Programs
Bloomington Campus
Certificate Programs
The following certificates are available on the BL campus.
Applied Research and Inquiry
Arts Administration
Environmental Studies
Healthcare Management and Policy
Nonprofit Management
Public Affairs
Public Management
Urban Studies
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance
General Requirements
- Students in good academic standing and enrolled in bachelor’s programs at Indiana University are eligible to apply for a certificate at the SPEA Undergraduate Program and Academic Advising Office (SPEA 240). Interested students must apply for a certificate before completing 15 credit hours of applicable course work.
- Admitted SPEA students earning a SPEA certificate may double count up to six (6) credit hours of certificate requirements with any other SPEA academic program. The remaining SPEA certificate credit hours cannot be applied toward any other SPEA academic program. Non-SPEA majors cannot double count courses with any SPEA academic program.
- SPEA students cannot earn a certificate in the same area as their major.
- A grade point average of 2.000 or higher is required in all course work credited toward the certificate.
Certificate in Applied Research and Inquiry
The Certificate in Applied Research and Inquiry introduces students to traditions of social inquiry. Students will explore the relationship between knowledge and action, between critical thinking and social engagement. They will examine the concepts, connections and tensions between competing policy choices and gain an understanding of the contradictions inherent in notions of justice, citizenship and equality. One of the premises underlying this year-long sequence is that studying important texts from a wide range of fields will help prepare students to engage, during their junior and senior years, in researching pressing contemporary problems and questions.
Students applying for the Certificate in Applied Research and Inquiry must have completed 26 undergraduate credit hours. Students will be expected to write a short essay in which they explain why they want to pursue this Certificate and how it might help them to achieve their academic and professional goals. To be eligible to pursue the Certificate, students will need either to (1) have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above or (2) receive special permission from the Director of the Certificate. Students who do not meet the GPA threshold will be required to submit with their application a letter of recommendation from an IU faculty member. Once students have been chosen to participate in the Certificate, they must either (1) maintain a major and cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above and maintain a GPA of 3.500 in courses that count toward the Certificate or (2) receive special permission from the Director of the Certificate.
Certificate Requirements
(18 credit hours)
Traditions of Inquiry Requirement - choose two of the following courses:
- POLS-Y 379 Ethics and Public Policy (3 cr.)
- POLS-Y 382 Modern Political Thought (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 210 The Economy, Organization, and Work (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 312 Education and Society (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 326 Law and Society (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 335 Race and Ethnic Relations (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 338 Gender Roles (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 340 Social Theory (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 346 Topics in Cross-Cultural Sociology (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 360 Topics in Social Policy (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 365 Social Foundations of Behavior: Applications for Health Settings (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 410 Topics in Social Organization (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 431 Topics in Social Psychology (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 450 Traditions of Inquiry: International Relations Theory and Policy Choices (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 450 Traditions of Inquiry: What is Public Policy for (3 cr.)
Note: When appropriate, additional sections of SPEA V450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs may count toward the Traditions of Inquiry requirement. (3 cr.)
Research and Design Requirements - choose one of the following courses:- SOC-S 370 Research Methods in Sociology (3 cr.) and SOC-S 371 Social Statistics (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 450 Research Design for Applied Research (3 cr.)
Research Methods Requirements - Choose one of the following courses:
- POLS-Y 395 Quantitative Political Analysis (3 cr.)
- POLS-Y 405 Models and Theories of Political Decision Making (3 cr.) (P: POLS-Y 200 or higher level)
- SOC-S 371 Social Statistics (3 cr.)
- SPEA-S 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 386 Case Studies for Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 450 Research Methods for Applied Research (3 cr.)
Thesis Colloquium Requirement - Choose one of the following courses:
- POLS-Y 499 Senior Thesis (3 cr.) (available only to Political Science majors)
- SOC-S 498 Honors Thesis Seminar I (3 cr.) and SOC-S 499 Honors Thesis Seminar II (3 cr.) (P: SOC-S 370 and SOC-S 498)
- SPEA-V 450 Thesis Colloquium for Applied Research (3 cr.)
Internship and Study Abroad Requirement - Choose one of the following courses:
- SPEA-V 380 Internship in Public and Environmental Affairs (0-6 cr.)
- SPEA-V 381 Professional Experience (1-6 cr.)
- SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
Certificate in Arts Administration
The School of Public and Environmental Affairs offers the Certificate in Arts Administration to provide undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Jacobs School of Music a coordinated set of course work and experiences in Arts Administration to complement their primary interest in the performing or visual arts. The course work for the Certificate in Arts Administration expands students’ management skills and opportunities for employment while enhancing their applied experiences in the arts.
Students applying for the Certificate in Arts Administration must have completed at least 24 undergraduate credits at Indiana University and compiled a cumulative grade point average of 2.700 or higher. Certificate students are expected to have a solid background in either the performing or visual arts.
Certificate Requirements
(21 credit hours)
The following three courses:
- SPEA-A 354 Arts Marketing Fundamentals (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 184 Law and Public Affairs (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 362 Nonprofit Management and Leadership (3 cr.)
- BUS-L 201 Legal Environment of Business (3 cr.)
- BUS-L 250 Law and the Arts (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 246 Elements of Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
- SPEA-V 373 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 374 Intermediate Public Budgeting & Finance (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
- SPEA-A 163 Art Worlds: Management, Markets, and Policy (3 cr.)
- SPEA-A 236 Music Industry I (3 cr.)
- SPEA-A 241 Community Engagement in the Arts (3 cr.)
- SPEA-A 336 Music Industry II (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-A 236)
- SPEA-A 405 Programming in the Performing Arts (3 cr.)
- SPEA-A 410 Artists, Galleries, and Collectors (1.5 cr.)
- SPEA-A 412 Creative Thinking Strategies for Arts Management (1.5 cr.)
- SPEA-A 426 Art and Social Change (3 cr.)
- SPEA-A 439 Fund Development for the Arts (3 cr.)
- SPEA-A 450 Contemporary Topics in Arts Administration (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; may be repeated with different topics)
- SPEA-A 459 Public Policy and the Arts (3 cr.)
- SPEA-A 464 The Economics and Administration of Arts Organizations (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 361 Financial Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246 or BUS-A 201)
- SPEA-V 380 Internship in Public and Environmental Affairs (1-3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 438 Mass Media and Public Affairs (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 458 Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
- AADM-Y 412 Opera Management (3 cr.)
- ANTH-A 403 Introduction to Museum Studies (3 cr.)
- ANTH-A 401 Cultural Resource Management (3 cr.
- BUS-L 315 The Business and Law of Entertainment and Sports (3 cr.)
- SOAD-F 402 Collection Management for Historic Textiles and Costumes (3 cr.)
- SOAD-U 490 Sources and Resources: Professional Skills in Fine Arts (3 cr.)
- SOAD-X 476 Practicum on Collection Management (3 cr.)
- THTR-T 428 Production and Events Management (3 cr.)
Certificate in Nonprofit Management
The nonprofit sector is a dynamic and rapidly expanding area. The Certificate in Nonprofit Management allows students to take part in coursework specifically concerned with the nonprofit sector and geared toward preparing them for careers in nonprofit organizations. The certificate is designed so that students who complete the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance program will also meet the requirements for the Certificate in Nonprofit Management.
Certificate Requirements
(Five courses)
This certificate has a requirement of 15 credit hours and must be selected from the following categories. Courses listed with an asterisk (*) are included in the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance program. Alternate courses may be substituted with the approval of a SPEA advisor.
Nonprofit Institutions (Minimum of 3 credit hours)
- *SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.)
Nonprofit Management (Minimum of 6 credit hours)
The following course:
- *SPEA-V 362 Nonprofit Management and Leadership (3 cr.)
One of the following courses:
- SPEA-V 246 Elements of Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
- *SPEA-V 356 Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246)
- SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202)
- *SPEA-V 458 Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
Nonprofit Field (Minimum of 3 credit hours)
Select one course from a special feature of a nonprofit field, service area, or industry. Examples include:
Community Development
- SPEA-V 340 Urban Government Administration (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3 cr.)
Environment
- SPEA-E 183 Environment and People (3 cr.)
- SPEA-E 363 Environmental Management (3 cr.) (R: SPEA-E 183)
- SPEA-V 424 Environmental Law, Justice, and Politics (3 cr.)
Health
- SPEA-H 124 Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System (3 cr.)
- SPEA-H 316 Environmental Health Science (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor)
Human Services
- *EDUC-P 314 Life Span Development (3 cr.)
- SPH-F 150 Introduction to Life Span Development (3 cr.)
- POLS-Y 326 American Social Welfare Policy (3 cr.)
- PSY-P 315 Developmental Psychology (3 cr.)
Internship (Minimum of 3 credit hours)
- *SPEA-V 380 Internship in Public and Environmental Affairs (1-6 cr.) For non-SPEA students or *SPEA-V 381 Professional Experience (1-6 cr.) For SPEA students only.
Note: Students must intern with a nonprofit organization.
Certificate in Public Affairs
The School of Public and Environmental Affairs offers the Certificate in Public Affairs to provide an overview of the study of public policy, governmental organization, and public management as an enhancement to the major area of study in a student’s undergraduate program. The interdisciplinary program requires 27 credit hours, of which at least 15 but not more than 21 credit hours must be in SPEA courses.
Certificate Requirements
(Nine courses)
The following courses:
- SPEA-E 183 Environment and People (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 181 US Policy & Administration (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3 cr.)
A total of two courses from groups A, B, and C, with no more than one course from any group.
A. Organizational Behavior
- BUS-Z 302 Managing and Behavior in Organizations (3 cr.)
B. Public Administration
- SPEA-V 336 (3 cr.) Managing External Collaboration and Networks (P: SPEA-V 185)
C. Law
- SPEA-V 184 Law and Public Affairs (3 cr.)
- BUS-L 201 Legal Environment of Business (3 cr.)
- CJUS-P 370 Legal Aspects of Criminal Justice Systems I (3 cr.)
- POLS-Y 304 American Constitutional Law I (3 cr.)
- POLS-Y 305 American Constitutional Law II (3 cr.)
Choose any four of the following courses:
Public Affairs
- SPEA-V 260 Topics in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
- SPEA-V 346 Introduction to Government Accounting and Financial Reporting (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246)
- SPEA-V 348 Management Science (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 373 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 374 Intermediate Public Budgeting & Finance (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
- SPEA-V 378 Policy Processes in the United States (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 424 Environmental Law, Justice, and Politics (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 425 Homeland Security: Policy and Practice (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 432 Labor Relations in the Public Sector (3 cr.) (P SPEA-V 373)
- SPEA-V 441 Topics in Financial Management and Policy (3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
- SPEA-V 442 Topics in Budgeting or Cost/Benefit (3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
- SPEA-V 444 Public Administrative Organization (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 449 Senior Policy Seminar (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
Criminal Justice
- CJUS-P 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 cr.)
- CJUS-P 381 History of Social Control in the U.S. (3 cr.)
Geography
- GEOG-G 412 Urban Transportation Analysis (3 cr.)
- GEOG-G 414 Regional Transport Systems (3 cr.)
- GEOG-G 415 Advanced Urban Geography (3 cr.)
Political Science
- POLS-Y 200 Contemporary Political Topics (3 cr.)
- POLS-Y 302 Public Bureaucracy in Modern Society (3 cr.)
- POLS-Y 306 State Politics in the United States (3 cr.)
- POLS-Y 394 Public Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
Sociology
- SOC-S 320 Deviant Behavior and Social Control (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 325 Criminology (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 326 Law and Society (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 361 Cities and Suburbs (3 cr.)
Certificate in Public Health
The curriculum is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of environmental health issues, current health policies, and the structure of the medical care delivery system.
Certificate Requirements
(Six courses)
The following three courses:
- SPEA-H 124 Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System (3 cr.)
- SPEA-H 316 Environmental Health Science (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor)
- SPH-E 311 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 cr.) or SPEA-H 322 Principles of Epidemiology (3 cr.)
Three of the following courses:
- SPEA-E 400 Topics in Environmental Studies (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
- SPEA-E 410 Introduction to Environmental Toxicology (3 cr.)
- SPEA-E 431 Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment (3 cr.)
- SPEA-E 451 Air Pollution and Control (3 cr.)
- SPEA-E 452 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (3 cr.)
- SPEA-H 341 Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration (3 cr.) (SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor)
- SPEA-H 401 Strategic Planning in Health Organizations (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 353 or concurrent)
- SPEA-H 402 Hospital Administration (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor)
- SPEA-H 411 Chronic and Long-Term Care Administration (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor)
- SPEA-H 432 Healthcare Marketing (3 cr.)
- SPEA-H 455 Topics in Public Health (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
- SPEA-H 456 Health Care Reimbursement (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 353 or concurrent)
- SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
- SPH-B 403 Public Health Program Planning (3 cr.) or SPEA-H 342 Community Health Education (3 cr.)
Certificate in Public Management
This curriculum provides students a systematic program in Public Management and gives them an understanding of how to work in and with public organizations.
Certificate Requirements
(Six courses)
One of the following courses:
- SPEA-V 181 US Policy & Administration (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3 cr.)
The following course:
- SPEA-V 185 Management of Public Problems and Solutions (3 cr.)
Four of the following courses:
- SPEA-V 184 Law and Public Affairs (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 263 Public Management (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 336 Managing External Collaboration and Networks (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 185)
- SPEA-V 361 Financial Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246 or BUS-A 201)
- SPEA-V 362 Nonprofit Management and Leadership (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 368 Managing Government Operations (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 373 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 374 Intermediate Public Budgeting and Finance (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
- SPEA-V 424 Environmental Law, Justice, and Politics (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 432 Labor Relations in the Public Sector (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)
- SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
- SPEA-V 463 Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace (1-4 cr.)
Certificate in Urban Studies
The undergraduate Urban Studies Certificate Program introduces students to contemporary knowledge of urban society, urban policy, and urban development.
Certificate Requirements
(Eight courses)
The following three courses:
- SPEA-K 300 Statistical Techniques or approved option (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 161 Urban Problems and Solutions (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 340 Urban Government Administration (3 cr.)
Two courses from one of the following groups:
Urban Finance
- SPEA-V 374 Intermediate Public Budgeting & Finance (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
- SPEA-V 442 Topics in Budgeting or Cost-Benefit (3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
Urban Development and Policy
- BUS-R 300 Principles of Real Estate (3 cr.)
- POLS-Y 308 Urban Politics (3 cr.)
Urban Society
- SOC-S 309 The Community (3 cr.)
- SOC-S 361 Cities and Suburbs (3 cr.)
Urban Management
- GEOG-G 415 Advanced Urban Geography (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 226 Managing Emergency Services (3 cr.)
Urban Transportation
- GEOG-G 406 Sustainable Transportation Policy (3 cr.)
- GEOG-G 412 Urban Transportation Analysis (3 cr.)
Three additional courses from the above list or one from the above list and the following two courses:
- HIST-A 347 American Urban History (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership
The School of Public and Environmental Affairs, in partnership with Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, offers certification in nonprofit management. Students may also simultaneously enroll in the Nonprofit Management Certificate, offered by Indiana University, through SPEA. This certification prepares undergraduate college students for professional careers in the expanding job market of nonprofits. Upon completion of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance program, students will be certified, through Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, for possible positions of leadership with collaborating organizations such as the YMCA, American Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Girl Scouts of the USA, and many other nonprofit agencies at both the local and national level.
This certificate program requires the demonstration of a prescribed set of knowledge and skill competencies and the completion of a 300-hour internship program. The certificate may be obtained through the completion of the following academic requirements and co-curricular requirements.
Academic Requirements
(Eight courses for a minimum of 20 credit hours)
The following courses are recommended to fulfill competencies and contact hours requirements:
1. Nonprofit Management
The following two courses:
- SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.) (B)
- SPEA-V 362 Nonprofit Management and Leadership (3 cr.) (B)
2. Nonprofit Management Field
Select one 200-level or higher course from a special feature of a nonprofit field, service area, or industry.
Examples include:
1. Urban Community Development
- SPEA-V 340 Urban Government Administration (3 cr.) (F)
- SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3 cr.) (S)
- EDUC-P 314 Life Span Development (3 cr.) (S)
- PSY-P 315 Developmental Psychology (3 cr.) (F)
- INTL-I 204 Human Rights and Social Movements: International Perspective (3 cr.) (S) Health Development
- SPEA-H 124 Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System (3 cr.) (B)
Select one of the following courses:
- SPEA-V 246 Elements of Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3 cr.) (B) (P: SPEA-V 186)
- BUS-A 200 Foundations of Accounting (3 cr.) (B)
The following course:
- SPEA-V 267 American Humanics Management Institute (1 cr.) (F)
The following course:
- SPEA-V 252 Career Development (2 cr.) (B) or a comparable career planning course
One of the following fundraising courses:
- SPEA-V 458 Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.) (F)
- SPH-R 101 Resource Development/Fundraising (3 cr.) (B)
- SPEA-V 388 American Humanics Internship (3 cr.) (B)
- Minimum of 300 intern hours.
F = course only offered fall semester
S = course only offered spring semester
B = course offered both semesters
Co-Curricular Requirements
Students interested in learning more about the certificate should contact the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance director or a SPEA academic advisor.