Local Government Management

The certificate in Local Government Management provides an overview of forms, structures, functions and services of local government. The course of study emphasizes leadership skills, board administration, performance management, strategy development  and public participation. A variety of important financial management topics will be covered including: revenue forecasting, capital planning, debt issuance and management, intergovernmental and interorganizational fiscal administration, service cost analysis and management, accounting, performance and accountability.

No graduate record exam (GRE) is required for this certificate program.

Curriculum

In order to complete the certificate in Local Government Management, students must complete 15 credits and earn a grade of a B or better in each course. There are four required courses for all certificate students:

• PAFF 580 - Forms and Struc. of Local Gov.

  This course provides an overview of structure and function of local government. Discussion topics include leadership skills, board administration, performance management, strategy development, and public participation. Offered: fall only. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• PAFF 581 - Functions & Serv. Local Govt.

  This course reviews types of taxes, fees and revenues used by local governments and considers the major attributes and consequences of each source. A variety of important financial management tools and topics will be covered including: revenue forecasting, capital planning, debt issuance and management, intergovernmental and inter-organizational fiscal administration, service cost analysis and management, accounting, performance and accountability. Offered: periodically. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• PAFF 527 - Budgeting and Financial Mgmt

  Introduction to modeling and problem solving from an economic perspective. Analysis of types of taxes used by local and national governments and the major attributes and consequences of each. Discussion of international financial institutions and market forces influencing the financial systems of not-for-profit organizations. Prerequisite: PAFF 510. Offered: fall and spring. 4 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• PAFF 526 - Managing Info and Technology

  This course focuses on the evolution of data into information and knowledge and the use of technology to support public service. We discuss establishing and complying with information policies and managing the collection, use and dissemination of information. Issues of privacy, security, access and transparency are considered. Offered: fall and spring. 2 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

Students must also take 3 additional credits that focus on local government issues. Mo

Electives include:

• PAFF 582 - Sustainable Cities and Regions

  Municipalities in the United States have enormous power to impact the local and regional environment. Through academic readings and policy documents, we will survey the history, theory, and practice of sustainable (and unsustainable) land use and energy planning. We will learn about and challenge the various contemporary approaches to sustainable planning, such as Smart Growth, New Urbanism, and Transit Oriented Development. Course work will culminate in the drafting of a land use plan that seeks to resolve sustainability issues facing a typical community. Offered: semester offered varies. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• PAFF 583 - Community and Econ. Dev.

  This class examines both the theory and reality of community and economic development. The course focuses on municipalities and regions, but we recognize that all actors are embedded within national and international systems involving public and private entities. We will examine traditional as well as more progressive approaches to the ways that municipalities and regions try to grow and increase quality of life while protecting values, such as heritage or environmental sustainability. We will talk with practitioners and work with professional policy documents to understand how on-the-ground decisions are made. We will learn some of the basic skills and some of the fundamental issues facing local governments. Offered: spring. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• PAFF 585 - Fund. of Emergency Mgmt.

  Domestic terrorism. Natural disasters. Human-caused catastrophes. Disaster preparedness is an increasingly important dimension of effective public service. There is a growing demand for emergency managers; and people in these roles coordinate systems and processes to build a resilient community. In this course, students will be introduced to the management of complex emergency service programs and incidents through strategic thinking and planning. This course focuses on the core principles of emergency management (preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery) and how those principles can be applied in the public sector and non-profit settings. This course is a nonprofit or local government elective. Offered: summer. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

There are also some courses outside of the Public Administration department (Sustainable Communities or Geography) that can be considered local government electives on a case by case basis. 

For the most accurate program requirements, refer to the course bulletin.

Students pursuing the Nonprofit or Local Government certificate must compile a portfolio that includes samples of work which represent knowledge and skills specific to their certificate and which they believe best demonstrate their grasp of the core competencies identified for each certificate program. The portfolio is required for all students entering the program in fall 2014 and beyond; the portfolio is optional for students who entered the program earlier than that date. A list of competencies and assessment tools for each certificate is provided in Appendix E of the Student Handbook. Students must submit their portfolios by the last day of classes of their final semester in the program. While all certificate students must submit a portfolio to graduate, assessment of portfolios will not affect students' graduation. Members of the MPA Advisory Board will assess portfolios periodically. Assessments will be shared with the students after graduation and will be used on an aggregate level to inform program improvements within certificate programs.

Admission Requirements

If you wish to pursue a certificate in conjunction with your MPA, fill out the Add-on Certificate Application.

To be admitted into the certificate program, if a student is not already enrolled in the MPA program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
2. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0

The application process requires students to submit the following materials:

1. The online Graduate School application
2. Transcripts from your undergraduate institution
3. A current resume
4. A letter of recommendation from a professor or professional colleague (such as a supervisor or executive director of a nonprofit organization) who can evaluate your suitability for the certificate program.
5. A 1-2 page personal statement that addresses why you are interested in the program.

These materials will be reviewed in total to assess whether applicants bring the necessary skills and experiences to succeed in the program.

If students are interested in completing two specializations or certificates, a minimum of 51 total credits must be completed. If a student is interested in completing three specializations or certificates, a minimum of 60 total credits must be completed. Credits cannot be “double counted” for more than one specialization or certificate.

To discuss the certificate further, contact Brianna King Richetti at bking@binghamton.edu or 607-777-2719.