FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 8, 2008
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Public administration certificate at MUW targets individuals in government

COLUMBUS, Miss. - The public administration certificate now being offered at Mississippi University for Women is the perfect opportunity for individuals to hone their skills related to government work.

The 15-credit program provides a foundation in the field of public administration and was designed for people already working for government agencies or non-profits.

According to Dr. Michael Burger, chair of the Department of History, Political Science, and Geography at MUW, many people, with degrees in everything from forestry to art history, wind up working for government agencies or non-profit organizations.

“A good liberal arts education will give them the skills and knowledge to flourish, but such people may still lack more specialized skills and knowledge that pertain to government work. The certificate program is a package of courses that meets that need.”

Courses focus on public management, public budgeting and human resources management. An analytical course to aid in understanding organization behavior is also part of the course work.

Dr. Sandra Jordan, MUW provost and vice president for academic affairs, said, “MUW’s Executive Certificate Program in public administration prepares individuals to succeed as managers in local, state and federal government and in the non-profit sector. Clearly, individuals who take advantage of the Executive Certificate Program will gain a strategic advantage by studying with highly credentialed faculty while building a powerful peer network that will translate to accelerated success in the workplace.”

Local public service professionals are lauding the benefits of the program.

Dave Basinger, Lowndes County chief financial officer, said, “People working their way through the ranks should benefit from the professional training in courses such as public budgeting and human resources management.”

City of Columbus Chief Operations Officer David Armstrong added, “It’s something I feel strongly about. There is a tremendous need for professional public administrators.”

Online and evening courses are offered, and the certificate is available under MUW’s new online Life-Long Learner application. Life-long learning status affords an opportunity for individuals to enroll in a few courses of specific interest to them without completing the regular application. Individuals applying to MUW as Life-Long Learners may enroll in classes for academic credit or they may audit courses (no academic credit is awarded).

For more information, visit
http://www.muw.edu/academic-programs/executive-certificate/pubic-administration.php or
call the MUW Office of Admissions at (662) 329-7106.