Online Graduate Certificate in Public Administration Put Policies Into Practice

9
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Serve Your Community with a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration
You enjoy developing creative solutions to problems. You’re passionate about making a difference in your community and beyond. You want to continue your education but can’t commit to a full-length master’s degree.
If that sounds like you, Liberty’s Graduate Certificate in Public Administration online is a great option. This program seeks to help equip students like you to become Christ-centered scholars, politicians, and public administrators. You can learn how to implement government policies, protect freedom and justice, and develop public programs that serve the common good.
Public administrators are responsible for carrying out public policy in a cost-effective manner and designing programs that benefit citizens. Whether you want to work in the private or public sector, our public service certificate can help you pursue the next step in your career.
Your officially conferred certificate name will be Graduate Certificate in Public Administration.







Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked among Niche.com's Top 5 College Campuses in America
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose Liberty University’s Public Administration Certificate Program?
Our certificate courses in public administration are offered 100% online with no set login times. You can complete your classes whenever and wherever it’s most convenient for you — even from the comfort of your home!
The best part? You can earn this public administration certificate online in only 9 credit hours. This program is a great option for those seeking a fast, flexible path to graduation.
Do you want to study under seasoned faculty who teach from a biblical worldview? If so, Liberty is for you! Our professors have years of experience working in government and public affairs. They can help you integrate ethical principles with professional knowledge, allowing you to stand out as a person of integrity in the workplace.
At Liberty, you won’t have to sacrifice quality for flexibility. We are accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). You can be confident that your certificate from Liberty has met rigorous academic standards and accreditation requirements.
Earning a certificate is a great way to pursue higher-level jobs or potentially switch career paths altogether. At Liberty, you can also develop vital skills that can help you work more effectively in your current position.
What Will You Study in Our Public Administration Online Courses?
Liberty’s online public administration courses can help equip you for a rewarding career in public service. You can learn how to implement policies and projects that improve operations, boost team morale, and fulfill important objectives. With this knowledge, you can prepare to lead with excellence in a nonprofit or public organization.
This program explores a variety of relevant topics, such as management, government bureaucracy, and public policy analysis. You’ll study how to collaborate with local governments, manage public resources, and handle public budgeting for various projects.
Learn how to promote economic growth in your community. Our courses can help hone your skills in communication, project management, and decision-making. You can become better equipped to launch economic development initiatives that improve the lives of those around you.
Additionally, you will analyze public administration through the lens of several different worldviews. In particular, you’ll explore how Judeo-Christian principles can be applied to public policy. That way, you can become a Champion for Christ and live out ethical standards in your career.
Partner with us and prepare to help your community achieve long-term growth and success.
Potential Career Opportunities
Our public administration certificate can help you prepare for several career paths. Depending on your current knowledge, education level, and experience, there are many different positions that could benefit from our accredited certificate:
- Administrative services manager
- Emergency management director
- Policy specialist
- Social and community service manager
- Urban planner
The leadership and administration skills that you gain from our certificate in public administration can be an asset in many other aspects of the political world as you pursue positions of added responsibility. Additionally, the credits from this certificate may transfer directly into the master’s in public administration. Take the next step towards your personal and professional goals with a public administration certificate from Liberty University.
Additional education or training may be required for some jobs or occupations. Conferral of a certificate does not guarantee job placement.
Required Courses
Certificate Information
- This program falls under the Helms School of Government.
- View the Graduate Government Course Guides (login required).
Certificate Completion Plan

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Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Graduate Full Time | $565/Credit |
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Graduate Part Time | $615/Credit |
Military Graduate | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Liberty’s Public Administration Certificate Program Online
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Transcript Policies
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a public administrator do?
Public administrators carry out government policies on a practical level. In other words, they don’t create policy — they develop, implement, and oversee programs that put policy into practice. Their main goal is to serve the public and meet the needs of citizens.
How long does it take to complete this certificate?
You can complete this public administration certificate online in 9 credit hours!
Can my credits from this certificate be applied to a maser’s degree?
The credits from this public admin certificate can be applied toward our online Master of Public Administration.
What resources will I be able to access?
You can access a wealth of resources through our top-notch research portal while completing your public administration courses.
What will this certificate help me learn?
We’re committed to offering an education that helps prepare students for the real world. This program is designed for individuals who want to gain a theoretical and practical foundation in public administration.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
Have questions?