Graduate Certificate in Enterprise Architecture at Pennsylvania State University

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.

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.