Sharpen Your Expertise. Expand Your Possibilities.
Furman’s all-new graduate certificates offer flexible, high-impact learning for working professionals ready to deepen their skills, explore new directions or take the next step in their careers. Graduate certificates at Furman require the successful completion of four to six courses (12–18 credits) addressing a particular focus of study and can typically be completed within three to four terms.
Why Graduate Certificates at Furman?
In today’s fast-changing professional landscape, staying competitive often means adding new skills without stepping away from your career. Furman’s graduate certificates are designed for working professionals who want to enhance their expertise, strengthen leadership capabilities or explore new directions in a focused, flexible format. Each program provides advanced coursework taught by experienced faculty and delivers a recognized academic credential from Furman University that demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
Key Benefits:
- Flexible scheduling – Evening and part-time options make it easier to balance learning with your professional and personal commitments.
- Stackable credentials – Earn credits that can be applied toward an aligned Furman master’s degree.
- Faculty expertise – Learn from Furman faculty and industry professionals who bring real-world experience to every course.
- Applied learning – Engage in practical, hands-on experiences that can be immediately applied in your workplace.
- Community – Build connections with peers and benefit from a supportive network of mentors throughout your coursework.
Available Graduate Certificate Programs
Nonprofit Management
Develop the knowledge and practical skills to lead and grow mission-driven organizations with this graduate certificate. Through coursework in strategy, advocacy, design and fundraising, you’ll learn how to strengthen nonprofit operations and create sustainable impact in your community. A culminating applied learning experience makes it possible to apply what you’ve learned in real-world settings to advance meaningful change.
Sports Development and Community Partnerships
Learn to design and lead sports-based initiatives that strengthen communities, foster collaboration and promote social impact. This interdisciplinary graduate certificate integrates leadership, advocacy and marketing to help you harness the power of sports for positive change. Through applied learning and community partnerships, you’ll gain the skills to create programs that inspire engagement, enhanced participation and wellness.
Admissions Overview
Students must apply for graduate certificate admission. All students who complete the requirements for a graduate certificate will receive a certificate from Furman Graduate Studies. Graduate certificates are recognized academic credentials that will appear on students’ transcripts, but they are not awarded diplomas, as diplomas are reserved for degree completers.
All Furman graduate certificate courses can be stacked toward the completion of an aligned Furman master’s degree. Graduate certificate students may become master’s degree candidates by consulting with Graduate Studies and meeting admission criteria for a specific degree program.
For more information, or to apply now, click here.
Graduate Certificates FAQ
A graduate certificate can typically be completed within three to four terms. Four to six courses (12–18 credits) in a particular focus of study are required to complete the certificate.
All Furman graduate certificate courses can be used toward the completion of an aligned Furman master’s degree. Graduate certificate students may become master’s degree candidates by consulting with Graduate Studies and meeting admission criteria for a specific degree program.
Admission/Application Requirements:
- A graduate admissions application, accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable fee of $55 (fee waived if you have ever taken a graduate course at Furman).
- One recommendation submitted through a link sent to the recommender.
- Current resume.
- Official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended.
For more information, or to apply now, click here.
Courses are offered in-person or hybrid (mixture of in-person and online).
Entry is available every term (fall, spring, summer).
Cost is determined by the program offering the certificate. Please see our Apply page to learn more.
Both options are designed to help you build new skills and advance your career. And because you receive academic credit, both serve as a pathway to a full master’s degree if you decide to continue your studies.
Professional Certificates
Furman’s Center for Innovative Leadership offers professional certificates for non-degree learners seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge for ongoing career growth and enhancement. Students who complete a designated credit-bearing Furman graduate course will receive a professional certificate from the Center for Innovative Leadership. Non-degree seeking learners can enroll in up to two designated, for-credit Furman graduate courses. These for-credit course options can also count toward the completion of a designated graduate certificate or master’s degree. Admission into the graduate certificate or master’s program is required. See application details for more information.
Graduate Certificates
A graduate certificate is a program of study and credit-based academic credential for graduate certificate students seeking advanced knowledge and skills in a designated area of specialization. Graduate certificates at Furman require the successful completion of four to six courses (12–18 credits) addressing a particular focus of study and can typically be completed within three to four terms. All Furman Graduate Certificate courses can be used (e.g., stacked) toward the completion of an aligned Furman master’s degree. Graduate certificate students may become master’s degree candidates by consulting with Graduate Studies and meeting admission criteria for a specific degree program.
Contact Us
For more information about Furman’s graduate certificates, click “Email us” to contact our graduate admissions counselor.