Government Certificate

Vision Statement

UNO's Department of Political Science offers an 18 credit hour graduate certificate in government for educators and other professionals who already have an advanced degree in another field and wish to expand their knowledge in political science. This certificate is designed to help educators meet the new requirements set by the Higher Learning Commission to teach government-related courses in institutions of higher education or dual enrollment/concurrent enrollment courses in high schools. This certificate can be earned completely online.  This certificate can be earned as a stand-alone program, or in conjunction with the MS in political science.

Program Contact Information

casgradonline@unomaha.edu
402.554.4121

Program Website

Admissions

General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

Program-Specific Requirements

Application Deadlines (Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025)

• Fall: Review begins February 15
• Spring: Review begins October 1
• Summer: Review begins April 15

Note: Applications will be received and reviewed until the term begins.

Other Requirements

For current students in good standing in UNO's Master of Science in Political Science Program:

• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Students must be accepted into this certificate program within their first 15 credit hours. Students starting this program after 15 credit hours may not be able to count previous completed coursework towards this certificate.

For students applying for this certificate as a stand-alone program:

• Baccalaureate degree or previous master's degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. 
• Nine credit hours in political science-related courses is preferred. The selection committee looks for previous coursework and/or professional experience in American government, political theory, international relations, comparative politics, and social science (quantitative) methodology.  Students without the noted background may be admitted on a provisional basis and be required to take prerequisite courses before starting graduate work. Students must earn a grade of B or above in each of these courses.
• English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission. 
  • Internet-based TOEFL: 80 (with no sub-score under 15), IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110
  • Passing with a minimum score does not guarantee admission into the program.
• Statement of Purpose: The personal statement should be 1-2 pages and address why you are seeking admission to this program, how your academic/professional experiences will contribute to your success in the program, and how the program will contribute to your future academic/professional ambitions.  
• Professional Resume
• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from a former professor (preferred), supervisor, or other professional contact who can speak to one's academic potential in a graduate program. If applicants have recently graduated from UNO, it is expected that one of the letters will be from a UNO political science faculty member. It is preferred that applicants use their references' institutional (.edu) or professional email.
• GRE scores are not required for admission, however, candidates may include them.

Degree Requirements

Note: Students who took undergraduate courses at UNO cannot take any dual-listed courses at the graduate level they took as an undergraduate. Students cannot have more than two courses ending in 8--5 counted towards their program. Other courses may be approved at the discretion of the graduate chair.

Courses may not be offered every term. Some courses may only be offered online or on-campus.

Exit Requirements:

Students must earn a 3.0 GPA or above to graduate with no more than one course graded as a C+ or below.

Academic Progress Policy

Students may be dismissed from the program after:

1. Not enrolling and/or successfully completing a course after two consecutive years.
2. Earning two or more W grades.
3. Earning more than one grade of C+ or below, even if GPA is a 3.0 or above.

Under extenuating circumstances, students may apply for a waiver through the GPC. If a waiver is granted, students may be updated to the most recent catalog year.

Students who do not successfully complete a course during their admit term, or allowed deferment time, will be dismissed from the program. 

Students may reapply to the program if dismissed for inactivity.