As part of the Fairfield University Executive and Professional Education Center’s mission to offer academic programs that further working professionals’ career and educational goals, the College of Arts and Sciences has launched two new graduate certificate programs in the fields of applied statistics and nonprofit management.

The twelve-credit mathematics and public administration certificate programs are designed with busy professionals in mind and combine individual attention with flexible course work to meet students where they are and give them the skills they need to succeed in their careers.

“Graduate and professional certificates are growing in popularity for a couple of reasons,” explained Walter Rankin, PhD, vice provost for continuing and professional studies. “In addition to allowing students to focus on a single topic or skill set that really interests them, they can often be completed in just a few months to a year, making them more attainable for individuals working full-time.”

Developed for working professionals and graduate students interested in gaining a solid background in the fundamentals of statistics, the Department of Mathematics’ applied statistics certificate program blends practical and theoretical data analysis to train students in the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of numerical data. Students are required to complete four, three-credit courses in applied statistics, probability theory, and statistics theory for a total of 12 credit hours of graduate coursework.

“Building competency in the field of applied statistics is beneficial to a wide range of careers,” said Stephen Sawin, PhD, director of the MS in Mathematics program. “Whether you work in business, education, engineering, government, healthcare, science, or technology, this program helps professionals hone the data analytic skills needed to become a more valuable and efficient problem solver in the workplace.”

The master’s of public administration certificate program in nonprofit management provides an opportunity for professionals interested in or already working in the nonprofit sector to develop and refine the competencies needed to manage effectively and lead a financially stable and impactful organization in today’s challenging economy. In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of the foundation of public administration within a nonprofit organization, students also learn important skills to enhance their role as a public administrator, including grant writing, project management, and financial management.

“Whether you are assuming a nonprofit leadership role, aspiring to one, or hoping to gain a greater understanding of a nonprofit that you already work in tandem with, our graduate certificate program is designed to sharpen your analytical and management skills so you can effectively evaluate and strengthen an organization’s performance to help ensure long-term stability,” said Mark LeClair, PhD, director of the Master of Public Administration program.

Upon successful completion of both the nonprofit management and applied statistics programs’ required courses, students are awarded a graduate certificate and a graduate credit transcript that can be applied toward a master’s of public administration (MPA) or master’s of science in mathematics at Fairfield University.

For more information on the graduate certificate programs available through the College of Arts and Sciences, visit fairfield.edu/certificates.