UMass Boston

Prepare for leadership roles by exploring policy impacts at the intersection of gender, race/ethnicity, and class.

UMass Boston's award-winning Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy (GLPP) Certificate is one of the few programs in the country that explores the intersectional influence of gender, race/ethnicity, and class in the context of the larger policy environment. This certificate prepares students to serve at all levels of government, take on leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, hold elected office, and pursue advanced degrees in law, public policy, and other areas. GLPP graduate certificate students can also opt to apply for the Master of Public Administration (MPA)-GLPP track; if accepted, you can earn an MPA in only one additional year. 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the GLPP graduate certificate program move into leadership positions in

• the public sector including elected or appointed positions in the legislature or government agencies at the municipal and state levels
• nonprofit organizations focused on issues of advocacy
• research centers and think tanks
• the private sector including human resource offices, diversity programs, and corporate social responsibility initiatives

Many also continue onto further graduate studies, generally in law and public policy.

Women of Color and Public Leadership: Impacts and Successes

Watch the video of this June 2023 virtual admissions event for prospective students in the Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy graduate programs (certificate and MPA-GLPP track). Entitled, "Women of Color in Public Leadership: Impacts and Successes," the event had a special focus on BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse communities and all their allies. MA Senator Liz Miranda was the keynote speaker.  The event was co-sponored by the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC).

We invite you to "Request Info" (via the form on this page) to join our email list.

Please note that the GLPP graduate certificate program will only be offered online for the 2023-24 academic year; the on-campus option will resume in AY 2024-25.  Additional special options are available for international students this year. The GLPP program will host on-campus engagement events in the fall for our students to enable them to meet each other and the faculty and staff in person.  

For any questions or assistance, please contact the Assistant Program Director Muna Killingback at muna.killingback@umb.edu.