Description
A graduate certificate program is limited in scope relative to a graduate degree program but provides an opportunity for advanced study with a particular focus. Successful completion of a graduate certificate program is a coherent academic
accomplishment that leads to an official notation on the student’s transcript. Subject to the regulations that govern a specific program, a graduate certificate can often serve as an intermediate accomplishment for a student whose ultimate goal is a graduate degree.
Certificate Requirements
The curriculum of a graduate certificate program is a set of academic courses identified by the university as suitable for properly qualified students who wish to study a clearly delineated topic within a disciplinary or interdisciplinary setting. The curriculum may include both specific courses and a selection of elective courses.
Credit Requirements
The program of study leading to a graduate certificate must satisfy the following two stipulations:
- The total credit requirement cannot exceed half of the total number of credits required by the most closely related master’s degree program offered by the university;
- The total credit requirement must include at least nine graduate credits earned in courses exclusive of university-wide graduate courses (6955, 6965, 6975, 6985, 6995). Any deviation by the. certificate curriculum from these two stipulations must be approved by the Graduate Council.
In all cases, at least two thirds of the total credit requirement must be earned at Metropolitan State University of Denver since admission to the program. All credit must be academic credit and must be approved for application by the graduate program director.
Culminating Activity
A culminating activity is normally not a requirement of a graduate certificate program but is not precluded from being a requirement. If a culminating activity is required, it must be of limited scope relative to the culminating activity required by the most closely related master’s degree program offered by the university. The culminating activity must be represented in the total credit requirements using an appropriate course number.
Duration of Graduate Study
All requirements for a graduate certificate (including transfer courses) must be started and completed within a single continuous interval of no more than four (4) years. This single continuous interval includes summers and any semesters in which the graduate student is not enrolled. In addition, it must encompass all courses applied to the certificate, including transfer courses.
Restrictions on Certain Courses
All graduate certificate programs must be consistent with the following restrictions. A particular certificate program may impose more stringent restrictions.
Previously Applied Courses- In general, any course applied to a previously earned degree of any type at any institution cannot be applied to meet the credit requirements of a graduate certificate program. An exception that applies to a specific certificate program may be approved by the Graduate Council. Courses allowed under this exception are limited by the fundamental requirement that at least two thirds (2/3) of the total credit requirement for the program must be earned at Metropolitan State University of Denver after admission to the program.
Simultaneous Enrollment in a Graduate Certificate and Degree Program
A student may be enrolled simultaneously in a graduate certificate program and a graduate degree program subject to the following conditions:
- The specific policies of the two programs permit co-enrollment.
- The co-enrollment is approved by the directors of both graduate programs and the Associate Vice President of the Office of Graduate Studies.
- All “Duration of Graduate Study” time constraints imposed by the Office of Graduate Studies that govern the applicability of the credit must be met for both the graduate certificate program and the graduate degree program.
Enrollment in More Than One Certificate Program
Simultaneous enrollment in two graduate certificate programs is permitted, but only under the condition that both certificate programs allow simultaneous enrollment. Simultaneous enrollment in more than two graduate certificate programs is prohibited by the Office of Graduate Studies.
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