8.2—Graduate Certificate Programs

Certificate programs provide students an opportunity to demonstrate competence in a coherent curriculum or area of specialization at the master’s or post-master’s degree level to supplement work for advanced degrees or to further professional preparation. These are not free-standing programs; students pursuing certificates must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program.

Certificates Offered. Seven graduate certificates are offered: Certificate in Civic Education and Democratization, Certificate in Francophone and Post-Colonial Studies, Certificate in Global Food Security, Specialist in Educational Administration, Specialist in Latin American Area Studies, Specialist in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and Specialist in Russian Area Studies.

Program of Study. Students must select a program of study in consultation with the advisor. It must be approved by the advisor and must be within the rules of the Graduate Studies Committee. Information regarding specific requirements for each certificate is available from the Graduate Studies Committee responsible for the certificate program.

Credit Hours. At least 30 graduate credit hours must be completed. Only grades of “A” through “C-” may be counted toward the completion of the graduate credit-hour requirement. A minimum of 50 percent of the hours counted toward the credit-hour requirement for the certificate must be unique to the certificate and cannot be used for dual credit.

Academic Standards. The academic standards stated in Section V apply to students pursuing graduate certificates.

Application to Graduate. A student pursuing a graduate certificate program must submit the Application to Graduate form to the Graduate School no later than the third Friday of the semester (or third Friday of May session for summer session commencement) in which graduation from the student's graduate degree program is expected.