Graduation Requirements for Undergraduate Certificates

Overview:

This article outlines the student's eligibility to complete an undergraduate certificate without simultaneously completing a degree program.

Criteria for Stand-Alone Undergraduate Certificate

  • If a program is interested in offering a stand-alone UG certificate, it is advised the program faculty first meet with their dean and discuss the UG certificate’s curriculum efficiency and financial viability.
  • The certificate must meet the following federal criteria:
    • 16 or more credits
    • One year to complete
    • Clearly defines how the UG certificate prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation
  • Once those criteria are met, the program submits its request to the SCSU Financial Aid Office for review. If the UG certificate appears to align with federal regulations,SCSU (financial aid) will submit an application for US Department of Education approval. 
    • Only if the USDOE approves the UG certificate, will the certificate be eligible to be offered and conferred as a stand-alone certificate and be eligible to be funded by Title IV financial aid.

Note: To pursue a stand-alone UG certificate, students are required to have a verified Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree and be admitted as a student at SCSU.

Catalog Verbiage

  • If an UG certificate must be completed simultaneously with a degree program, the message is: "Enrollment into, completion and conferral of this undergraduate certificate must be done in conjunction with a primary undergraduate degree.  This certificate is not approved to be conferred as a stand-alone option.
  • If the UG certificate meets federal criteria AND is approved by the US Department of Education (through the financial aid office) to be a stand-along certificate, the message is: "If seeking stand-alone conferral for this certificate, confirmation of completed associate or bachelor's degree required.  If certificate is being completed in conjunction with SCSU undergraduate degree, conferral should be requested same time as primary program.

Note: A Coursedog curriculum proposal needs to be submitted for the certificate to have the stand-alone conferral approved.  Faculty should not tell students that stand-alone conferral is approved until the curriculum proposal has completed the entire workflow approval process.

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