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University of Southern California

Certificate Programs

City/County Management Certificate

Female student looking out at the city landscape.

The graduate Certificate in City/County Management is for students interested in acquiring the foundational training needed to pursue a career in public service leadership and provides students with the necessary knowledge, training and skills development that will ensure their professional success as a future city/county manager.

The Certificate in City/County Management consists of 16 units of graduate course work.

For a description of the courses below, visit the USC Course Catalogue.

Required Courses (16 Units)

  • PPD 541 Public Financial Management and Budgeting (Units: 4)
  • PPD 542 Policy and Program Evaluation (Units: 4)
  • PPD 651 Seminar in the Administration of Local Government (Units: 4)
  • PPD 672 Collaborative Governance (Units: 4)

Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Current USC Graduate Students
Applicants for the Certificate in City/County Management who are currently enrolled in a graduate program at USC (and are in good standing with a 3.0 GPA) need only to submit appropriate paperwork for adding the certificate program, which may be obtained from the student services advisor in RGL 102.

Prospective Applicants
Applicants for the Certificate in City/County Management who have not matriculated at USC must make a formal application at the USC Graduate Admission website.

Applicants must submit the following items:

  • Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended must be sent directly to [email protected].
  • Resume (upload via online application)
  • Letter of Recommendation (uploaded via online application)

Deadline:
July 1 – Fall Semester

Please contact the USC Price Office of Admissions at [email protected] for more information.

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