Public Affairs Certificate

This certificate provides students the opportunity to actively incorporate Missouri State University’s public affairs mission into their curriculum via a cohesive theme for learning about, understanding, and enacting the public affairs mission. The certificate enables continuity of the public affairs experience from the onset of arrival at Missouri State University through culmination of the educational experience. The first semester core course provides a common foundation for all students; continued progress toward fulfilling certificate requirements facilitates intentionality while engaging with the course content in the Public Issues and Cultural Competence general education categories. The culminating public affairs experience is more individualized and relevant to each student’s area of study, including the opportunity for applied experience as well as the area capstone course.

This certificate will benefit students working toward careers in the non-profit sector, intercultural endeavors, politics, and other leadership roles. As informed citizens, they will better understand the significance and relevance of public issues in their personal and developing professional lives and are more likely to take an active role in the civic sphere.

The certificate will be overseen by the Public Affairs Certificate Committee.

Program Requirements

Public Affairs Core Course - one from following:

Public Affairs Cultural Competence General Education Course - one from following:

Public Affairs Public Issues General Education Course - one from following:

Public Affairs Electives (5-7 hours)

Service Learning (up to 3 hours). Either integrated or component service-learning courses satisfy this requirement.
Community-based Research or Internship (up to 3 hours). Course description must be written to demonstrate clear alignment with at least one of the public affairs pillars. Must be approved by Public Affairs Certificate committee prior to taking class for purposes of satisfying certificate requirement.
Public Affairs Capstone (up to 3 hours). May be satisfied by the Public Affairs Capstone requirement in student’s major or by the capstone course in another program.
Additional Selection from Cultural Competence or Public Issues General Education Courses (up to 3 hours)
Additional Public Affairs Courses Approved by Committee (up to 3 hours)

All candidates must satisfy the General University Certificate Requirements

Completion Requirement

Attain a grade of C or better in all courses used to fulfill the certificate requirements.

Transfer Students

For transfer students, committee will evaluate Public Affairs General Education courses submitted as substitutions from CORE 42.