Policy 407.1

POST DEGREE UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATES
(Proposal 10-92)
(Proposal 2-06)
(Proposal 43-15)

Senate Policy 407.1

Catalog Copy
A certificate is a credential awarded for the completion of a body of courses focused on a
disciplinary or interdisciplinary theme. Certificates are noted on official transcripts and allow
departments to offer curricular options not able to be met by a minor or a concentration within a
major degree.

Certificates are offered to post-degree students who have previously completed a Bachelor's
degree. Post-degree students need to comply with current admissions and enrollment practices
and will be awarded certificates when the requirements of the certificate are completed. In all
cases students seeking a certificate should indicate their interest to the academic unit
responsible for the certificate. No credits can be applied (double counted) to the requirements
of both a certificate program and a minor or to two certificate programs.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the certificate as specified by the academic unit
offering the certificate, a student must:

  • Complete all credits used to meet certificate requirements with a grade of C or higher.
  • Complete a minimum of 12 hours, with no more than 25 hours for the certificate.
  • Complete at least nine of the credits must be at the 3000 or higher level.
  • Complete at least nine credits at the 3000 or higher level and one-half of the total
    credits used to fulfill the requirements of the certificate program of courses listed in
    the Michigan Tech course catalog and taught by Michigan Tech faculty members
    either on campus, at a field location, or through distance learning.

New certificate programs will be approved only when the goals of the certificate program cannot
be met by a minor or a concentration within a major degree or when an external professional
organization defines the content of a widely recognized certificate program.

Governing Policy on Certificates in Degree Programs
This proposal replaces Proposal 2-06, Undergraduate Certificates, which, in turn, replaced
Proposal 10-92 Definition and Role of Certificate Programs.

Effective Date
This policy will be effective starting the beginning of the Fall 2016 semester to allow existing
certificate participants to finish and for programs to convert existing certificates into minors, if
they so desire.

 

 

Proposal 10-92:
Adopted by Senate: 29 April 1992

Proposal 2-06:
Introduced in t he University Senate: 12 October 2005
Adopted by the University Senate: 26 October 2005
Approved by Administration: 8 November 2005
Approved by Board of Control: 9 December 200 5

Proposal 43-15:
Approved by Senate: 15 April 2015
Approved by Administration: 30 April 2015