Academic Graduate Certificate Programs

Scope

This policy does not apply to Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or other non-credit certificate programs offered by Extended, Professional, and Continuing Education.    

 

Definition

An academic graduate certificate program: 

1. is a stand-alone program that is distinct from a specialization taken in conjunction with or as part of a degree program; 

2. is designed to meet requirements for professional competence, expand access to specialized knowledge, or meet occupational needs for advanced interdisciplinary work; 

3. provides a set of learning experiences with a specific set of educational objectives; 

4. consists of 9–18 semester units. Certificates will require the completion of at least three courses; 

5. may be provided via self-support special sessions through Extended, Professional and Continuing Education; and 

6. has a formal application process and a distinct matriculation.   

Completion of an academic graduate certificate program signifies that a student has satisfactorily completed a sequence of advanced academic courses that provide instruction in a stand-alone, coherent body of specialized knowledge.   

 

Specific Requirements

1. The educational background and prerequisites for admission into the graduate certificate program must be clearly stated. 

2. The graduate certificate program advisor must verify that applicants have the appropriate and relevant background to meet the prerequisites of the program and to be successful in the program. 

3. Admission to a graduate certificate program requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in a relevant field of study. The applicant must have attained a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 semester units attempted or have earned a GPA of at least 2.5 in the last degree completed. Work experience may substitute (at the discretion of the program) for the relevancy of the bachelor’s degree and for the minimum GPA requirements. 

4. At the discretion of the academic department, up to 30 percent of the units that are applied toward completion of a master’s degree may satisfy the requirement of a graduate certificate program. Students must apply separately for admission into a graduate degree program. 

5. Students who are enrolled only in a graduate certificate program are exempt from the continuous enrollment requirement for graduate students. 

6. The graduate certificate program may allow a maximum of one 3-unit course in transfer credit, as determined by the graduate certificate program advisor.   

7. Upon achieving 50% of the units that are applied toward satisfaction of graduate certificate requirements, no further units will be counted towards the graduate certificate for non-matriculated students.  

8. Enrollment for all non-matriculated students in the first course in Academic Graduate Certificate Programs requires the consent of the graduate certificate program coordinator who will advise students of the matriculation requirements for the certificate before enrolling students in the course.   

 

Establishing Academic Graduate Certificate Programs 

1. An academic graduate certificate program, and all its courses, must be approved by the Provost upon the recommendation of the Academic Senate through the regular curriculum approval process. 

2. A graduate certificate program will generally consist of courses at the 5000 level. No more than half of the units may be at the 4000 level. No coursework may be below the 4000 level. 

3. A proposal template provided by Academic Programs and Planning will be used. 

4. The Financial Aid Office should be contacted prior to the establishment of a new graduate certificate program to ensure that federal regulations regarding "Gainful Employment" are satisfied. 

5. Academic graduate certificate programs do not require approval by the CSU Chancellor's Office.

6. Academic graduate certificates must undergo WSCUC Substantive Change Screening. The screening process will be coordinated with the Accreditation Liaison Officer in the Office of Academic Programs and Planning.  A substantive change staff or committee review could be required if the non-degree program is a new discipline, new modality, requires significant resources to implement, or requires review in accordance with WSCUC’s Agreements with Unaccredited Entities Policy. 

7. Academic graduate certificate programs will be published in the catalog. 

8. A graduate certificate program will be required to undergo program review at a frequency determined by Academic Programs and Planning.   

 

Awarding an Academic Graduate Certificate 

1. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for successful completion of a graduate certificate program. Students may not elect to take courses required for the certificate as credit/no credit. 

2. A graduate certificate program must be completed within 3 years from the first course taken toward the certificate. 

3. The title of the graduate certificate will appear on the student's official transcript. 

4. Completion of the graduate certificate program will be commemorated by a document bearing the University seal and signed by the University President and Provost.      

 

Sources:

Academic Senate Resolution: AS-774-14 "Resolution on Graduate Certificate Matriculated Student Requirements". Approved 14 February 2014.

California State University Executive Order: EO 806 "Certificates and Certificate Programs". Revised 16 January 2024.

California State University Executive Order: EO 1099 "Extended Education; Self-Supporting Instructional Courses and Programs". Revised 29 June 2022. 

Cal Poly 2022-2026 Catalog: "Graduate Certificate Programs".