Program Format
The program is designed especially for directors and program managers at large public agencies who are well positioned to lead innovation and manage the redesign of public services at their institutions. Not sure if this program is the right fit for you? Please attend a webinar or reach out to our team at evansadm@uw.edu.
Prospective participants should consult with a supervisor regarding program participation. Your agency’s rules will dictate the process for covering or reimbursing program costs and agencies/organizations may have an internal process for participant selection.
While coursework and study hours (independent reading, completion of assignments or meetings with peers) will vary from quarter to quarter and week to week, students should expect to spend up to 10 hours per week on graduate certificate coursework. The certificate is a graduate level program and the time and intensity is commensurate with this level of study.
This program is designed for mid-career professionals. We welcome you and we understand that, for some, it may be decades since you were last in the classroom. We are prepared to support and guide you through the challenges of returning to school after some time away.
Courses
Evans will always aim to make course meeting schedules available as far in advance as possible so that you may build these dates into your personal and professional calendars.
For quarter start and end dates, holidays and breaks, and tuition deadlines please visit the UW Academic Calendar.
Attendance is expected at every course meeting. Students should review the course meeting schedule and ensure they are able to attend. In the case of an absence, the student should consult the course professor directly.
Application
This program is designed for mid-career professionals. We understand that mid-career professionals possess a wealth of professional experience and that their past grades may not fully reflect their current experience, knowledge or readiness for graduate study. There are several paths forward for applicants without the required minimum GPA. If you have any concerns about your GPA, please reach out to our Admissions team at evansadm@uw.edu to discuss options.
To protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, academic personnel, staff, and broader community, the University of Washington requires all students to be vaccinated against Measles, Mumps, and Meningitis Meningococcal ACWY, with certain exemptions allowed.
To review the details of this requirement and to find out how to submit your records, please visit the UW Immunity Verification Requirement page. If these requirements are not met, students will not be able to register for classes. Students are responsible for their own immunizations and requirements, and must submit documents themselves.
For the most up-to-date information on vaccine requirements, please visit the UW Immunity Verification Requirement page.
You may submit unofficial transcripts in the application stage. Upon acceptance into the graduate certificate program, you will need to submit official transcripts. The Evans School cannot receive your official transcripts. These must go through the UW Graduate School. For more detail and for the most up-to-date information, visit the Graduate School page on Official Transcript Requirements.
Yes. There is very little overlap with the Evans MPA program. The Leading Public Innovation certificate is a specialized program designed for folks working to make change in complex public systems. The core skills we teach are in human-centered design, and participants work in small teams to design and implement redesign projects in their agencies.