Graduate Certificate Programs
Take the next step in your career. Earn a grad certificate in just four courses.
A comprehensive list of certificate programs are listed alphabetically below.
For more information about a program or obtaining a certificate, contact: graduateadmissions@memphis.edu
= offered online
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.
Learn more >
Analytical Chemistry
This graduate certificate in Analytical Chemistry will provide students, who have
a Bachelor's in Chemistry or closely related field, a graduate level curriculum on
the foundations and cutting edge of analytical chemistry and instrumentation. The
subject material is relevant to industry and K12 education and includes topics such
as: separations (chromatography and others), atomic and molecular spectroscopy, nuclear
magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscropy, mass spectrometry, electroanalytical
chemistry, and surface analysis techniques. The certificate is offered by the Department
of Chemistry and requires 12 hours of graduate coursework. All credit hours for the
graduate certificate in Analytical Chemistry can be applied towards a Master's of
Science in Chemistry. View the Course Catalog >
Applied Economics Analytics
This certificate will help managers translate data into models to make forecasts and
to support decision making in a wide variety of fields, ranging from macroeconomics
to finance and marketing. It will provide tools to be a “tech” economist, using econometrics
and big data to analyze business problems.
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. Learn more about the online program > | View the Course Catalog >
Arts Entrepreneurship
This graduate certificate in arts entrepreneurship situates the College of Communication
and Fine Arts at the intersection of creativity, artistic expression, and business
acumen to usher in the next stage of big thinkers, dreamers, and doers in the city
of Memphis. The certificate aims to support the development and articulation of arts startups,
incubators, and other forms of entrepreneurship in order to build a creative community
Artist Diploma in Music
The Scheidt School of Music offers a graduate-level Artist Diploma in instrumental
performance, vocal performance, keyboard performance, and conducting. It is a one-year
program for very advanced performers seeking a highly specialized training for a professional
career. Admission for the Artist Diploma is highly competitive and limited to applicants
who have demonstrated exceptional skills in performance or conducting by audition.
Learn more >
Athletic Administration
This graduate certificate will focus on the administration of athletics across multiple
competitive levels (e.g., high school, college, etc.). Students must take 12 hours
in order to complete the program. A unique feature of this graduate certificate program
is that it has a flexible option whereby students can select from seven (7) classes
to complete the degree requirements. View the Course Catalog >
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Graduate Certificate
The purpose of the "Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)" certificate
is to provide training to practicing speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and teachers
on supporting the language development of children with significant language disabilities.
The certificate requires a firm background in typical language development as well
as language disorders and then moves on to applying this knowledge to the specialized
area of AAC. Once these prerequisites are complete, the certificate allows for an
elective in a related field.
Autism Studies
The purpose of the Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies is to provide practical
educational training to individuals who are presently working within healthcare, adult
disability and/or educational settings. Individuals completing this post baccalaureate
certificate program will be able to provide evidence-based decisions specific to the
treatment and education of people with ASD, design and implement highly specialized
evidence based instructional programs for people with ASD, and design and implement
common behavior management strategies shown to be effective for people with ASD. Learn more about the certificate program > | Learn more about the online version >
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field which combines mathematical
and computational sciences with biology and/or medicine. The graduate certificate
program in Bioinformatics will enable students from unrelated scientific disciplines
to transition to a career in data sciences in commercial, academic or healthcare research
settings. Students will gain knowledge in applied statistics, statistical tools, computer
programming, data structures, algorithm design, molecular biology and genomics. Learn more >
Business Economics
The courses in this graduate certificate will provide tools in microeconomics and
macroeconomics that will help managers make better business decisions. Also, this
certificate will provide training needed for students planning to take the Certified
Business Economist (CBE) exam offered by the National Association of Business Economists
(NABE).
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. Learn more >
Business Project Management
This certificate satisfies a demand for business project management professionals
in our region without requiring addition resources. It also creates untapped research
opportunities and collaborations for our faculty with the project management community.
Learn more >
College and Career Counseling
The certificate in College and Career Counseling is an online and field based post-degree
program designed to address contemporary issues related to career and college counseling
in schools. The certificate focuses on developing technical skills and expertise to
effectively prepare students to transition from high school to college or from high
school to vocational programs. The program is committed to addressing contemporary
issues influencing the field, by building awareness of social justice issues in the
college going process and utilizing student achievement data as a lever to design
programs that strategically target the achievement gap. View the Course Catalog >
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The University of Memphis' Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is intended
for individuals who are currently pursuing a Masters degree in school counseling at
The University of Memphis, or have obtained a Masters degree in school counseling,
rehabilitation counseling, or college counseling. The certificate will allow students
to complete Tennessee's Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) educational requirements
as well as the State's Mental Health Service Provider (MHSP) educational requirements.
Learn more >
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. View the course catalog >
Cyber Security and 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. Learn more >
Data Analytics for Management
The field of data analytics is exploding. Tools and techniques of data mining, text
mining, web mining, and artificial intelligence, combined with the use of "big data"
are driving marketing, finance, economics, and virtually all other aspects of business
to new heights. People with the right skills in these areas are in high demand. Targeted
towards a broad audience like Business Analysts and Managers who need to learn the
language and fundamentals of mathematical modeling and data visualization techniques,
this certificate will allow the student to successfully lead analytics teams and projects.
Learn what AI (Artificial Intelligence) can and cannot do for you using business use
cases. Use engagement metrics from popular social media sites for effectiveness measurement
and evaluate data patterns detected from structured and unstructured data to determine
a successful business strategy. Learn more >
Data Analytics for Technology
The business analytics discipline has become very important in information systems
and industry, due to increased access to big data, unstructured and structured data,
and strategic business decision making. These increasingly complex decision making
capabilities lead directly to competitive advantage and increased profits. Thus, trained
business analysts with skills in addressing data management and business intelligence
and analytics are in high demand. The certificate program requires completion of 12
semester credit hours. Learn more >
Data Science
The goal of the Data Science certificate is to help train a workforce of future data
scientists able to tackle the challenges and reap the promising benefits of the vast
quantities of data available today in all parts of the economy, society, and government.
At the end of the program, students will exhibit a deep understanding of how to manage
large volumes of data, discover patterns and make inferences from the data, use models
to make predictions about potential solutions, and quantify the reliability and effectiveness
of the outcomes. Learn more >
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. View the Course Catalog >
Entrepreneurial Media
The Entrepreneurial Journalism Certificate program prepares students to start their
own media-related businesses or bring innovation to legacy media organizations as
"intrapreneurs." The program emphasizes knowledge of business fundamentals, marketing,
advertising and public relations strategies for new businesses, and creating digital,
multimedia content for media products or promotions. Learn more >
Faith and Health
Faith and health have a long history of integration, especially in relation to providing
much needed care to underserved populations. There are instances of health needs influencing
faith based practices, while theological frameworks have a long history of influencing
health practices and providing care to those in need. Through collaboration with the
Church Health Center, this graduate certificate focuses on the intersection of faith
and health—providing students with knowledge and understanding of how these two key
areas influence one another in providing patient care. This certificate is ideal for
students interested in working within the medical field, within public health or faith-based
healthcare organizations, as well as similar professions. Consisting of 12 credit
hours, students will take part in two hybrid (in-class/on-line) courses and two practicum
courses (utilizing the Experiential Learning Credit). Learn more >
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. View the course catalog >
Financial Analysis and Planning
This graduate certificate program is designed for students interested in acquiring
the theoretical and practical financial knowledge and skills consistent with 21st
century organizational needs and financial industry careers.
Freight Transportation
The transportation profession is facing a significant decline in its workforce due
to the increasing number of workers eligible for retirement. Studies indicate as much
as 50% of the public sector transportation workforce is now eligible for retirement.
According to US DOT "employers will need to hire 4.6 million new workers with 417,000
of these positions created as a direct result to increased demand on our transportation
systems". In addition, the number of students pursuing degrees in the transportation
engineering area (primarily through civil engineering) continues to decline, and the
production of graduates is not keeping pace with the demand for skilled workers in
this area. The Graduate Certificate in Freight Transportation will enable individuals
with science or engineering bachelor's degrees to expand their analytical, practical,
and problem-solving skills in the area of freight transportation (e.g., supply chain
and logistics, maritime transportation, rail transportation). The certificate will
also enable them to transition and pursue advanced degrees (Master's or Ph.D.). View the Course Catalog >
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. Learn more >
Health Analytics
The Certificate in Health Analytics is designed to provide students with core training
in health analytics, including skills in biostatistics, predictive modeling, text
mining, and advanced programming/data skills demanded by community and health care
institutions today. Offered by the School of Public Health, this Certificate requires
5 courses (15 hours) of graduate coursework. Students completing this certificate
program will be competitive for a wide number of positions in the health care field.
Learn more >
Health Systems Leadership
The Health Systems Leadership graduate certificate, offered by the School of Public
Health, provides students with training in areas critical to 21st century healthcare,
public health, and community health leadership. Learn the skills you need to lead
the way forward in your organization, your city, and your world. The innovative curriculum
includes four courses and may be completed part-time and online over the course of
one calendar year. Case-based and team-driven learning help you apply what you are
learning to the real-world problems you encounter every day. Learn to lead change
and drive improvements and transformations across health systems. Learn more >
Higher Education Instruction
This graduate certificate program provides classes centered on quality higher education
course instruction for individuals employed in higher education institution as instructors/faculty.
The graduate certificate program courses focuses on quality course instruction, course
design and management, student centered learning practices, improved online course
delivery, practical learning theories, and real-world opportunities for engagement.
Hospitality Management Specialist
The Hospitality Specialist Graduate Certificate is designed to addresses the increasing
complexity of operating in globalized hotel, food service or travel industries. Student
enrolled in this program will gain advanced knowledge and skills that will enhance
their professional qualifications in the discipline. By providing advanced knowledge
and skills in hospitality management to professional in the industry, practitioners
will gain the expertise in the use of tools that have the potential to increase revenues
and profits in the industry. Course material focuses on the core functional areas
necessary to work in the hotel industry, including operations, marketing, finance,
human resources, and strategic planning. View the Course Catalog >
Imaging and Signal Processing (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
The graduate certificate program in Imaging and Signal Processing is intended to
provide students and practicing professionals the graduate background material to
further their careers in this important area. The subject area is important to many
application areas, but biomedical, sensing and signaling for commercial and defense,
and information technology applications are of particular interest. The program combines
traditional signal processing topics with optics and imaging, as well as computer
vision, pattern recognition, and multimedia processing. Computer programming simulation
and analysis are emphasized. In addition, the courses in the program are core courses
for the Masters degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and thus, the certificate
is also a portal to that degree. Learn more >
Instructional Design and Technology
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. Learn more >
K-12 Educational Leadership
This certificate program provides graduate classes to individuals already possessing
a master’s degree in an education field but are interested in engaging in graduate-level
courses and practitioner experiences in order to attain assistant principle/school
principle state licensure. Courses focus on K-12 school legal and financial issues,
leadership strategies, problems of practice, and provide opportunities for significant
field experiences.
Liberal Studies
The graduate certificate in Liberal Studies is intended to present graduate background
material for those seeking personal enrichment provided by liberal learning and the
development of those intellectual skills necessary to lifelong learning--critical
reading, scholarly writing, and the art of interpersonal communication. The certificate
requires 15 hours of graduate coursework. Learn more >
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. Learn more >
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. Learn more >
Multi-Tier Systems of Support
To address the mounting instructional challenges and concerns confronting general
and special educators, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) were developed. MTSS
use evidence-based techniques that provide varying levels of intensity in order to
increase the achievement of all students. Prospective teachers will have the opportunity
to take courses under the certificate as an elective working toward licensure within
a Masters of Art and Teaching program, a Special Education Endorsement, Special Education
Master's Degree or a concentration within a Doctoral Program. The principal goal of
the Graduate Multi-Tier Systems of Support Certificate is to provide practical training
to individuals who are presently teaching or are interested in working with students
learning and behavioral disorders in K-12 and alternative settings for school age
children. Learn more >
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. Learn more >
Nursing Education
The Nursing Education Certificate program provides a formal program of study for
masters prepared nurses interested in obtaining a credential allowing them to teach
in Schools of Nursing. The program provides them with the content necessary to teach
nursing students in a specific area of nursing. Once students complete the certificate,
they are eligible to sit for the national certification exam in this area. This certificate
is the optimal way for those already holding a masters degree and desiring this specialization
to gain marketability without having to complete an entire second master's degree.
View course catalog >
Nursing Executive Leadership
The Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing Executive Leadership provides a formal program
of study for students who hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree in another specialty.
The program prepares nurses for management and executive nursing roles in various
healthcare settings.
Organic Chemistry
This graduate certificate in Organic Chemistry will provide students, who have a Bachelor's
in Chemistry or closely related field, a graduate level curriculum on the foundations
and cutting edge of organic chemistry. The subject material is relevant to industry
and K12 education and includes topics such as: theory of electronic structure and
relationships with reactivity of organic compounds, mechanisms and reactions, reactive
intermediates, aromaticity, pericyclic reactions, the principles and philosophy of
synthesis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy mass spectrometry.
The certificate is offered by the Department of Chemistry and requires 12 hours of
graduate coursework. All credit hours for the graduate certificate in Analytical Chemistry
can be applied towards a Master's of Science in Chemistry. View Course Catalog >
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. Learn more >
Population Health
This graduate Certificate in Population Health provides core competency in biostatistics,
epidemiology, environmental health, health policy, and social/behavioral sciences
necessary to improve health on a large scale. With the Affordable Care Act, hospitals
are incentivized to improve community health so as not to incur repeat hospitalizations,
and this certificate is particularly relevant for those in the fields of health care
and public health. The Certificate, offered by the School of Public Health, requires
5 courses (15 hours) of graduate coursework, all available in both on-campus and online
formats and may be completed in 2 semesters. All 5 courses will apply to the Master
of Public Health (MPH) degree should students wish to pursue a graduate degree. Learn more >
Qualitative Studies in Education
The Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Studies in Educational Research is intended
to prepare students enrolled in any Doctoral program in the College of Education and
throughout the University to design, conduct, publish, and teach rigorous qualitative
research. The current academic climate has seen a paradigm shift from a strict focus
on objectivist quantitative research to a broader focus on constructionist/subjectivist
qualitative research methodologies. Recognizing this shift, our program offers students
the appropriate coursework and mentorship to advance their knowledge and application
of qualitative research traditions/methodologies such as ethnography, case study,
narrative inquiry, post-structural approaches, and creative analytic practices. Learn more >
Quantitative Studies in Educational Research
The certificate program is designed to provide students with formalized training
in quantitative methods, including research design, univariate and multivariate statistical
analysis, and advanced training in statistical software and programming. Learn more >
School Counseling
The University of Memphis's certificate in school counseling is intended for those
individuals who are currently pursuing or have obtained a Graduate degree in clinical
mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling,
or college counseling to obtain Tennessee Licensure as a School Counselor. Learn more >
School Library Information Specialist
The purpose of the Graduate Certificate for School Library Information Specialists
is to provide preparation and practical training to individuals who are presently
teaching or are interested in obtaining teacher licensure with a specialization/endorsement
as a School Library Information Specialist (TN DOE endorsement for Library Information
Specialist PreK-12 - 473). Learn more >
School Social Work
The purpose of the graduate certificate in School Social Work is to allow Master
of Social Work (MSW) students or MSW graduates to complete a specialized course of
study in school social work. School social work is a specialization in the field of
social work with
a focus on providing behavioral health services in the school setting. As an academic
program, school social work trains students to collaborate with children/youth, families,
teachers, and communities to provide supports that contribute to academic success.
School social work licensure requires an accredited degree in social work at the undergraduate
or graduate level. Licensure boards will not recognize the certificate coursework
unless it accompanies a degree in social work. View Course Catalog >
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.
Learn more >
Sport Nutrition and Dietary Supplementation
The topics of sport nutrition and dietary supplementation continue to gain momentum
in both the research world, as well as in clinical practice. Multiple peer-reviewed
scientific journals are now dedicated to presenting literature specific to the area
of sport nutrition. The same is true for the study of dietary supplementation. The
certificate is particularly useful for registered dietitians, strength and conditioning
coaches, personal trainers, and healthcare providers (e.g., nurses, pharmacists) who
may receive questions from athletes and/or patients specific to the topics of sport
nutrition and dietary supplementation. Consisting of 12 credit hours, students complete
three required courses, with an option for the completion of the final three credit
hours. All courses are delivered online and can be completed in any sequence. Learn more >
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Teacher Leadership
The goal of the certificate program in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics) Teacher Leadership is to develop the knowledge and skills of secondary
mathematics, science, and engineering teachers who are currently teaching in local
area schools. The coursework is designed to promote in-depth understanding of current
standards and instructional practices with a particular focus on building teacher
leaders in STEM education. Learn more >
Strategic Leadership
The Graduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership is a 12-hour program (four courses)
designed to provide theoretical and practical knowledge to enhance leadership skills.
The program is specifically designed for the working professional. Learn more >
Supply Chain Management
The focus of this graduate certificate is to provide students with a foundation in
the concepts, tools, and practices of Supply Chain Management.
Taxation
The focus of this graduate certificate is to provide students with both a practical
and theoretical foundation and applied hands-on skills. The graduate certificate is
dedicated exclusively to the study of taxation. It is designed for students who are
interested in studying taxation for their own professional practice, for a family
business, or as a career-builder by developing tax skills and broad business thinking
while working for small or large corporations.
Teacher Leader
The Teacher Leader Certificate Program at the University of Memphis is designed to
prepare practitioners in the field of education to develop leadership skills to support
instruction at the school level. This four course certificate can be completed in
three semesters. Specific focus will be placed upon developing leadership styles,
using data to improve student learning and developing instructional skills to support
colleagues. Please note that this certificate program does not lead to Tennessee licensure
or certification. View Course Catalog >
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. Learn more >
Teaching of Mathematics
Program objective is to provide content knowledge training required for teaching
lower division college mathematics courses. This training will help high school teachers
meet the content knowledge requirements for the teaching of dual enrollment courses,
and help satisfy the demand created by the Tennessee Promise program, for individuals
qualified to teach mathematics in community colleges. View Course Catalog >
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. Learn more >
Women's and Gender Studies
Women's roles have changed remarkably over the past 50 years. The Certificate of
Women's and Gender 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. View course catalog >