Graduate School
graduate certificates
Graduate Certificate Programs


The University of Memphis offers 21 graduate certificate programs:

African American Literature
As we enter the opening decades of the twenty-first century, interest in African American literary studies continues to flourish. By preparing students to teach African American Literature and giving official recognition of preparation, the certificate program helps graduates qualify for jobs both within the United States and abroad.

Applied Lean Leadership
This graduate certificate provides students with competitive knowledge and skills for jobs in which Lean is practiced, and a cost-effective way to upgrade technical skills in Lean techniques.  The certificate is intended for the student who has a bachelor's degree and who is currently working full-time in a production or service industry, and is specifically interested in learning about Lean principles and practices.  Based on the Society of Manufacturing Engineers' "Lean Certification Body of Knowledge," a student who completes the certificate program will be expected to be able to pass the SME/AME/Shingo prize, Lean Certification Exam at the Bronze level.

Artist Diploma in Music
The Artist Diploma is a certificate program providing concentrated post-baccalaureate training for prospective professional musicians. Currently it is offered in voice and violin; it involves lessons and recitals at the School of Music and an internship at Opera Memphis (for singers) or the Memphis Symphony (for violinists).

Business Information Assurance
The primary purpose of this certificate program is to prepare participants to be able to make effective decisions regarding information assurance strategies. Students will become familiar with various methodologies for maintaining business continuity in case of an attack or disaster and will become knowledgeable about policy development, implementation techniques, employee awareness and training, assessment of effectiveness of security programs, as well as various other factors that result in long-term managerial effectiveness.

Cognitive Science
The primary objective of this certificate is to supply graduate students interested in Cognitive Science with interdisciplinary training in the major fields of Cognitive Science, Cognitive Psychology, Artificial Intelligence and Linguistics. The main focus is to develop core competencies to support research in cognitive science as well as applications in human-computer interaction, information systems, advertising and marketing, and design.

College Teaching
There are many who are qualified to teach in colleges today. But only few can say they are quality teachers. A certificate in College Teaching equips Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) with the knowledge and skill in effective college teaching methods.

Community College Teaching & Leadership
Studies show that over 60 percent of the nation's community college professionals will reach retirement eligibility during the next 15 years. The Certificate in Community College Teaching and Leadership is designed to prepare the next generation of community college administrators and faculty. Gainful Employment Disclosure

Disabilities Studies
This certificate program provides training for professionals who have, or plan to have, the opportunity to work with person who have disabilities. It will also provide students with a comprehensive background on the physical, psychosocial, vocation and legal issues that face persons with disabilities.

Family Nurse Practitioner
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate program provides a formal program of study for students who already have the Master of Science in Nursing degree and are interested in taking the national certification exam to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner without requiring them to complete a second masters degree. Gainful Employment Disclosure

Geographic Information Systems
The GIS Certificate Program is for those with a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and with an interest in using GIS as a problem-solving tool. The GIS Certificate gives students an interdisciplinary perspective that allows them to integrate GIS skills into their knowledge acquired in other disciplines; competitive skills and training for jobs in which GIS skills are essential.

Healthcare Informatics Leadership:
The purpose of this interdisciplinary post-baccalaureate certificate is twofold: to provide education training to individuals who are presently working in the area of healthcare information technology; and/or prepare a workforce of individuals to meet the industry’s movement towards electronic healthcare documentation.

Information Assurance
This certificate program highlights important aspects of information security and assurance technologies. The University of Memphis is designated by DHS and NSA as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance, and its IA courses are accredited by the Committee for National Security Systems for Computer Security standards 4011, 4012, and 4013. These security standards specify the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required to fulfill the duties, respectively, of an Information Systems Security Professional, Senior System Manager, and System Administrator. Gainful Employment Disclosure

Instructional Computer Applications
Computers are essential in today's classrooms. Teachers who know how to operate them are in the highest demand. Graduates completing this certificate learn to make the most effective use of technology in classrooms, K-12, as well as serve as consultants to faculty members and school administrators.

Literacy Leadership and Coaching:
The goals of this certificate program are: 1) to offer literacy teachers education beyond the state certified reading endorsement to prepare them to address the leadership needs across the region and beyond, 2) to provide an accelerated cohort-driven program of study that will enable students to receive a Certificate in Literacy Leadership and Coaching in a timely and meaningful fashion, and 3) to give official recognition of an expertise in literacy leadership to help students qualify for jobs both within and outside the United States.

Local Government Management
The objectives of the certificate program are: (1) Help working professionals upgrade their knowledge and skills of local government and theory. (2) Empower graduates of the program to succeed as effective and ethical leaders in local government administration. (3) Enhance the analytical and management capabilities of individuals who are responsible for the provision of varied services directly to citizens.

Museum Studies
Museums are a vibrant sector of our communities, with new and innovative ones opening every year. The Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program in Museum Studies is designed to give scholars enrolled in graduate study in art, anthropology, history, public administration, business, and education, or who hold graduate degrees in such disciplines, the skills to enter museum professions.

Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership
Every employee and volunteer in a nonprofit organization plays a role in meeting the philanthropic goals and charitable purposes of the organization. The Certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership is designed to meet the needs of these employees and volunteers looking for advanced study in the theory and practice of nonprofit administration. Ideal for nonprofit professionals, community volunteer leaders and active philanthropists, the Certificate is offered by the Division of Public and Nonprofit Administration. The Certificate requires 15 hours of graduate coursework, all available in both on-campus and online formats.

Software Testing
Software testing is a critical discipline as organizations increasingly rely on information systems that are becoming increasingly more complex. This certificate prepares students to both manage and participate in testing at all stages of the software development process. The topics and techniques are applicable to testing all types of software.

Teaching English as a Second Language
We live in a global community, where different languages and cultures interact on a daily basis. The TESL Certificate trains students how to teach English to speakers of different languages. And such training also helps students qualify for jobs within and outside the United States. Gainful Employment Disclosure

Urban Education
The 12 credit-hour Graduate Certificate in Urban Education offers an advanced program of study in the expansive and distinct historical and contemporary knowledge, scholarship, and practical issues related to instruction and curriculum leadership in an urban educational context that has a diverse population, is geographically bounded, and is unique in its political, economic and cultural history, relationships, and interactions.  The program of study includes a 3 credit-hour workshop that allows the student to explore an issue individually through independent study, online engagement, and engaged scholarship.

Women's and Gender Studies
Women's roles have changed remarkably over the past 50 years. The Certificate of Women's Studies gives students competitive skills and training for jobs in which the analysis of gender and race is essential, as well as education needed for entrance in selected PhD programs.

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Graduate Admissions
Wilder Tower 200
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN 38152
Phone: (901) 678-3685
Fax: (901) 678-5023

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Last Updated: 1/24/13