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.
Objectives of the Public Financial Management Certificate
The objectives of the graduate certificate program in public financial management are to prepare professionals by 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 is a great need for well-prepared finance professionals. 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 is a response to this need for qualified professionals in this fast growing 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 of the proper ways to track revenue and spending, analytic tools necessary to analyze and maintain excellent financial position, understanding of the major financial issues facing public and nonprofit organizations, ability to assess and implement appropriate financial systems, and the education and outlook to act efficiently, effectively, and ethically.
Course Sequence
The Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management requires 12 credits of coursework. There are two strongly recommend courses. These two classes along with short descriptions are listed below.
PP 318 Financial Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations. 3 credits. This course focuses on the management of financial resources in public service organizations.
PP 317 Capital Financing and Budgeting. 3 credits. This course is designed to familiarize students with capital budgeting techniques and the municipal bond market.
Students are required to take two additional courses to complete the certificate. Students may take courses different from the ones listed below to meet the certificate requirements with the approval of the certificate program director. Courses offered by the Department of Public Policy that meet the certificate requirements include:
PP 325 Labor Relations and Public Financial Management. 3 credits. This course is designed as an overview of two key interrelated areas in the field of public finance: public financial management and labor relations. Students learn to analyze the costs of compensation methods, health benefits, post-retirement benefits, leave practices, privatization and other mechanisms to increase efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
PP 322 Evaluating Public Programs. 3 credits. This course focuses on the techniques and analyses used to evaluate public programs.
PP 397 Investment Analysis. 3. credits. This course focuses on how government and nonprofit managers can appropriately manage their organizations’ cash and investments.
PP 397 Topics in Financial Management and Budgeting. 3 credits. This course follows in sequence the "PP 318 Financial Management for Public and Nonprofit Organization" course and covers topics such as cash and investment management, pension management, and risk management, among others.
In addition, courses offered in other departments at the University of Connecticut can meet Graduate Certificate requirements including ECON 330 Federal Finance, ECON 334 State and Local Finance, and ACCT 323 Cost Analysis and Control.
Administrative Home
The Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management is located in the Department of Public Policy (DPP). DPP is also the home for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, the Master of Survey Research (MSR) program, and the Graduate Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management (PNPM).
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 Budgeting for Public Service Organizations, Analytic Tools for Public Problems, and 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 will be 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. Applicants are required to submit a statement of goals and objectives, course transcripts, a resume reflecting the applicant's experience in the field, and letters of recommendation.
Please note that the Certificate is not an eligible program for Financial Aid through the UConn Student Financial Aid office.
For information regarding the application form call Valerie Rogers at 860-570-9343.
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.
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