A graduate certificate is defined in the OSU Catalog as "a structured progression of graduate-level courses that constitute a coherent body of study with a specifically defined focus within a single discipline or a logical combination of disciplines. It is designed for students who have completed a baccalaureate degree and are in pursuit of advanced-level learning." A graduate certificate requires a minimum of 18 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater, and may include a final project, portfolio, or report for integration of the sequence of course materials. There is no formal committee requirement for graduate certificates. Certificate students are subject to all general policies governing the courses for the Master's degree. Up to 6 quarter credits may be transferred from an accredited institution toward an 18-credit graduate certificate program.

A designated graduate certificate program coordinator oversees each individual program. The program coordinator is responsible for all aspects of administration of the program—applicant screening, admissions recommendations, and biennial reporting to the Graduate School. The Graduate School is responsible for certification of program completion.

Students must be admitted to Oregon State University, either into a graduate degree program or into a graduate certificate program. This requires that the student hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Individual certificate programs may specify additional requirements, including minimally acceptable grade point averages. Students may be reclassified as "advanced degree students" by following the procedure listed in the Graduate Student Information section of the OSU Catalog. Credit earned at OSU prior to admission to the certificate program may be applied toward a certificate as transfer credit, per current graduate credit transfer policy.

Courses and certificates completed will be transcripted by the OSU Registrar as a part of the student's permanent university record. The certificate is awarded when all course material is satisfactorily completed and a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 has been attained for all courses to be used toward the certificate. Award of a separate document suitable for framing will be at the discretion of (and will be the responsibility of) the unit administering the program.

Credits earned in fulfillment of a graduate certificate program may be applied to a graduate degree program at OSU, so long as they meet the appropriate standards for use in the degree and the transfer policy as defined in the Graduate Student Information section of the OSU Catalog. Courses completed for a degree program may likewise be applied toward a certificate program. Courses completed no more than 7 years prior to the certificate award date may be used to satisfy requirements.

Proposals to establish new undergraduate and graduate certificates can be created via the Curriculum Proposal System.

Additional Information: New Program Proposals
 

Approved By Date
Faculty Senate Graduate Council 02/02/2018
Faculty Senate Graduate Council 06/12/2003
Faculty Senate Graduate Council 06/12/2001