Enterprise Architecture Graduate Credit Certificate Program

The certificate in Enterprise Architecture (EA) is designed to provide an introduction to EA and increase the knowledge of professionals seeking advanced leadership roles within an organization. EA strives to align the enterprise information systems and technology with business strategy and goals to enable the most effective use of technology to both support and grow an organization.

The certificate program is an attractive option not only for those who desire advanced education and do not want a full Master's Degree program, but also for students who might want to take a certificate to determine if they are interested in a complete professional graduate degree program in Enterprise Architecture and Business Transformation. Up to 15 credits of Penn State course work taken in non-degree status may count towards a graduate degree in EA, but completion of the course work neither implies nor guarantees admission to a graduate degree program at Penn State. Courses taken in the certificate program may be applied toward a graduate degree in Enterprise Architecture, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit. Certificate students who wish to have certificate courses applied towards a graduate degree in Enterprise Architecture and Business Transformation must apply and be admitted to that degree program. Admission to the Enterprise Architecture and Business Transformation graduate degree program is a separate step and is not guaranteed.

Effective Semester: Fall 2023
Expiration Semester: Fall 2028

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies. International applicants may be required to satisfy an English proficiency requirement; see GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

A bachelor's degree in a related area (e.g., information sciences, business architecture, or computer science), while not required, is helpful in the successful completion of the certificate. It is expected that students will have a foundation in information technology or enterprise architecture with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional work experience. Applicants with less than two years of relevant professional work experience may be considered but may be required to take prerequisite courses. For admission to the certificate, a 2.75 GPA, either overall or from the last 60 undergraduate credits, is needed. GRE scores are not required for non-degree graduate students.

Certificate Requirements

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in Graduate Council policy GCAC-212 Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs.

The certificate is highly flexible and is designed to meet the different needs of students and organizations. The courses are delivered online through the World Campus. With online delivery, the certificate can easily fit into the work schedule of professionals from around the globe.

All candidates are required to complete nine (9) credits.

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

Learning Outcomes

1. Know–demonstrate appropriate breadth and depth of an enterprise technology stack and the comprehension of its application towards the strategic leverage in an organization.
2. Apply/Create–use architecture frameworks and assessment methodologies to apply knowledge, and create new, applicable knowledge supporting advanced, creative accomplishment.
3. Think–demonstrate analytical and critical thinking within the enterprise architecture discipline; and, in particular, the ability to improve thinking around the use of strategic use of technology from a business perspective.
4. Professional Practice–know and conduct themselves in accordance with the highest ethical standards, values, and, where these are defined, the best practices of their disciplines; and, in particular, the ability to understand the current state of technologies available and know when to leverage their use towards gaining strategic advantage in an organization.

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