Advanced Certificate Programs

Advanced Certificate Programs: Definitions and Requirements

• A Certificate (or Advanced Certificate) is defined under New York State Regulations (50.1) as a credential issued by an institution in recognition of the completion of a curriculum other than one leading to a degree. Certificates are defined as a structured group of courses that focus on a specific area of knowledge. As such, they are stand-alone programs and focus on specific skills needed in the workplace for career advancement, career change, continuing education requirements, or personal education enhancement.
  • NYSED requires that Advanced Certificates be designed as stand-alone programs for qualified applicants outside of the university. A collection of courses that existing students can take to enhance their skill-based competency in a focused area of study does NOT constitute an Advanced Certificate.
  • Credits earned through a post-baccalaureate certificate (an Advanced Certificate) in which there is an approved master’s degree may, upon approval of the program and the graduate college, count toward a master’s degree.
• Minimum Credit Hours
  • NYSED does not stipulate a minimum number of credit hours for an Advanced Certificate. RIT Advanced Certificates typically consist of at least 12 semester credit hours, but this should not be viewed as a requirement. The guiding principle is that proposers have flexibility to ensure that the certificate's objectives are met and that a student will have the requisite skills upon completion of the certificate. If this can be accomplished in 9 credit hours, that is acceptable.
  • To be eligible for financial aid, New York State requires that students be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours of courses.
  • Any change in credit hours to a Certificate or Advanced Certificate requires NYSED approval before the change becomes effective. Submit a completed NYSED Change or Adapt a Registered Program Form to the Office of the Provost for review, approval and submission to NYSED. Your submission should include a rationale for the change in credit hours and how the change affects certificate learning outcomes and an updated Table 1a for a Certificate or Table 1b for an Advanced Certificate.
• Course Requirements:
  • All credit-bearing courses in an Advanced Certificate program must be approved by the University and designated as applicable to one or more degree programs - either as part of the major or electives. This assures NYSED that the course is part of a regular curricular review process. NYSED's New Certificate/Advanced Certificate form requires identification of the registered degree program title(s) to which the credits will apply.
• Faculty Requirements:
  • Faculty members teaching at the graduate level must hold earned doctorates or other terminal degrees in their specialty areas, except as indicated below.
  • Faculty members teaching at the graduate level without an earned doctorate or other terminal degree have significant, widely recognized special competence in the field in which they teach.
  • This is demonstrated through national or international publications, research recognized in the field and other contributions to the advancement of knowledge, professional practice or quality of life. The burden of proof is on the institution to demonstrate the special competence of such individuals.