Graduate education that fits your life journey
Stackable graduate education offers a digestible way to earn a master’s degree — in bite-sized pieces that fit your evolving life journey.
You can start by earning a graduate certificate or microcredential in an area that interests you, then expand it to a master’s degree by sharing the completed credit hours. Or, you can earn a master’s degree and a graduate certificate at the same time.
Certificate to master’s degree option — Complete a graduate microcertificate or certificate and apply the credit hours towards a master’s degree program.
Non-credit credential to master’s degree option — Complete an approved ASU non-credit credential and apply the credit hours towards a master's degree program.
Two certificates to MAS degree option — Complete two graduate certificate programs and combine them into a Master of Advanced Study (MAS) degree, giving you the ultimate flexibility to build your own master's degree.
Review the stackable options available, learn more about the individual programs in degree search and then discuss appropriate shared coursework with your academic advisor before enrolling.
Not all credit hours of certificate or non-credit credential coursework may overlap with the master’s degree.
Note: Students should discuss appropriate shared coursework with their academic advisor prior to enrolling. Not all credit hours of certificate coursework may overlap with the master's degree.
| Certificate | + additional coursework = | Master's degree |
|---|---|---|
| Autism Spectrum Disorders (Certificate) Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College | + additional coursework = | Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis), MA Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College |
Applied Behavior Analysis (Certificate) Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College | + additional coursework = | Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis), MA Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College |
| Applied Behavior Analysis (Certificate) Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College | + additional coursework = | New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences |
| Asian Studies (Certificate) The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | + additional coursework = | Graduate students currently enrolled in any discipline may pursue a certificate in Asian studies in conjunction with their degree program. Contact The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for possible graduate programs that can share hours with this certificate. |
| Communication Disorders in Multilingual/Multicultural Populations (Certificate) College of Health Solutions | + additional coursework = | College of Health Solutions Applicants are eligible to apply to the certificate program if they are enrolled in the MS program in communication disorders at ASU. |
| Corrections Leadership and Management (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Criminal Justice, MA Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Criminal Sentencing and Sentencing Advocacy (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Criminal Justice, MA Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Criminal Sentencing and Sentencing Advocacy Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Criminal Justice, MA Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, criminology, criminal justice or a related field, or if they are individuals who are currently enrolled in the master of criminal justice program. |
| Criminal Sentencing and Sentencing Advocacy (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Forensic Psychology, MS New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences |
| Digital Audiences (Certificate) Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication | + additional coursework = | Digital Audience Strategy, MS Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication |
| Domestic Violence and Evidence-Based Practice (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Social Work, MSW Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Domestic Violence and Evidence-Based Practice (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Social Work (Advanced Direct Practice), MSW Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Emergency Management (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Public Administration, MPA Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Geographic Information Science (Certificate) The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | + additional coursework = | Urban and Environmental Planning, MUEP The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Geographic Information Science (Certificate) The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | + additional coursework = | Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they are currently pursuing a master's degree at ASU or have earned a master's degree and are currently practicing professionals. Contact The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for possible graduate programs that can share hours with this certificate. |
| Homeland Security (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Criminal Justice, MA Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Latino Cultural Competency in Social Work (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Social Work, MSW Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Law Enforcement Administration (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Law Enforcement Administration (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Emergency Management and Homeland Security, MA Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Certificate) Ira A Fulton Engineering | + additional coursework = | Ira A Fulton Engineering |
| Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Certificate) Ira A Fulton Engineering | + additional coursework = | Ira A Fulton Engineering |
| Music Theory Pedagogy (Certificate) Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts | + additional coursework = | The certificate is intended to be pursued concurrently with enrollment in a master's degree program or doctoral degree program in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre. Contact Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts for possible graduate programs that can share hours with this certificate. |
Nuclear Power Generation (Certificate) Ira A Fulton Engineering | + additional coursework = | Ira A Fulton Engineering |
Participatory Governance (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
Public Administration (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
Semiconductor Processing (Certificate) Ira A Fulton Engineering | + additional coursework = | Materials Science and Engineering, MS Ira A Fulton Engineering |
| Sexuality Studies (Certificate) The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | + additional coursework = | The certificate is only open to current ASU degree-seeking students. However, with academic unit and Graduate College approval, up to nine credit hours of ASU nondegree credit may be transferred into the certificate program for those who eventually gain admission into an ASU graduate degree program. Contact The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for possible graduate programs that can share hours with this certificate. |
Transdisciplinary Transportation Studies (Certificate) The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | + additional coursework = | Urban and Environmental Planning, MUEP The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
Trauma and Bereavement (Certificate) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions | + additional coursework = | Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
Note: Not all non-credit credentials are part of an approved, transcriptable pathway. Students should discuss appropriate shared coursework with their academic advisor before enrolling.
| Non-credit credential | + additional coursework = | Graduate degree |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity professional certification | + additional coursework = | Computer Science (Cybersecurity), MCS Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering |
| Big data professional certification | + additional coursework = | Computer Science (Big Data Systems), MCS Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering |
| AI and machine learning professional certification | + additional coursework = | Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering |
| Software engineering professional certification | + additional coursework = | Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering |
| MITx MicroMasters® | + additional coursework = | W. P. Carey School of Business |
| Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Business (AIB) | + additional coursework = | Artificial Intelligence in Business, MS or Information Systems Management, MS or W. P. Carey School of Business |
| Certificate in Business Analytics (BA) | + additional coursework = | Artificial Intelligence in Business, MS or Information Systems Management, MS or W. P. Carey School of Business |
| Certificate in Foundations of Supply Chain Management | + additional coursework = | Supply Chain Management, MS or W. P. Carey School of Business |
| Certificate in Procurement Management | + additional coursework = | Supply Chain Management, MS or W. P. Carey School of Business |
| Certificate in Leadership | + additional coursework = | W. P. Carey School of Business |
| Certified Public Manager Program® (CPM) | + additional coursework = | Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions |
Note: Only the graduate certificates listed below are approved main certificates. Students may complete any other ASU graduate certificate that requires at least 15 credits listed in degree search toward the stackable certificate requirements for the Master of Advanced Study in Advanced Studies. Students interested in pursuing the MAS in Advanced Studies should contact the academic advisor of the main certificate for more information.
| Main Graduate Certificate | + Graduate Certificate = | Master of Advanced Study |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Data Science | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences |
| Clinical Research Management | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation |
| Communication Disorders in Multilingual/Multicultural Populations | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS College of Health Solutions |
| Community-Engaged Practices in Design and the Arts | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts |
| Computational Life Sciences | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Critical Theory | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Dance Teaching Artist Praxis | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts |
| Digital Audiences | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication |
| Digital Humanities | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Evolutionary Medicine | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Food Policy and Sustainability Leadership | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS College of Global Futures |
| Food Safety and Protection | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation |
| Global Security and Competitive Statecraft | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Health Care Innovation | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation |
| Interprofessional Healthy Aging | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation |
| Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering |
| Nonprofit Leadership and Management | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Organizational Leadership | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS College of Integrative Sciences and Arts |
| Project Management | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS College of Integrative Sciences and Arts |
| Real Estate | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS W. P. Carey School of Business |
| Responsible Innovation in Science, Engineering and Society | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS College of Global Futures |
| Scientific Teaching in Higher Education | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Social Entrepreneurship and Community Development | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions |
| Social Science Research Methods | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Spanish Language Pedagogy | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Statistics and Data Science | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Technical Communication | + graduate certificate + culminating event = | Advanced Studies, MAS College of Integrative Sciences and Arts |
| Transdisciplinary Transportation Studies | + graduate certificate = | Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Translation Studies | + graduate certificate =
| Advanced Studies, MAS The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
|