Collaborative Governance Program
Welcome to the Collaborative Governance Program at the UofA!
The 21st century workplace requires productive collaboration across different organizations, professions, and sectors. Executives, managers, and professionals, whether they work in the public, private or non-profit sector, are being asked to collaborate with their colleagues down the hall, across town, and around the world. New skill sets, strategies, tools and institutions can assist in sharing resources, solving complex problems together, and leveraging experience and knowledge.
The Collaborative Governance Program at the University of Arizona's School of Government and Public Policy (SGPP) is designed to meet the growing need of government, non-profit and corporate managers to find ways to work together across institutional, geographic, economic and social boundaries in many different policy domains, such as natural resource management, public health, urban planning and economic development, energy and public utilities. We share our expertise in collaboration in three ways:
Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Governance
The Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Governance provides critical skills training for effective collaborators, taught by leading collaboration experts.
Research & Resources
SGPP is a hub of cutting-edge research and resources on collaboration.
Community Projects
SGPP faculty and students work on a variety of service projects to facilitate collaboration in our communities.
Curriculum
The Collaborative Governance graduate certificate program requires 12 units, with 2 core requirements:
Required coursework (6 units):
Equip yourself with essential skills in conflict management resolution including negotiation, arbitration, mediation, and litigation.
This course is typically offered every fall semester.
Explore how government, nonprofits, and communities work together to tackle complex issues—blending theory, real-world case studies, and practical tools you can apply right away.
This course is typically offered every fall semester.
Gain an in-depth analysis of institutions involved in collaborative governance, focusing on key areas of structure, processes, innovation, and performance.
Please note this course will be available every other spring semester.
Elective Coursework (6 units) -- select 2 from the following:
An engaging and interactive course designed to explore effective strategies for managing public agencies.
Discuss the consequences of third-party management of public services, and develop skills in contracting, monitoring and measuring performance.
Equip yourself with strategies for engaging citizens and consumers of social and human services in policy advocacy and community decision-making.
This course will examine leadership and ethical questions encountered by managers and leaders in the management of nonprofit and government organizations. The study of leadership and ethical principles will be combined through the examination of case studies regarding problems in the management of nonprofit and government organizations.
This course is designed to provide an overview of the human resource issues that affect managers in public and nonprofit organizations. It will also address strategies in which volunteer leaders, managers, and human resource professionals can use to manage their organizations within the constraints of state and federal laws.
Other electives can be selected from departments across campus. Students should reach out to the Program Director for approval of electives not in the above list prior to enrollment.
Admissions
Application Requirements
- Unofficial transcripts
- completion of a bachelor's program is required with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Statement of Purpose
- 1 Letter of Recommendation
International applicants not already studying at the University of Arizona should review the Graduate College's admission requirements regarding English proficiency.
Application Deadlines
- Fall
- new applicants -- August 1st
- current student -- November 1st
- Spring
- new applicants -- December 1st
- current students -- April 1st
Ready to apply?
Submit your Graduate College online application at https://apply.grad.arizona.edu!
The $90 application fee is waived for current graduate students.