Certificates in Business and Information Science
Certificate programs provide specific professional learning in a concentrated format. They are designed to introduce individuals to new or emerging fields of study, update existing knowledge, and expand employment opportunities. Some programs are designed so that certificate credits apply to a degree in that field. All course work required for certificates must be taken as graded credit.
Admission Requirements for Certificate Programs
To be considered for admission to any of the following certificate programs, the applicant must submit these materials to the Office of Admissions:
- Application for Admission;
- Nonrefundable application fee;
- Statement of professional goals;
- Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates (if applicable); and
- Official transcript(s) of previous course work from a regionally-accredited college or university. For post-baccalaureate certificate applicants, transcripts must show completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university with an earned minimum GPA of 3.0.
Requirements for Continuance in Baccalaureate-Level Certificate Programs
Students in the Certificate in Professional Business or the Certificate in Geographic Information Science may refer to continuance requirements in the specific certificate section below.
Requirements for Continuance in Post- Baccalaureate and graduate Certificate Programs
Students in a post-baccalaureate business certificate program are expected
to maintain satisfactory academic progress in their courses toward completion
of the certificate. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher is required for
completion and awarding of the certificate.
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) each
semester/session to remain in good academic standing. Any student whose
cumulative GPA is below 3.0 at the end of any semester or summer session will
have the following term to correct the deficiency.
A student who earns three Cs (including C+ and C–) or one F in graduate
courses in the program will automatically be suspended from the program.
Students who voluntarily interrupt their enrollment for one to three
semesters should refer to the Leave of Absence policy in the Academic Rules
and Regulations section.
Certificate in Professional Business (24 credits)
The Certificate in Professional Business provides an educational opportunity
for in-depth study and acquisition of key competencies required for effective
management in business. Students must have completed a minimum of 12
undergraduate credits with a C or higher at a regionally-accredited college
or university or obtain permission of the program director to enroll in this
certificate program. Courses are offered in eight-week sessions during fall,
spring, and summer, and are provided in online and blended formats.
Required Courses (24 credits)
ACCT 201 Accounting for Managers (3 credits)
ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting I (3 credits)
or LRSP 343 Leadership Theory and Practice (3 credits)
BPST 314 Business Legal Environment (3 credits)
BPST 316 Statistics for Managers (3 credits)
CIST 299 Introduction to Computer Information Systems (3 credits)
LRSP 306 Economics for Business (3 credits)
LRSP 344 Financial Management (3 credits)
LRSP 412 Marketing for Managers (3 credits)
Academic/Continuance Policies for the Certificate in Professional
Business:
A maximum of 12 credits of equivalent course work from a regionally-accredited
college or university may be transferred to meet certificate program
requirements.
Students must earn a minimum of 12 credits at the University of Mary
Washington for eligibility of the certificate.
Students must maintain an overall 2.0 grade-point average in certificate
program courses.
Certificate in Geographic Information Science (18-24 credits)
This program is designed to address the growing demand for GIS-trained
personnel in business, government, education, health care, and numerous
other settings. The field encompasses integrated hardware, software, and
database systems that are capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and
displaying geographical information. Upon completion of the certificate,
students may be eligible to apply for an additional professional certification in
GIS administrated by the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI).
Required Courses
GISC 200 Introduction to GIS (4 credits)
GISC 351 Spatial Analyses, Data Models, and Modeling (4 credits)
GISC 440 Application of Spatial Statistics and Models in GIS (4 credits)
or GISC 460 Designing Geodatabases (4 credits)
or GISC 471 Special Topics (3-6 credits)
GISC 450 ArcObjects Programming (4 credits)
GISC 491 Directed Study (3-6 credits)
or GISC 499 Internship (3-6 credits)
Academic/Continuance Policies for the Certificate in GIS:
- Students in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University may select courses in that College to meet certain certificate requirements. Such students are asked to consult with the GIS advisor for specific information about these options.
- Students with professional experience in GIS may have a maximum of one course or four credits waived with appropriate approval, but must take additional course credits to total 18 hours.
- A maximum of two approved courses (3-8 credits) may be transferred from another regionally-accredited institution to meet certificate program requirements.
- All classes for the certificate must be completed within a four-year period after a student is admitted into the certificate program.
- Students must maintain an overall 2.5 grade-point average in certificate program courses, or have permission from the program director, prior to registering for the final directed study or internship course.
- Students may be required to meet with an advisor for an annual review of progress and a summary review at the completion of course work.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting (30 credits)
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting prepares individuals to
assume greater responsibility in the management of organizations and their
accounting functions.
Persons applying to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
examination in Virginia must possess at least 120 semester credits, including a
baccalaureate or higher degree conferred by a regionally-accredited college or
university, or an approved equivalent. Such individuals must complete at least
150 semester credits in order to obtain a CPA license in Virginia, including
a minimum of 24 credits in accounting and 18 credits in business other than
accounting.
Students who intend to sit for the CPA exam outside Virginia should
consult with officials in those jurisdictions for specific requirements.
The accounting certificate is available to those whose positions and goals
require the knowledge and skills provided by the concentration, but who do
not wish to pursue the MBA. Completion of the certificate requirements does
not ensure acceptance into the MBA program, but courses could be applied to
the Accounting concentration in the MBA program.
Required Courses (18 credits)
ACCT 201 Accounting for Managers (3 credits)
ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting I (3 credits)
ACCT 302 Intermediate Accounting II (3 credits)
ACCT 303 Business Law for Accountants (3 credits)
ACCT 304 Cost Accounting (3 credits)
ACCT 305 Intermediate Accounting III (3 credits)
Elective Courses (12 credits to be selected)
ACCT 560 Auditing (3 credits)
ACCT 561 Advanced Accounting (3 credits)
ACCT 562 Income Tax Procedure (3 credits)
ACCT 563 Corporation and Partnership Tax (3 credits)
ACCT 564 Accounting Information Systems (3 credits)
ACCT 565 Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting (3 credits)
Graduate Certificate in Contracts and Procurement Management (12 credits)
The Graduate Certificate in Contracts and Procurement Management is
available to those whose positions require the knowledge and skills provided by
the concentration, but who do not wish to pursue the MBA. Completion of the
certificate requirements does not ensure acceptance into the MBA program. If
a candidate is admitted into the MBA program, the certificate courses can be
applied to the program.
Foundation Courses (18 credits)
(Must be completed prior to taking graduate courses in the certificate program)
ACCT 201 Accounting for Managers (3 credits)
BPST 314 Business Legal Environment (3 credits)
BPST 316 Statistics for Managers (3 credits)
LRSP 306 Economics for Business (3 credits)
LRSP 311 The Management Process (3 credits)
LRSP 433 Production/Operations Management (3 credits)
Required Courses (12 credits)
MBUS 516 Project Management (3 credits)
or MBUS 537 Contracting for Managers (3 credits)
MBUS 532 Federal Procurement Policy and Practices (3 credits)
MBUS 534 Pricing Contracts (3 credits)
MBUS 535 Negotiation and Persuasion (3 credits)
graduate Certificate in Health Care Management (12 credits)
The Graduate Certificate in Health Care Management is available to
those whose positions require the knowledge and skills provided by the
concentration, but who do not wish to pursue the MBA. Completion of the
certificate requirements does not ensure acceptance into the MBA program. If
a candidate is admitted into the MBA program, the certificate courses can be
applied to the program.
Foundation Courses (12 credits)
(Must be completed prior to taking graduate courses in the certificate program)
ACCT 201 Accounting for Managers (3 credits)
BPST 316 Statistics for Managers (3 credits)
LRSP 306 Economics for Business (3 credits)
LRSP 311 The Management Process (3 credits)
or LRSP 331 Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
Required Courses (12 credits)
MBUS 566 The U.S. Health Care System (3 credits)
MBUS 567 Health Care Economics (3 credits)
MBUS 568 Health Care Accounting and Financial Management (3 credits)
and one of the following:
MBUS 501A Organization Theory and Design (3 credits)
MBUS 516 Project Management (3 credits)
MBUS 537 Contracting for Managers (3 credits)
MBUS 558 Legal and Regulatory Environments of Technology Management
and Emerging Technologies (3 credits)
MBUS 569 Health Care Policy and Legislation (3 credits)
MMIS 500 Management Information Systems (3 credits)
graduate Certificate in Project Management (12 credits)
The Graduate Certificate in Project Management is available to those
whose positions require the knowledge and skills provided by the MBA
Project Management concentration, but who do not wish to pursue the MBA.
Completion of the certificate requirements does not ensure acceptance into
the MBA program. If a candidate is admitted into the MBA program, the
certificate courses can be applied to the program.
This certificate provides a comprehensive and detailed analysis of
each stage of a business project including the conceptualization, planning,
scheduling, evaluation, risk analysis, and control of a business project, and
other key areas such as total quality management, and leadership for projects.
This certificate is relevant to an array of business professionals, including
project managers, supervisors, general and marketing managers, and
practitioners seeking to learn more about project management.
Foundation Courses (15 credits)
(Must be completed prior to taking graduate courses in the certificate program)
ACCT 201 Accounting for Managers (3 credits)
BPST 316 Statistics for Managers (3 credits)
LRSP 306 Economics for Business (3 credits)
LRSP 311 The Management Process (3 credits)
LRSP 433 Production/Operations Management (3 credits)
Required Courses (12 credits to be selected)
MBUS 516 Project Management (3 credits)
MBUS 526 Organizational Change and Transformation (3 credits)
MBUS 537 Contracting for Managers (3 credits)
MBUS 539 Project Evaluation (3 credits)
MBUS 546 Risk Management for Project Managers (3 credits)
MBUS 547 Quality Management for Projects (3 credits)