The undergraduate Certificate in Event Management requires a minimum of 21 semester hours of credit, including at least 6 semester hours in event management coursework (prefix EVNT). Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in work for the certificate. 

Nearly every kind of organization has a need to create and manage events, from corporations to political organizations, nonprofits to sports teams.  In fact, there are dozens of employees just on the University of Iowa campus whose roles include a significant amount of event planning. 

The Certificate in Event Management provides students with an opportunity to learn about the profession of event management.  It combines experiential learning with academic coursework, resulting in students who have the practical and intellectual skills to succeed in this growing industry.

This certificate will potentially fit within any undergraduate major, combining its core courses with electives from the four contributing units. In this way, the certificate is both interdisciplinary and intercollegiate. The certificate is open to undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students. It can also be completed entirely online.

Students who earn the Certificate in Event Management will know and be able to demonstrate the basic principles of organizing a successful event. They will gain a robust understanding of the diverse field of event management and careers in the event management industry. 

In addition to these core competencies, students gain proficiency in:

• strategic and professional communication (oral, written, visual/design, interpersonal, group, professional, social media, and marketing);
• project management (goal setting, time management, financial, risk management, site and staff management, event design, and technology); and
• cultural and social awareness (religious, cultural, physical, and social nuances that impact event management choices; best practices for safe, inclusive events; and legal and ethical issues).

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the Departments of Communication Studies, Health and Human Physiology (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), and the Department of Marketing (Tippie College of Business) collaborate to offer the certificate. The Certificate in Event Management is administered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

For more information about the program, send an email to us at sjmc-evnt@uiowa.edu.

For more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the Certificate in Event Management, visit the UI General Catalog.