Certificate Programs

The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration has been suspended as of Fall 2022.

The Nazarian College Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (GCBA) program enables holders of bachelor’s or graduate degrees in fields other than business to pursue a career change or advancement in the area of business management. It also provides an opportunity to experience Master of Business Administration (MBA)-level coursework without committing to an MBA program. For those who later decide to pursue an MBA, the GCBA curriculum provides excellent preparation for that degree. In particular, the GCBA covers the foundation courses of CSUN’s Nazarian College MBA program.

About the Program’s Cohort Format

Participants proceed through the program in a cohort (group) format, which means that all successful applicants in a given term will begin their course of study at the same time and move together with their cohort through the designated course sequence. Since all participants in a cohort take the same classes in sequence, the knowledge gained in one course can be built upon in those that follow. Cohort participants share a familiar, supportive, ongoing learning community and also enjoy the opportunity of networking together as a cohesive group with common career goals and life experiences.

The purpose of this certificate is to provide students who have previously completed a master’s degree or Pupil Personnel Services Credential or who are concurrently enrolled in a master’s degree or credential program in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling with knowledge and professional skills in career counseling theory, applications and program development; organizational theory; career and educational information; individual and group vocational assessment; and career counseling for special populations. These areas have been identified by the National Career Development Association (NCDA) as essential competency areas for National Career Counselor Certification (NCCC). Students completing the program will earn a Certificate in Career Education and Counseling, and they will be prepared for employment as career counselors in educational settings, including schools, business, industry and government, community-based agencies and organizations, and career counseling/consulting firms.

The Specialist Certificate program in College Counseling and Student Services is designed to prepare students for career opportunities and advancement in higher education with particular emphasis upon those positions that serve university and community college students on urban campuses. Special attention is given to working with diverse student populations, including returning, minority and disabled students. The College Counseling and Student Services program is designed for two types of students: (1) those individuals who desire training for entry-level positions in student affairs, and (2) those who are already experienced professionals in student affairs and want to increase their experience.

The field of complex systems is relatively young and evolving, encompassing a wide range of disciplines in the sciences, engineering, computer science, and mathematics. In this context, a “complex system” is defined as an engineered or natural system that is characterized by dynamical properties and unobservable interactions that may not be apparent from observations of its emergent behaviors. Moreover, those dynamics can be intelligent and potentially adversarial. With a strong emphasis on the application of mathematical theory, computational techniques, and modeling in the program, students and faculty will engage in research on complex systems.

The goals of this certificate are to:

• Train and prepare the next-generation scientists and engineers to formulate and solve complex systems problems.
• Advance CSUN’s mission to engage students in creative activities, particularly those from underrepresented in STEM.
• Provide the needed background training for prospective Ph.D. students in complex systems.
• Generate opportunities for industry employees to continue their interdisciplinary education and advance their careers.

This program will prepare students to apply mathematical theory, data-enabled modeling, and computational techniques to the study of complex systems in the natural and engineered world. Coursework will focus on the theoretical foundations of complex systems analysis with an emphasis on applications.

The Construction Management Certificate program is intended to serve owners’ representatives, consulting engineers, architects, design engineers, contractors and subcontractors who have a bachelor of science, but not necessarily in construction. Individuals with the certification will have knowledge of the fundamental principles of construction management, contract administration and construction law, especially for projects performed using alternative delivery methods. Certified individuals will contribute to meeting industry and government needs for professionals in construction management-related positions. The Construction Management Certificate program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management.

Certificate of Dietetic Internship

The Certificate of Dietetic Internship (DI) program enables students to complete the required hours of supervised practice and coursework necessary for eligibility for the Registered Dietitian (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam.

Advanced Study in Educational Therapy Certificate

The Educational Therapy Post-Master’s Certificate Program, designed in collaboration with the Association of Educational Therapists (AET), provides post-master’s degree students an opportunity to develop expertise and professional skills related to educational therapy. The program combines educational and therapeutic approaches for evaluation, remediation, case management and communication/advocacy on behalf of children, adolescents and adults with learning challenges. Students who complete the certificate program, which includes courses and field experience, will be awarded the Advanced Study in Educational Therapy Certificate. Graduates of the Certificate Program meet the academic course requirements to qualify for AET’s Associate level of membership. Moreover, 50 supervisory hours for the professional level of membership are met by the internship, which is the culminating experience in the certificate program.

Contact the department office at (818) 677-2596 for more information about the following certificate program.

The Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management for Engineering Professionals is designed for individuals who are seeking professional development in entrepreneurship and innovation at the graduate level. Individuals who obtain the certificate will have knowledge of fundamental principles of technology management, technical innovation and entrepreneurship, engineering economy, finance, leadership, marketing and strategies for sustainability. The certificate program is designed to help the student enable the creation of a new organization or transform an existing one. Whether launching a new technical business, working as an experienced engineer or leading an entrepreneurial unit within a larger high-tech enterprise, the Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management for Engineering Professionals can help the student build relevant professional knowledge. The courses included in this certificate focus on some of the challenges faced by technical entrepreneurs and provide a solid foundation for creating additional value within a new or existing high-tech business. Faculty members, with both academic credentials and relevant business experience in industry, will help students build these skills, tools and techniques needed to lead and manage innovation and creativity within an engineering firm. This applied program is offered in a highly interactive format, which provides flexibility to the working individual and also makes it possible to immediately apply what is learned in the program.

Ethnic Studies Certificate-Chicana/o Studies

The Ethnic Studies Certificate-Chicana/o Studies is an online program that provides a solid foundation in the disciplinary knowledge, epistemology, theories, and pedagogical skills in Chicana/o Studies. The program focuses on educators who want to teach Chicanx/Latinx Studies in K-12 and community college. Chicana/o Studies is an interdisciplinary, complex, and dynamic field of study. This program focuses on the social sciences, literature, educational issues, Chicana/o theories and pedagogy, and incorporates community based experiential knowledge.

The program provides community college faculty with the necessary units to meet the minimum qualifications for teaching Chicana/o Studies in community colleges and provide K-12 teachers with necessary content knowledge.

For those who lack sufficient foundational knowledge in anthropological method and theory, the CSUN Foundations of Anthropological Knowledge curriculum provides excellent preparation for entry into the master’s degree program in Anthropology. Students will complete coursework in general anthropological method and theory, as well as topical work in three of the core subfields of anthropology: archaeology, biological anthropology and sociocultural anthropology. Up to nine units of credit earned in this certificate program can be used to satisfy the degree requirements of the CSUN Master of Arts in Anthropology or the CSUN Master of Arts in Public Archaeology.

For those who lack sufficient foundational knowledge in archaeological method and theory, the CSUN Foundations of Archaeological Knowledge curriculum provides excellent preparation for entry into the master’s degree program in Archaeology or Anthropology. Students will complete coursework in the method and theory used by anthropological archaeologists, as well as topical work in the archaeology of North America generally or California specifically. Up to 9 units of credit earned in this certificate program can be used to satisfy the degree requirements of the CSUN Master of Arts in Anthropology or the CSUN Master of Arts in Public Archaeology.

This Health Administration certificate is offered through The Tseng College. The postgraduate certificate is comprised of five classes (select one specialization, national or international). The certificate is linked to the student’s Master of Public Administration degree and is a completely online program.

Notice: The Hospitality Management Certificate is currently suspended.

The certificate is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the global hospitality industry. The program provides leaders a combination of theory with practical applications for the diverse issues in the hospitality field. The coursework in the certificate can also be applied toward completion of the full Master of Science degree in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management.

Requirements for Admission to the Graduate Certificate Program

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, or allied field(s). Contact Tseng College of Extended Learning for more information and application.

Graduate Certificate for Instructional Games and Simulations

The Graduate Certificate for Instructional Games and Simulations (IGS) prepares students to utilize computer games and simulations for learning. The program is designed to prepare adults with interests in teaching, training or other types of instruction to understand the design and development of instructional games or simulations. Students learn key relevant learning theory and tools for assessing the effectiveness of games and simulations.

The postbaccalaureate certificate in Music Therapy is specifically designed for those who have already acquired a degree in music and who now want to enter the field of music therapy. The coursework is designed to enable the student to be prepared for a six-month internship leading to sitting for the national Board Certification Exam for Music Therapy. Upon completion of the program the student is awarded the Music Therapy Certificate, which will then allow the student to take the national Board Certification test so the student has the credential to practice music therapy on a national level. The American Music Therapy Association has approved this as an Equivalency Program. Additional information is available at Music Therapy FAQ.

Today’s nonprofit-sector professionals must possess a range of managerial and organizational skills that will enable them to function successfully in diverse environments as well as across multiple disciplines.

The CSUN Nonprofit Sector Management Certificate program, which is embedded in the Master of Public Administration degree, provides participants with in-depth exposure to administrative and managerial issues commonly encountered in nonprofit organizations of all kinds and sizes, with an emphasis on the urban nonprofit sector.

For individuals who are currently employed in nonprofit organizations, the Nonprofit Sector Management program affords an opportunity to expand or update competencies, while those seeking careers in the nonprofit sector will develop essential skills in the areas of budgeting and financial management, governance and advocacy, leadership and team building, organizational resource development, stakeholder relations and strategic planning.

Offered in collaboration with CSUN’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, this 18-unit program is taught by distinguished faculty with years of professional experience as nonprofit sector practitioners and consultants. Designed for working professionals, the program features convenient class schedules, maximizes interaction with faculty and facilitates the development of valuable networking relationships.

The Nonprofit Sector Management program is currently taught both on-campus and at the centrally located Japanese-American Cultural and Community Center in downtown Los Angeles. At the downtown location, the program is offered in the cohort format, which not only maximizes interaction with faculty and facilitates the development of valuable networking relationships with fellow participants, but also permits the completion of the certificate in only one year.

Important Notice: The Nurse Educator Certificate Program has been suspended until further notice and is no longer accepting new students.

The Nurse Educator Certificate Program (NECP) consists of five 3-unit courses (15 units) of learning-centered course content focused on methods/theory/practice of classroom and clinical teaching and instruction, and on leadership and faculty role development of the Nursing faculty. The 15 units of coursework will be offered over three semesters. Nurses who complete the Nurse Educator Certificate Program are qualified academically to take the Educator Certification Examination of the National League for Nursing (NLN, 2010).

Advanced Study in Parent/Child Specialization/Consultation

The Parent-Child Specialist/Consultant certificate is designed for educators and human services professionals who want to:

1. Expand their knowledge of child development and parent-child interaction.
2. Gain skills in intervention and consultation with parents, teachers and child care providers to enhance the quality of adult-child interaction and prevent serious problems from developing in children.

The certificated parent-child specialist will be qualified to assist and support parents (including adoptive and foster parents) in effectively applying problem-solving strategies to reduce stress on child and sibling relationships.

CSUN’s Certificate of Preparation for Advanced Studies in Speech-Language Pathology (Certificate of Pre-SLP) is designed for college graduates who (a) desire careers in the rapidly growing field of speech-language pathology but did not major in Communication Disorders and Sciences or Speech-Language Pathology as undergraduates, and (b) do not have the minimum prerequisite coursework necessary for admission to a master’s program. The two-year Certificate of Pre-SLP program enables participants to complete the minimum-required, upper division (third year/junior level or above) preparatory coursework for admission to most master’s-level Communication Disorders and Sciences/Speech-Language Pathology programs in the United States.

The Program Evaluation in Education and Education Related Settings Certificate is designed for individuals interested in acquiring knowledge and skills necessary for evaluating a variety of programs. The certificate program is open to private and public administrators, teachers, trainers, instructors, curriculum experts, counselors, psychologists and instructional designers, as well as those preparing for doctoral programs. Candidates should have a master’s degree or be concurrently enrolled in an Educational Psychology and Counseling master’s program. The certificate program is practice-based and focuses on academic, community and business (on-the-job training) program assessment and evaluation.

Essentials of Public Administration for Public Sector Professionals

The graduate credit Certificate in Essentials of Public Administration for Public Sector Professionals is designed for individuals seeking to expand their professional skills. This graduate certificate allows students to get exposure to the fundamental and essential issues in public administration. There are six graduate-level courses required for the 18-unit certificate, which has been formulated to assist working professionals in a wide variety of public and nonprofit agencies in the acquisition of skills required for professional competency in the field of public administration. This graduate credit Certificate in Essentials of Public Administration for Public Sector Professionals offered by the Tseng College of Extended Learning will emphasize the essential skills and knowledge in understanding such public sector issues as the institutional foundations of public administration, fundamentals of budgeting, organizational theory and employee motivational strategies and basics of public policy making. Working professionals will be able to use this program as an opportunity to maintain relevancy in a changing field.

The Quality Management Certificate program is designed for postbaccalaureate individuals seeking access to or advancement in quality-related professions. Certified individuals will have knowledge of fundamental principles of quality management and control, lean processes, quality applications in project or service environments, and specialized quality management methods. Certified personnel will contribute to meeting industry and government needs for professionals in quality-related positions.

The certificate in Real Estate is designed to prepare the individual who already holds a bachelor’s degree in a field other than Real Estate for entry into careers in real estate sales, brokerage, investment, management, appraisal or mortgage banking.

The Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) certificate program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), is specifically designed for those who intend to teach English to speakers of other languages—English as a Second/Subsequent Language (TESL) in the United States or English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) abroad. It provides certification that the candidate has received advanced training in the theoretical and practical aspects of English instruction from CSUN through courses taught by CSUN faculty. Coursework deals with the specific approaches to teaching English to people whose native language is not English. The certificate is ideally suited for those who teach in private institutions and in colleges and universities abroad, as well as those who work as teachers or tutors in adult education programs in California and elsewhere. Those who tutor English language-learners will benefit from specialized training in the theory and practice of language instruction.

Notice: The Tourism Management Certificate is currently suspended.

The certificate is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the global tourism industry. The graduate courses in the certificate are listed below. The program is offered online. The program provides leaders a combination of theory with practical applications for the diverse tourism field. The coursework in the certificate can also be applied toward completion of the full Master of Science degree in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management.

Requirements for Admission to the Graduate Certificate Program

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, or allied field(s). Contact Tseng College of Extended Learning for more information and application.

Advanced Certificate in Transdisciplinary Intervention

A University Certificate designed for post-bachelor’s students with a concentration of 18 units of selected coursework in the Early Childhood Special Education Credential Program. Provides interdisciplinary training to holders of bachelor’s degrees in one of the disciplines involved in providing early intervention services. Contact the department office at (818) 677-2596 for more information about the following certificate program.