Widener University’s College of Arts and Sciences is now accepting applications for four new graduate certificates: Non-profit Leadership, Creative Placemaking, Diversity in the Workplace, and Urban Studies.

The certificates are designed to give students a cost- and time-effective way to earn graduate credentials and work toward a career change or a step up the ladder.

“Courses for these certificate programs are offered at night to best accommodate working adult learners,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Sharon Meagher. “We are also working with adult learners in mind to develop new Master’s Degree programs, which will allow students to customize a Master’s Degree by combining these certificates.”

Most courses in the new certificate programs also transfer to one or more of the university’s existing Master’s Degree programs. Therefore, students interested in a longer degree program can test the program first by working toward a graduate certificate.

To earn one of the new graduate certificates, students must complete four courses with a B or better within three years. Many of the courses overlap, which adds another layer of flexibility, because students can easily change programs, should they discover that another one better suits their needs.

Each of the four programs has a distinct thematic focus:

• Non-profit Leadership develops leadership, citizenship, communication, and civic engagement skills for work in the non-profit sector.
• Creative Placemaking focuses on theory and practice of how to use arts and humanities methodologies and content to create exciting and engaging programs that strengthen and build communities.
• Diversity in the Workplace educates professionals to recognize and address the issues surrounding the promotion and support of diversity in their workplace and professional lives.
• Urban Studies aims to give students a deeper understanding of urban and suburban issues to position them to take the lead in addressing those challenges in creative ways.