In response to a growing need for collaborative approaches to complex problems that span multiple jurisdictional, sectoral, and organizational boundaries, the Hatfield School of Government, the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning, the National Policy Consensus Center (NPCC), and the Center for Public Service (CPS) at Portland State University have partnered to offer a set of courses that lead to a Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Governance.
The certificate program consists of 16 credit hours of graduate coursework and is intended to provide working professionals and graduate students with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully lead or engage in collaborative efforts designed to generate and/or implement sustainable solutions.
All core courses for the Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Governance are offered on-line. In addition, at least one of the elective courses (PA 577) is offered on-line. Non-certificate students may also opt to take one or more courses individually.
Program Objectives
1. Define collaborative governance and its value in public policy-making and creation of public goods.
2. Identify and exemplify principles of professional responsibilities and ethics in a collaborative setting.
3. Design and manage collaborative processes, partnerships, and networks.
4. Employ appropriate analysis techniques to understand and monitor collaborative efforts and outcomes, including the identification and application of relevant technical and scientific information.
5. Demonstrate leadership, as well as verbal and written communications skills aligned with principles of collaboration.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of group dynamics, deliberation, and decision-making by effectively engaging with teams and groups in collaborative contexts.
7. Identify and apply appropriate negotiation and conflict management theories and frameworks in two-party, and multi-party settings.
8. Employ computer and web-based decision and communications tools in a collaborative context.
For information, please email cgcert@pdx.edu. Learn more about the program objectives and course of study, meet our faculty, or find out how to apply now.