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How to ApplyRequest Info
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Graduate Certificate inPublic Budgeting and Financial Management

Summary Courses Careers Costs and Aid

Develop the skills needed to plan and manage budgets and financial systems. This online graduate certificate program is a good fit for administrators and financial professionals at government and nonprofit organizations.

100% Online

Complete your Penn State course work at your own pace and 100% online.

Apply by August 21 to start August 25

9 Credits$1,027 per credit

Gain Skills to Manage Your Organization’s Financial System

  • Utilize fiscal and governmental aspects of budgeting, taxes, and financial management on an organizational level.

  • Lead the development of organizational budgets.

  • Identify public policy issues in governmental and not-for-profit accounting and federal budgeting.

  • Manage and resolve resource constraints and transparency and accountability demands.

In this 9-credit program, you can increase your understanding of key topics in government financial management as they relate to public sector organizations and process, as well as how they contribute toward more efficient use of public resources, increased transparency, and improved accountability.

Required Courses (9 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Nature, function, and technique of governmental budgeting viewed as mechanism for allocating resources among alternative public uses.

  • 3
    credits

    Theories and techniques of financial planning and control, with emphasis on their application in government and nonprofit agencies.

    • Prerequisite

      PADM 502

  • 3
    credits

    Accounting, reporting, and auditing principles and procedures for public sector agencies and nonprofit organizations.

    • Prerequisite

      PADM 502

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

As a graduate with this certificate, you can find work or advance your career in government and not-for-profit occupations such as:

  • financial manager
  • budget analyst
  • fiscal policy analyst
  • consultant
  • controller
  • governmental accountant
  • administration/management
  • community accountant

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by August 21 to start August 25. How to Apply 

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition Rates for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 Semesters
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,027 per credit
12 or more$12,325 per semester

2025–26 Academic Year Rates

Tuition Rates for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 Semesters
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,037 per credit
12 or more$12,448 per semester

Paying for Your Certificate

Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.

Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.

Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.

Military Benefits

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Additional Cost of Attendance Details

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:

Technical Requirements

Review the technical requirements for this program.

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Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a full master’s degree.

Degree Program Related to This Certificate

Some or all credits earned for this certificate can be applied to the following Penn State World Campus degree program:

Enhance your ability to manage effectively and promote positive change in your organization. This NASPAA-accredited online Master of Public Administration (MPA), offered by the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs, focuses on real-world skills that you can apply to your career immediately.

Learn more

Who Should Apply?

Penn State's Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management is designed for administrators and professionals who seek to advance their knowledge and skills in budgeting and finance as they relate to government and nonprofit organizations.

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Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser. 

To Finish Your Certificate in Less than a Year

  • Take 1–2 courses each semester

To Finish Your Certificate in One Year

  • Take 1 course each semester

Timelines may vary based on course availability.

 

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

Information for Military and Veterans

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Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

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Apply by August 21 to start August 25

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by August 21 to start August 25

  • Spring Deadline

    Apply now to start January 12, 2026

Steps to Apply

  1. For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

    GPA — Successful applicants typically have a 3.0 grade-point average in the last two years of undergraduate work.

  2. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.

    Test Scores — No test scores are required.

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

    Transfer Credits and Course Substitutions

    A student may be able to transfer up to 15 non-degree P ADM credits toward their MPA degree. Students should read the Fox Graduate School Policy GCAC-309 on Credit Transfer before putting in an application to the MPA program. Approval to transfer any credits toward the MPA degree must be granted by the student's academic adviser, the Professor-in-Charge, and the Fox Graduate School.

  3. To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

    Create a New Penn State Account

    If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

    Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

  4. You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    • Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

    Checking Your Status 
    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

  5. 5. Complete the application.

    Penn State Fox Graduate School Application

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

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Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management, please contact:

World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [email protected]

For certificate program information, please contact:
Autumn Wise
Penn State Harrisburg
School of Public Affairs
Phone: 717-948-6773
Email: [email protected]

The Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management is offered in partnership with the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs.

Faculty

  • Jane Beckett-Camarata

    • Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University
    • M.P.A., American University
    • B.S., Business Administration, Syracuse University

    Dr. Jane Beckett-Camarata teaches such master's courses as Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Management, Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting and Reporting, Budgeting, and the MPA Capstone. She has extensive previous experience as a state government financial manager and researcher. She researches and publishes in the areas of state and local government fiscal stress, debt management, operating budget volatility and debt management, bankruptcy, type and timeliness of local government financial reporting, capital budgeting and infrastructure finance, and intergovernmental transfers.

  • Odd J. Stalebrink

    • Ph.D., School of Public Policy, George Mason University
    • M.Sc., Business Administration (finance), Jönköping International Business School, Sweden
    • B.Sc., Business administration (accounting), Jönköping International Business School, Sweden

    Dr. Odd J. Stalebrink's research and teaching specializations are in the areas of public budgeting and financial management. His scholarly work has appeared in numerous peer-reviewed journals including, but not limited to, Financial Accountability & Management, Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Journal of Public Budgeting Accounting & Financial Management, Accounting Forum, The American Review of Public Administration, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, and Public Budgeting & Finance.

Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by August 21 to start August 25. How to Apply 

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