100% Online Professional Certificate Programs
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Gain Impressive Credentials Online with George Mason University
Whether your goal is to enter a new field or advance in your current role, George Mason University’s Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) programs deliver the in-demand expertise you need for lasting success. Enhance your career in several fields, such as:
- Business
- Finance
- Government Contracting
- Human Resources
- IT
- Leadership and Coaching
- Paralegal
- Project Management
Our easy-to-access courses are designed for busy professionals. You don’t need to enroll as a Mason student to take CPE courses. In fact, there is no formal admissions process for some of our certificates, and you can sign up for several courses within a few days of their start dates.
If you don’t want to take a full certificate program, you can join us for individual courses as they suit your schedule. Most courses do not require prior experience, making Mason’s programs accessible to everyone.
Discover the rich online learning experiences available exclusively from Virginia’s largest research university.
Mason is:
- A community of over 37,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states.
- Recognized as a top U.S. research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions.1
- The largest public research university in Virginia.
- Among the world’s best universities that are 50 years old or younger, according to Times Higher Education (2022).2
- A Top University for Non-Traditional Students.3
Explore CPE’s Versatile Programs
Discover CPE programs that have the power to boost your career. You can pursue a certificate or choose individual courses that showcase your new skills with digital badges. Most of our immersive courses are offered online at your own pace, and several also take place in a live, engaging video format.
Gain IT Skills That Are Crucial to Your Success
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that from 2022 to 2032, computer and information technology occupations will be some of the fastest-growing jobs in the country; on average, 377,500 openings are projected each year throughout the decade.3 Whether you’re new to the IT industry or looking to expand and enhance your IT knowledge, Mason can help you build your strategic capabilities and take the next step in your career.
Request InfoWork With the Federal Government and Win Contracts
Government contracting centers on producing and delivering goods and/or services under the federal government. To maximize their resources, contractors must consider time, cost, ethics, accounting, and auditing. The programs listed here will provide insight into each of these factors to help prepare you for various contracting positions.
Request InfoEarn and Maintain Your HR Credentials in Career-Focused Programs
Our online HR course offerings can help you build a solid foundation in HR management skills. You’ll be able to solve complex HR issues and qualify for the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) certification.
Offered in partnership with SHRM, our courses cover real-life HR scenarios, including employment law, selecting qualified employees, compensation, the employee performance process, and much more. You will also learn critical information to keep you on track with compliance issues.
Request InfoFoster the Well-Being of Your Colleagues and Community
Leadership is more than being a people person. Confident, capable leaders are needed across every role and industry to help build teams, bolster morale, retain top talent, navigate changes, and contribute to an organization’s bottom line. George Mason University’s leadership and coaching courses are meant for anyone wanting to advance or strengthen their leadership skills.
Request InfoExpand Your Opportunities in the Legal Realm
Whether you want to become a paralegal or broaden your skill set in the legal field, George Mason University, in collaboration with the Center for Legal Studies, will help develop your expertise.
These programs teach you about the law, legal ethics, and how to prepare for successful litigation. Plus, you can hone skills that will help further your career. We offer topics in legal investigation, eDiscovery, alternative dispute resolution, software essentials, personal injury, and more.
Request InfoOptimize Projects as You Steer Them Toward Successful Completion
George Mason University’s Continuing Professional Education (CPE) unit offers a detailed project management curriculum in partnership with the Project Management Institute (PMI). Regardless of your official role within a company, you can improve project outcomes and their value as you work according to PMI Global Standards.
The project management program helps you qualify for the Project Manager Professional (PMP®) exam. It’s the most recognized certification in the industry and tells top employers that you can build business value with excellent project management skills.
Request InfoManage Risk and Support Federal Decision-Making
Enterprise risk management (ERM) is a strategy to identify and prepare for hazards in a company’s finances, operations, and objectives. ERM continues to grow in importance in the federal government.
Earn the RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional for Federal Government (RIMS-CRMP-FED), a credential developed by RIMS, the risk management society, and the Association for Federal Risk Management (AFERM). Add this credential to your professional profile to verify that you have achieved the level of expertise, education, and experience required to successfully manage risk and support decision-making in the federal government environment.
Request InfoTake Part in One of the Fastest-Growing Industries in the Nation
Mason’s extensive portfolio of IT courses is designed to build your strategic capabilities. Explore specialized courses in networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, software and application development, and more.
Request InfoAdd Pivotal Tools to Your Government Contracting Resume
Coursework in the Government Contracting series can expand your current skill set, qualifying you to work effectively with the federal government and win contracts. Choose from courses that are most beneficial to your ideal role.
Request InfoBuild a Solid Foundation in HR Management
Offered in partnership with SHRM, our courses cover real-life HR issues, including employment law, selecting qualified employees, compensation, the employee performance process, and much more. You will also learn critical information to keep you on track with compliance issues.
Request InfoDeliver Excellent Project Management to Help Your Organization Thrive
In partnership with the Project Management Institute (PMI), this program helps you qualify for the Project Manager Professional (PMP®) exam.
Request InfoPursue a Highly Respected Credential for Your Resume
Add value to your federal career path and pursue the Risk Management Society’s Certified Risk Management Professional for Federal Government (RIMS-FED) credential. This impressive credential showcases your skills to employers.
Request InfoPursue Advanced Industry Credentials
Mason’s certificate programs prepare graduates for nationally recognized exams as they bring their experience to roles in nearly every industry. Our certificate programs can help prepare you for the following:
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Showcase Your Knowledge and Boost Your Personal Brand
George Mason University’s CPE offers a variety of digital badges corresponding to our programs and knowledge tracks. You’ll have confidence knowing that your badges are validated by Credly, the world’s largest digital credential network.
Once you complete an eligible program, you’ll receive a digital badge that is linked to a description of the specific skills it represents. The badge is a quick, easy way for potential employers to verify your expertise. Add your badge to your email signature, resume, transcripts, and professional social media.
Join a Growing Network at George Mason University
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility.
Gain a High-Quality Education with GMU
With Mason University Continuing and Professional Education, you can earn credentials in a way that fits your life. Online learning lets you take exceptional classes in a convenient format. There are minimal face-to-face meetings, so students can learn at home, while stationed abroad, or while traveling.
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Get StartedSources
- Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. “George Mason University.” Retrieved Feb. 14, 2024, from https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/
- Times Higher Education. “Young University Rankings 2022.” Retrieved Feb. 14, 2024, from https://timeshighereducation.com/
- College Factual. “Top 10 Schools for Non-Traditional Learners.” March 1, 2019. Retrieved Feb. 14, 2024, from https://collegefactual.com/
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Computer and Information Technology Occupations.” Sept. 6, 2023. Retrieved Feb. 14, 2024, from https://bls.gov/
- RIMS—the risk management society®. “RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional.” Retrieved Feb. 14, 2024, from https://rims.org/