Certificate in Public Affairs Management: Program Requirements
The Certificate in Public Affairs Management program is designed to be completed in two to three years, but candidates have a maximum of five years to successfully meet all requirements.
To receive your certificate, you must earn 30 credits in the following areas:
Click here for a full list of upcoming credit-eligible programs.
Terms of Enrollment:
- You have a maximum of five years from the date of your application to complete the program requirements.
- You must apply within 30 days of the first program that will count toward your certificate. Programs more than 30 days prior to the date of the application will not count toward certificate completion.
- Past graduates of the Public Affairs Institute may request 5 credits toward their elective goal for the Certificate in Public Affairs Management, regardless of graduation date.
- You must attend the Public Affairs Leadership Summit, worth 6 Core Credits, to complete the Certificate.
- You must earn a minimum of 30 credits to receive your certificate, including 12 core public affairs management credits, 8 integration and leadership elective credits, 3 compliance management credits and 7 credits demonstrating leadership in the public affairs community.
CORE PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGEMENT
Participants must earn at least 12 credits from core public affairs programs.
- No more than 3 of these credits may be earned through webinar participation.
- Must attend Public Affairs Leadership Summit, worth 6 Core credits, once to complete the Certificate.
- Visit this page to see up-to-date offerings for core credits.
INTEGRATION AND LEADERSHIP ELECTIVES
Participants must earn at least 8 credits from programs tailored to meet organizational needs or a certificate participant’s specific functional responsibilities.
- No more than 3 of these credits may be earned through webinar participation.
- Participants may earn 2 credits for participation in a Council Spring Executive Meeting; no more than 4 credits may come from Executive Meeting attendance.
- Past graduates of the Public Affairs Institute can request 5 credits toward their elective goal for the Certificate in Public Affairs Management.
- Visit this page to view up-to-date offerings for elective credits.
COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
Participants must earn at least 3 credits in public affairs compliance. They may do so by:
- Attending a full-day compliance seminar with Ken Gross of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
- Participating in a mix of webinars and half-day programs related to compliance.
- Visit this page to view up-to-date offerings for compliance credits.
LEADERSHIP IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMUNITY
Participants must earn at least 7 credits by making significant contributions to the public affairs community. Participants are required to demonstrate thought leadership that advances the field, provide resources and guidance to others, and invest time and energy in building a stronger industry.
Participants must serve as a mentor and show thought leadership by creating and sharing case studies, white papers or other resources. These two elements will earn 5 credits combined; the remaining 3 credits may be achieved in a number of ways.
Credits may be earned in the following categories:
Posting on Council Connect – 1 credit for each 5 posts of substance
- Posts must be tagged with @John Kasander so that they can be tracked
- ex: starting a thread, commenting on an existing thread in a way that forwards the conversation or shares insight, or sharing professional expertise that assists your colleagues.
- Posts must occur at least once per quarter. This is a required element of the program.
Sharing Resources and Information – 1 credit each
- You may earn credits by:
- Sharing samples and resources for the Council’s virtual resource library. These must be internal samples that demonstrate management or strategic planning, such as organizational structures, departmental responsibilities or strategic plans. These must be shareable documents, although they can be made anonymous. Participants will earn 1 credit per three resources submitted, with a maximum of 2 credits awarded for resource sharing. This is a required element of the program.
Insight-Sharing Guidance – 2 credits each
- You may earn credits by:
- Serving as a mentor for a full year through the Council’s mentoring program. (The mentee must confirm activity.) This is a required element of the program.
(Download the mentor registration form here.) - Writing an article or tip sheet that provides guidance to help peers manage their function. These documents may be used on the Council’s website or in Council newsletters. Participants must work with Council staff in the development of these tools.
- Serving as a speaker at a certificate-related Council program (at the discretion of Council staff). This is a required element of the program.
- Serving as a mentor for a full year through the Council’s mentoring program. (The mentee must confirm activity.) This is a required element of the program.
Demonstrating Thought Leadership – 3 credits each
- You may earn credits by:
- Developing a detailed white paper or case study on topics such as strategic planning, departmental organization, and other initiatives that demonstrate innovation, cross-functional leadership and industry advancement. These case-studies should provide an in-depth analysis of the situation, steps taken to achieve objectives and ultimate outcomes. They should also be applicable to peers. Participants must work with Council staff in the development of these tools. This is a required element of the program.
Jack Kasander
Program Assistant
202.787.5974 | email