Academic Graduate Certificate Programs
A note about the distinction between graduate and professional certificates:
A graduate certificate program is a stand-alone program that has a formal application process and a distinct matriculation (see the definition, below). In contrast, a professional certificate program does not require a formal application process or matriculation. Students can enroll in academic courses that comprise a professional certificate through Extended, Professional and Continuing Education (EPaCE) without being matriculated at Cal Poly, and upon successful completion of all the courses required for a professional certificate can request a digital Certificate of Completion from EPaCE. The individual courses will also be listed on the student's official Cal Poly transcript. For information about professional certificates, see Cal Poly "Extended, Professional and Continuing Education (EPaCE)".
Introduction
- Academic graduate certificate programs are designed to provide a specialized area of study that meets the requirements for professional competence and to expand access to specialized knowledge. The subject matter is advanced and narrow in focus.
- The programs are typically designed for working professionals who are seeking to advance their career opportunities by obtaining specialized knowledge in their field or in a new field.
- This policy applies to credit-granting graduate certificate programs.
- This policy does not apply to Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or other non-credit certificate programs offered by EPaCE. This policy does not apply to existing academic certificate programs at Cal Poly, including Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Technical and Professional Communication.
Definitions
An academic graduate certificate program:
- is a stand-alone program that is distinct from a specialization taken in conjunction with or as part of a degree program;
- provides a set of learning experiences with a specific set of educational objectives;
- has a formal application process and a distinct matriculation;
- is designed to meet requirements for professional competence, expand access to specialized knowledge, or meet occupational needs for advanced interdisciplinary work; and
- declares that a student has satisfactorily completed a sequence of advanced academic courses that provide instruction in a stand-alone, coherent body of specialized knowledge.
Sources:
Academic Senate Resolution: AS-726-11 "Resolution on Guidelines for Academic Graduate Certificate Programs" (website). 8 March 2011.
California State University Executive Order: 1099 "Extended Education; Self-Supporting Instructional Courses and Programs" (website). Revised 29 June 2022.
Cal Poly 2022-2026 Catalog: "Graduate Certificate Programs" (website).
Last updated: 10/3/2024