Resolution
UMass Boston programs are designed to meet the requirements for licensure or certification in Massachusetts. Please contact your state licensing or certification board to determine whether the program meets the requirements for licensure or certification in other states.

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