Fast-Track Approval Procedures for Certificates

The Graduate Council has a fast-track process for approval of proposals for new Bridge and Graduate Certificates, making it easier for programs to respond to rapidly changing demands for specialized certificates. Graduate Certificates are increasingly popular as a means of reaching new students and as well as for recruiting potential new students into existing degree programs.

Fast-Track Eligibility Criteria

Graduate Certificate proposals meeting the following criteria will be eligible for the fast-track approval procedures.

• The Certificate program has the same admission requirements and processes as the existing graduate program from which it is created, and these follow accepted practice;
• The Certificate uses existing courses in its curriculum;
• No new faculty or other new resources are required;
• Certificate completion requirements follow accepted practice.
   

Approval Procedures

Fast-Track approval eliminates the review by the full Graduate Council, shortening the approval time. Approvals include:

• Departmental faculty and chair
• School/college curriculum committee (or other appropriate faculty body) and dean
• New Programs Committee of the Graduate Council
• Provost
• Board of Governors
   

Proposals

Proposals for Bridge and Graduate Certificate programs should provide the following information:

• Certificate title, home unit, (affiliated master’s program for Bridge Certificates), inception date and contact person for the program
• Statement of how the proposed program meets eligibility criteria for fast-track approval
• Need for the program and how the proposed program will meet that need
• Program objectives
• Admissions requirements
• Academic requirements
• List of core and elective courses -- Prefix number, title, credit hours
• Administrative structure (academic oversight, admission, advising, program evaluation)
• Target audience and marketing plan
• Program evaluation plans
• Proposed Graduate Bulletin copy