This certificate requires 15 credit hours of approved coursework with at least 6 credit hours at or above the 600-level. Students must take 6 credit hours in core courses, 2 credit hours in special topics courses, and 7 credit hours of electives selected from the course requirements list. You also may be able to take electives in the Washington College of Law (WCL) with approval of the program director and the WCL Women & the Law program.

If you choose to continue your studies toward a degree, you may transfer up to 12 credit hours as long as you indicate your plans before the 12-credit threshold in the certificate program. You also may apply up to 3 hours earned at an accredited college or university as transfer credit toward a certificate.

Students must complete the coursework with grades of C or better in each certificate course. Grades lower than C are not accepted toward the fulfillment of requirements, although they will be included in the GPA calculation. Overall, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in certificate courses in order to be awarded the certificate.

To continue your eligibility, you must take at least 6 credit hours during each 12-month period, and complete the certificate within four years. International students are required to enroll in 9 credit hours each semester, except for summer.

For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or spainfo@american.edu.