Certificate Programs
The School of Economic, Political
and Policy Sciences offers seven graduate certificate programs for both degree
and non-degree seeking students. Certificate programs are a valuable component
of the School’s educational mission and can be an important resource for both
mid-career professionals and others seeking to advance their knowledge and
expertise. The Certificates are offered in: Crime and Justice Analysis,
Economic and Demographic Data Analysis, Evaluation Research, Financial
Economics., Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Local Government Management,
and Nonprofit Management.
Graduate Certificate in City
Planning
The Graduate Certificate in City
Planning is a 15 credit hour Master’s level certificate. The 15 hours earned in
the Certificate program will apply to the MPA degree requirements if the student meets the conditions for full
admission as a graduate student to the Master’s degree. The academic focus of the certificate is the
basic elements of the body of knowledge of the field of city planning. These
elements include the theory and legal elements of planning, developing and
implementing plans, land use management, land use law and regulation, and
functional topics such as transportation and housing.
The Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United
States. The scope and growth of this urban area create many demands for
professionals whose role is to plan for and manage
this urban complex. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the
profession of city planning to grow by between 9%-14% by the year 2014.
The BLS further notes that, "Most new jobs for urban and regional planners
will be in local government, as planners will be needed to address an array of
problems associated with population growth, especially in affluent, rapidly
expanding communities. For example, new housing developments require roads,
sewer systems, fire stations, schools, libraries and recreation facilities that
must be planned for in the midst of a consideration of budgetary
constraints."
The Certificate is intended for professionals
already working in city planning in the public sector, those employed in
private for-profit or governmental settings who work with planning and
development projects, and students without professional experience who seek to
prepare themselves for careers in city planning or local government.
The 15 hours of course offerings
noted below incorporate the essential knowledge base of city planning.
Students may petition the program coordinator to include other graduate courses
offered by the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences as guided
electives; however, courses from other institutions may not be applied to the
required 15 semester credit hours.
PA 6324 - Community Planning
PA 6330 – Basics of Development
PA 6331 – Land Use Law and Ethics
Courses 4 and 5: city planning electives, such as:
PA 6354- Transportation Planning
GISC 6381 – Geographic Information Systems Fundamentals
PA 6341 – Urban Development
PA 6342 – Local Economic Development
Graduate
Certificate in Economic and Demographic Data Analysis
The
Certificate in Economic and Demographic Data Analysis may be acquired by
graduate degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students. For the certificate,
students must complete 15 graduate hours (5 courses). Students are required to
take (A) EPPS 7313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics and EPPS 7316 Regression
and Multivariate Analysis. (B) Students must choose at least one of the
following courses: ECON 6306 Applied Econometrics or EPPS 7318 Structural
Equation and Multilevel (Hierarchical) Modeling or EPPS 7344 Categorical and
Limited Dependent Variables. (C) In addition, two other empirically oriented
courses must be completed. Students should check with the Director of the
Certificate Program or the program office for details as to the list of
acceptable courses.
Students seeking the certificate who
do not plan to seek a degree should (1) submit an application and (2) an
undergraduate transcript. No GRE score is required. Note: (a) up to 15 hours of
coursework taken as a non-degree seeking student can be applied later to a
graduate degree (b) currently enrolled students may use up to 9 hours of
courses required for their degree for the certificate. Non degree seeking
students interested in continuing their graduate education must formally apply
to the university and their program of interest to be considered for admission.
Graduate Certificate in Evaluation
Research
A graduate-level certificate program
in Evaluation Research is offered jointly by the Schools of Economic, Political
and Policy Sciences and Behavioral and Brain Sciences. Students who complete
this program will have an opportunity to gain competencies in the design and
implementation of program evaluations in fields such as education, health care,
human services, criminal justice, and economic development. The Certificate in
Evaluation Research program may be incorporated into graduate degree programs
in the Schools of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences or Behavioral and
Brain Sciences, or may be taken on its own by non-degree seeking students.
Students in the Evaluation Research certificate program are normally expected
to have completed undergraduate courses in social statistics and research
design; students lacking appropriate preparation may be asked to take needed
courses prior to admission to the program.
In order to receive the certificate,
students must successfully complete three required courses and a two-semester
long evaluation research project that culminates in a final report. The courses
in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences leading to the
Certificate in Evaluation Research are EPPS 7313 Descriptive and Inferential
Statistics for the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, EPPS 6352
Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, an
elective course approved by the Evaluation Research certificate program
coordinator, and POEC 6V91 Evaluation Research (six credit hours) for a total
of 15 semester credit hours. With permission of the Evaluation Research program
coordinator, students may substitute appropriate courses from the School of
Behavioral and Brain Sciences or prior coursework taken at other institutions.
This is discussed in the Behavioral and Brain Sciences section of the catalog.
Students interested in applying for
admission to the Certificate in Evaluation Research program should consult the
graduate advising office in the School of Economic, Political and Policy
Sciences or the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Graduate
Certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS)
The School of Economic, Political
and Policy Sciences offers a certificate in Geographic Information Systems for
both novice and experienced GIScience professionals. The certificate is available to both
graduate degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students. The certificate
requires 15 graduate hours (5 classes).
Students seeking the GIS certificate
must have completed an undergraduate degree in some area relevant to GIS.
Primary admissions requirements are: (1) an application to U.T. Dallas, and (2)
an undergraduate transcript. Applicants for the certificate program do not need
a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score. They should apply as
"non-degree-seeking" students to the Geospatial Information Sciences
program. Admissions requirements are the same for students who would simply
like to take one or more of the related courses without pursuing certification.
The Graduate Certificate in
Geographic Information Science requires the following three courses.
GISC 6381 Geographic Information
Systems Fundamentals
GISC 6382 Applied GIS
GISC 6387 Geographic Information
Systems Workshop
And two courses from:
GISC 6301 Geospatial Data Analysis
Fundamentals
GISC 6317 Computer Programming for
GIS
GISC 6325/GEOS 5325 Introduction to
Remote Sensing
GISC 6383 GIS Management and
Implementation
GISC 6384 Spatial Analysis and
Modeling
GISC 6388 GIS Application Software
Development
GISC 7310 Regression Analysis with
Spatial Applications
GISC 7360 GIS Pattern Analysis
GISC 7361 Spatial Statistics
GISC 7363 Internet Mapping and
Information Processing
GISC 7365/GEOS 5326 Remote Sensing
Digital Image Processing
GISC 7366 Applied Remote Sensing
GEOS 5322 Global Positioning System
Satellite Surveying Techniques
GEOS 5324 3D Data Capture and Ground
Lidar
Other courses in Geosciences,
Computer Science, Management, or Economic, Political and Policy Sciences may be
applied to the certificate at the discretion of the Director of the Certificate
Program. All courses applied to the Certificate must have been taken
within the three year period prior to the award of the Certificate. No more
than two courses can be transferred from another institution.
Graduate Certificate in Geospatial
Intelligence (GeoInt)
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) is a rapidly
evolving field that demands certain technical skill sets, the ability for
individual rapid critical thinking and a global awareness of supporting
information for national security and other intelligence activities. This
certificate program produces graduates that have met the requirements for such
professionals set forth by the United States
Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF).
Classes are offered through the state of the
art facilities housed within the Geospatial Information Sciences program in the
school of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. The certification
requires 15 graduate hours (5 classes) detailed below. All courses taken
as part of this certificate also count toward the Master of Science in Geospatial
Information Sciences degree, and can be taken in conjunction with the Graduate Certificate in
Geographic Information Systems and the Graduate Certificate in
Remote Sensing.
The mission of the Graduate Certificate in
Geospatial Intelligence is to provide students with a broad set of skills in
the areas of geographic information systems, remote sensing, geospatial
statistical analysis, intelligence gathering and global positioning
systems. Courses will emphasize these skills along with the ability to
find and interpret data, conduct accurate analysis, work in a professional and
collaborative environment and communicate effectively. UTD geospatial
intelligence certificate graduates will have demonstrated to the intelligence
community that they have acquired the basic skills needed for employment in
this high growth industry.
Students seeking the Geospatial Intelligence
certificate must have completed an undergraduate degree and should apply to the
graduate school as "non-degree seeking" students. Admissions
paperwork requires only:
You may complete and submit an application for admission online. You
should apply as a "non-degree" student to the MGIS program. You do not
need a GRE (graduate record examination) score or letters of reference for
admission to the certification program.
Although applicants are not required to
submit GRE scores, TOEFL scores (for International Students), or 3 letters of
recommendation, but doing so will strengthen their chances of being
accepted. Competence in microcomputer use and familiarity with MS Windows
and file management (directories, copying, etc.) is expected. Up to 15 hours of
course work taken in the certificate program can be applied later to a graduate
degree should you desire to pursue such a degree.
Registration by Current UTD Students
Graduate students in any degree program
within UT Dallas may register for GISC courses using standard registration
procedures. Undergraduate students eligible for the Fast Track program may also
enroll. See your program adviser regarding degree-plan credit assignment.
Courses are listed under geospatial information sciences (GISC) in the UTD
Class Schedule, with additional offerings under Geosciences (GEOS) and
Political Economy (POEC).
Five courses are required to earn the
certificate:
Individuals experienced with GIS may have the
introductory course (GISC 6381) waived at the discretion of the Certificate
Director, but must take an additional course from the topics courses listed
above. No more than two courses may be transferred from another institution.
Courses for the Certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a
minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Graduate
Certificate in Homeland Security
The
graduate Certificate in Homeland Security is a 15-semester credit hour Master’s
level certificate. The fifteen (15) semester credit hours in Homeland Security
can be applied toward the Master of Public Affairs, the Master’s in Criminology
or the Master’s in International Political Economy degree. Students must
complete all requirements for full admission as a graduate student to apply
these courses to a Master’s degree.
Strengthening
the preparedness of the U.S requires a body of trained professionals in
homeland security. The relative novelty of homeland security as a field of
practice and study further strengthens the need for expanding the training and
educational needs of both current homeland security professionals and other
professionals with an interest in moving in to a career in homeland security.
The certificate is directed to homeland security professionals and those
aspiring to such employment in both government and business.
The certificate in Homeland Security
emphasizes the strategic dynamics of prevention and response with a special
emphasis on intelligence-led policing. This approach requires increased
collaboration and information sharing across organizations and jurisdictions.
This approach also requires information sharing across both public and private
entities to move intelligence to end-user and responders in a rapid manner.
Finally, intelligence led policing requires strong analytical tools and
effective planning to effect successful security of the nation.
Requirements for admission to the
certificate program are the same as for a non-degree seeking graduate student.
Students receiving the certificate
may choose to sit for the International Association of Emergency Managers
(IAEM) Certificate in Emergency Management. The Homeland Security Certificate
is housed in the Public Affairs program within the School of Economic,
Political and Policy Sciences.
The Homeland Security Certificate requires completion of five (5) graduate courses (15 credit hours) from among the following six
offerings.
PA 6351 Introduction to Homeland Security
PA 6353 Emergency Management
PA 6371 Pre-emptive Strategies and Tactics
PA 7307 Information Sharing and Communication
PA 7308 Social Networks and Intelligence-Led Policing
PA 7309 Protecting Critical Resources and Infrastructure
Graduate
Certificate in Local Government Management
The
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences offers a Graduate Certificate
in Local Government Management for local government professionals and for MPA
students who desire to broaden their knowledge of important issues and
approaches employed by professional local public administrators. Local
governments in the United States play an important role in our democratic
system. They are the place in our democratic system where citizens have
the most direct contact with elected and appointed officials on numerous
issues.
Local
government managers operate in a complex legal and political environment.
They are responsible for the provision of varied services directly to citizens,
such as land use planning, law enforcement, water and sewer services, and
recreation. Both the method and quality of service delivery are greatly
influenced by managers who are hired by elected officials. The management
of cities and counties has become increasingly professional over the past
several decades. How the professional staff delivers services to the
public within the political environment in which it works is the topic of many
of the courses in this program.
Requirements for admission to the
certificate program are the same as for a non-degree seeking graduate
student.
The Local Government Management Certificate requires
completion of five (5) graduate courses (15 credit hours) in local government
management. The courses taken for this certificate will apply to the MPA degree
requirements if the student meets
the conditions for full admission as a graduate student to the Master’s degree. Permission of the Public Affairs Program advisor must be obtained for
the two elective courses.
Course 1: Human
Resource Management (PA 6345)
Course 2:
Government Financial Management and Budgeting (PA 6321)
Course 3: Local
Government Management (PA 6344)
Courses 4 and 5:
Two local government electives, such as:
Local Economic
Development (PA 6342)
Quality and
Productivity in Government (PA 6300)
Information Systems
in Policy Environments (PA 6318)
Community Planning (PA 6324)
Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management
Nonprofit
organizations constitute an increasingly significant sector of the American
economy as well as an essential element in American civic life. Nonprofits are
found in such diverse fields as health care, education, human services, and
criminal justice, as well as in cultural and civic activities. Faced with
resource constraints and rising demands for accountability, nonprofit
organizations require professional managers with an understanding of both
administrative principles and techniques and of the distinctive legal,
economic, and social environment within which nonprofits operate.
The
Certificate in Nonprofit Management is designed to provide an overview of the
nature and context of nonprofit organizations combined with skill-based courses
to develop the competencies needed by nonprofit managers. The Certificate is
intended for professionals already working in the nonprofit sector, those
working in private for-profit or governmental settings who would like to work
or volunteer in the nonprofit sector, and students without professional
experience who seek to prepare themselves for nonprofit careers.
Completion of fifteen (15) semester
credit hours are required to attain the Certificate
in Nonprofit Management. Requirements include three core courses and two guided
electives from the list below. Students may petition the program coordinator to
include other graduate courses offered by the School of Economic, Political and
Policy Sciences as guided electives. Courses from other institutions may not be
applied to the required fifteen semester credit hours.
Core
Courses – Nine (9) Hours
PA
6316 Leadership in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
PA 6380/SOC 6380 Nonprofit Organizations
PA 6382/SOC 6381 Nonprofit Management
Guided Electives – Six (6) Hours
from the following:
EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research
Methods in EPPS
PA 6311 Public Management
PA 6320 Organizational Theory
PA 6345 Human Resources Management
PA 6374 Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
PA 7v63 Research Workshop in Nonprofit Organization
SOC 6340 Domestic Social Policy
Graduate
Certificate in Remote Sensing
The
Remote Sensing Certificate is administered jointly by the School of Economic,
Political and Policy Sciences and the Department of Geosciences. The American
Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (1997) defines remote sensing as the
art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical
objects and the environment through the process of recording, measuring and
interpreting imagery and digital representations of energy patterns derived
from non-contact sensor systems. Remote sensing involves a powerful set of
computerized software and hardware, and sophisticated mathematical, statistical
and logical techniques for extraction and presentation of information acquired
via non-contact sensors. It provides reliable and cost-effective means of
studying the Earth’s surface for urban planning, natural resources management
and protection, and a wide variety of other fields. Government and
non-government organizations continuously seek qualified professionals to use
remote sensing for a wide range of applications.
Students seeking the Remote Sensing
Certificate must have completed an undergraduate degree in some relevant area.
Primary admissions requirements are: (1) an application to U.T. Dallas, and (2)
an undergraduate transcript. Applicants for the certificate program do not need
a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score. They should apply as
"non-degree-seeking" students to the Geospatial Information Sciences
program. Admissions requirements are the same for students who would simply
like to take one or more of the related courses without pursuing certification.
The Graduate Certificate in Remote
Sensing requires 15 credits earned through the following courses:
GISC 6325/GEOS 5325 Introduction to
Remote Sensing
GISC 6381 Introduction to GIS
GISC 7365/GEOS 5326 Remote Sensing
Digital Image Processing
GISC 7366 Applied Remote Sensing
GISC 7367/GEOS 7327 Remote Sensing
Workshop