Graduate Certificate Courses and Requirements

Explore requirements and course information for Gies Graduate Certificates. For successful completion of a Graduate Certificate program, learners are required to:

• Complete a total of 12 credit hours within their program
• Complete the Graduate Certificate within 2 years
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75

Below is a table of courses that are offered for the upcoming semesters. You should always pay attention to the dates the course meets, the section of the course, and the CRN (Course Registration Number).  

Each course takes place on two platforms: Canvas and Coursera. In order to pass your courses, you must pass any associated Coursera MOOCs and obtain a Coursera certificate for each component. Failure to pass the associated Coursera MOOCs will result in a final grade of “F” for your for-credit courses.

For each registered course, you should budget 10 to 15 hours per week to complete all activities and assignments.

Accounting Data Analytics

The Accounting Data Analytics Graduate Certificate assists learners with the development of standout data analytics capabilities, and perform at the leading edge in the fast-changing field of accounting.

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Accounting Foundations

The Accounting Foundations Graduate Certificate helps learners grow in their technical knowledge of financial and managerial accounting while also shaping professional skills like critical thinking, communication, leadership, and decision-making. Learners will study the principles, concepts, and methods that govern professional accounting.

Learners should review the course offerings and select the learner pathway that best matches their professional and education background.

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Business Analytics

The Business Analytics Graduate Certificate offers in-demand business analytics skills including strategies, methods, tools, and applications that are widely used across business disciplines. In this Certificate, you'll study and use analytics languages, build data preparation and communication knowledge, and expand your business analytics mindset through exposure to theory, strategy, and application. 

This program is designed for aspiring managers, senior managers, and business executives who wish to have a well-rounded knowledge of business analytics that integrates the areas of data science, analytics, and business decision-making.

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CPA Pathways

The CPA Pathways Graduate Certificate will enhance the learner's technical knowledge and skills in financial accounting, taxation, and accounting data analytics. The program not only builds the expertise needed to excel as a Certified Public Accountant, but it also prepares them to sit for the CPA exam.

Some courses listed require strong accounting knowledge, or other knowledge to be successful in each course. Please review course descriptions and consult a Student & Academic Success Specialist when selecting your courses.

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Digital Marketing

The Digital Marketing Graduate Certificate is designed to help learners upskill and advance their career by mastering the latest digital marketing tools, techniques, and strategies. Learners will gain the skills they need to make data-driven decisions and create effective, targeted campaigns.

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Starting in Spring 2026, the Digital Marketing course offering sequence will change. Please refer to an updated sample schedule for the 2025-2026 academic year if you plan on taking the Digital Marketing Certificate in Spring 2026 and beyond.

View the 2025-2026 sample schedule

Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation

The Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation Graduate Certificate addresses how to recognize and question assumptions and constraints so learners can identify and capitalize on opportunities. Learning to change the rules of the game by creating innovative value propositions and discovering new market positions for sustained competitive advantage are some of the actionable lessons in this certificate. 

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Financial Management

The Financial Management Graduate Certificate covers the fundamentals of strategic financial management, including financial accounting, investments, and corporate finance. Learners will evaluate major strategic corporate and investment decisions, understand capital markets and institutions from a financial perspective, and develop an integrated framework for value-based financial management and individual financial decision-making. 

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Global Challenges in Business

The Global Challenges in Business Graduate Certificate prepares learners for the global challenges that businesses face in the 21st century. This certificate covers how business strategy is formulated and implemented in the global arena in all its complexities. It also covers the role of ethics and corporate responsibility in addressing global challenges such as poverty and the environment. Learners will understand global business and how to pursue opportunities and confront challenges in this arena responsibly. 

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Managerial Economics & Business Analysis

The Managerial Economics & Business Analysis Graduate Certificate prepares learners to effectively manage and operate a business by developing their understanding of the market characteristics and economics environment in which they operate. Learners will build a solid understanding of the operation of markets, how to assess the macro-economics environment with examples of real-world events, and develop an analytical framework to combine the power of theory and data to make effective business decisions. 

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Mergers and Acquisitions

The Mergers and Acquisitions Graduate Certificate provides learners with a well-rounded knowledge of key concepts that form the foundations of a successful M&A deal. Learners will learn how to use financial accounting and finance to express the economic realities of complex organizations, as well as the deal structures and transactions that shape the design of these organizations. The coursework includes a project that is a real-life investment banking case assignment, simulating the work that a Wall Street investment banking firm would deliver to a global, highly sophisticated client.

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Strategic Leadership & Management

In the Strategic Leadership & Management Graduate Certificate, learners develop the capabilities, confidence, and mindset to elevate the performance of individuals and teams, shape strategy, and drive competitive advantage for your organization. Learners will get frameworks and tools, as well as the knowledge and tools to help them as a standout leader. 

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Taxation

The Taxation Graduate Certificate is designed to develop leaders who understand (1) the U.S. federal tax system as it relates to individuals, employees, and sole proprietors; (2) the U.S. federal income tax treatment of corporations and pass-through entities; (3) state and local income tax laws prevalent in the U.S.; and (4) the tax treatment, issues, planning techniques and underlying government policies involved in doing business internationally.

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Value Chain Management

The Value Chain Management Graduate Certificate focuses on understanding what different customers value, measuring inputs, and outputs to assess value, and generating higher value for customers and greater surplus for owners. Learners will gain competencies that are critical for managers in any functional area, including how to create, model, analyze, and maximize value in accounting, operations, and marketing.

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