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Certificate Programs

  • Certificate Programs: Definitions and Requirements
    • A 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 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 a Certificate.
    • Minimum Credit Hours:
      • NYSED does not stipulate a minimum number of credit hours for a Certificate, but RIT policy requires that Certificates consist of at least three courses and at least 9 semester credit hours. Typically, RIT Certificates consist of at least 12 semester credit hours.
      • New York State does establish minimum credit requirements for financial aid eligibility as designated below.
      • 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 a Certificate program must be approved by the University and designated as applicable to one or more degree programs - either as part of the major, liberal arts and sciences, or as a free general elective. 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 Certificate, associate degree, and baccalaureate levels must hold at least a master’s degree in an appropriate field and have the background for in-depth teaching, curriculum development, and program evaluation responsibilities.
      • Certain occupational specializations may merit demonstration of competence alternative to a master’s degree. In all institutions, faculty with master’s degrees and beyond, and with substantial collective experience in college teaching and academic administration should be strongly predominant.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY FOR NYS FINANCIAL AID
  TAP APTS VVTA
Full-Time Programs YES NO YES NO YES NO
Undergraduate Certificate Programs—24 Or More Credits X   X   X  
Undergraduate Certificate Programs—Fewer Than 24 Cr; At Least 12   X   X X  
Graduate Certificate Programs—24 Or More Credits X     X X  
Graduate Certificate Programs—Fewer Than 24 Cr; At Least 12   X   X X  
Part-Time Programs  
Undergraduate Certificate Programs—24 Or More Credits   X X   X  
Undergraduate Certificate Programs—Fewer Than 24 Cr; At Least 12   X   X X  
Graduate Certificate Programs—At Least 24 Credits   X   X X  
Graduate Certificate Programs—Fewer Than 24 Cr; At Least 12   X   X X  

TAP – NYS Tuition Assistance Program APTS – NYS Aid for Part-Time Students VVTA – Vietnam Veteran’s Tuition Assistance

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