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_FAQ - Pursuing two programs (MPA plus CERTIFICATE)
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FAQ - Pursuing two programs (MPA plus a certificate)

How do I pursue an MPA degree and a certificate simultaneously?

You do not automatically receive a certificate (or degree) by taking the courses required, even if you are an admitted MPA student using those courses as your electives. You must have your primary and secondary programs showing up correctly on your transcript during your studies so that you can graduate on time. All certificates are listed on the degree page and each specific certificate webpage lists the courses and a description to help you make your choice.

If you are a NEW APPLICANT hoping to pursue both the MPA and a certificate, apply for the MPA program. You can add your certificate as a secondary program after you are accepted to the MPA as described in the paragraph below.  You should choose your desired certificate as soon as possible once you are accepted, though, because it affects course selection and your advisor needs to know which certificate you are pursuing.  All certificates are listed on the degree page and each specific certificate webpage lists the courses and a description to help you make your choice. Once admitted to the MPA,  you can add a certificate as a secondary program via the Change of Major form and submit it to your advisor.  Read the next paragraph for more information.

If you are already in the MPA program officially, it is not as complicated to add a certificate: you can add a certificate as a secondary program via the Change of Major form - contact your advisor for details. Two weeks after submitting this form to your advisor, check your unofficial transcript in Banner (inside myTSU) to verify that you are in BOTH the MPA and the certificate. Your unofficial transcript should appear as follows at the top once the process is complete.  If you do not see the correct programs listed, contact your advisor for further assistance.You must have the proper programs showing in order to apply to graduate for both programs and receive both on your official transcript - do not wait till your last semester to make any needed adjustments with the help of your advisor.

If you are already in a certificate program officially and want to be admitted to the MPA program, you must apply to the MPA in the standard way through the graduate application system GradCAS (after completing the inquiry form, you will be taken to GradCAS). The application requirements for the MPA are different than for the certificate, so you need to go through the full process. Verify once you have been admitted to the MPA that you have both your certificate and MPA programs showing up on your unofficial transcript, as described and pictured below.

What should my unofficial transcript look like in myTSU once I am successfully enrolled in two programs?  

Any student who is hoping to complete both an MPA and a certificate simultaneously must have the MPA showing as their primary program and the Certificate showing as the secondary program on their transcript. Otherwise when you later submit programs of study, etc. issues can come up, also at graduation time where it looks like you are in only one program rather than two.  

Screenshot of the upper portion of a sample unofficial transcript in Banner, showing the Current Program as Master of Public Administration and below it, the Secondary as Graduate Certificate with program Certificate-Hlth Care Adm Plan. An arrow points to the degree listing saying "Your degree appears as your primary program" and another arrow points to the certificate listing saying "Your certificate appears as your secondary program"

When in my MPA course of study must I add the certificate as a secondary program?  

If you are adding the certificate to the MPA you should complete the Change of Major form to add the certificate as soon as you decide, not wait till your last couple semesters of coursework.  Do not wait until your last semester in the MPA!

What classes should I take?

While these resources can be helpful, as a graduate student It is your responsibility to proactively seek program advising prior to enrolling in any courses and regularly during your progress through your program(s).  If you proceed and register without advising, you may end up taking courses that do not count towards the degree you hope for, or you may not complete your program(s) at the time you hope to.  You can determine the appropriate advisor to contact here. Also consult the specific website for your program(s). 

creation date:  2015.04.28

edit date:  2020.10.30