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New Graduate/Undergraduate Certificates

Effective this date and until rescinded, certificate programs of academic work shall not be added to the curriculum of the University of Georgia unless approved in accordance with the Bylaws of the University Council of the University of Georgia and submitted by the President of the University of Georgia to the Office of the Chancellor, Board of Regents, for information.

Policy and implementing guidance outlined herein are applicable to all certificate programs. Excluded from this policy are the certification activities of schools and colleges involving professional associations and state governments. No provisions stated herein are intended to conflict with the Bylaws of the University of Georgia or the Academic Affairs Handbook of the Board of Regents.

For purposes of this policy, certificates may be offered by one existing academic unit or by multiple academic units:

Formal Proposals

  • Formal Proposal for Certificates Offered by One Academic Unit:
    • A formal proposal is required when an academic unit contemplates adding a new certificate to the institution's curricula. The formal proposal will include the following:
      • Purpose and Educational Objectives
      • Need
      • Student Demand
      • Program of Study
      • Model Programs and Accreditation
      • Student Learning Outcomes
      • Assessment and Admissions
  • Formal Proposal for Certificates Offered by Multiple Academic Units: 
    • A formal proposal is required when multiple academic units contemplate adding a new certificate to the institution's curricula. The formal proposal will include the following:
      • Purpose and Educational Objectives
      • Need
      • Student Demand
      • Program of Study
      • Model Programs and Accreditation
      • Student Learning Outcomes
      • Assessment
      • Faculty
      • Facilities and Resources
      • Budget
      • Administration
    • Board of Regents' approval is not required to establish a certificate program; however, prior notification to the Chancellor of the Board of Regents is necessary.

Certificates are viewed as a complement or addition to an existing degree, rather than a freestanding credential. Thus, to preclude certificates from usurping the traditional role of degrees, the following guidance is strongly suggested:

  • Undergraduate certificates should be completed only by students who are making progress toward an undergraduate degree or by students who already have an undergraduate degree and wish to return for the sole purpose of securing a particular certificate.
  • Graduate certificates should be completed only by graduate students who are either prospective candidates for a degree or non-degree candidates who hold a master's or a doctoral degree.
For more information on this policy, click here.
To submit a request, please follow the steps below:
  • Click here to see a list of approved graduate certificates.
  • Click here to see a list of approved undergraduate certificates.
    • When you click on the link above, the form will open in a browser.  You will need to save the form and open in Adobe Acrobat.  This will allow you to complete the fillable form and add your signature.
    • Supporting documentation:
    • Please submit your PDF request to: April Brown at albrown@uga.edu.
  • New certificate proposals will need to be reviewed and approved by the Faculty Senate.  A representative from your department will need to be present at this meeting to discuss the proposal as well as answer any questions or concerns that might arise.
  • Once your request has been approved by both the Franklin College Curriculum Committee and the Faculty Senate, the request will be emailed to the Office of Curriculum Systems and to the Department Head. 
DEADLINES FOR ITEMS MENTIONED ABOVE
Materials DUE to Franklin College Franklin College Faculty Senate Meeting Dates Materials DUE to Curriculum Systems UCC Meeting Dates
August 11, 2023 August 22, 2023 Friday, July 28, 2023 August 25, 2023
September 8, 2023 September 19, 2023 Friday, August 25, 2023 September 22, 2023
October 6, 2023 October 17, 2023 Friday, September 22, 2023 October 20, 2023
November 3, 2023 November 14, 2023 Friday, December 8, 2023 January 19, 2024
January 12, 2024 January 23, 2024 Friday, January 12, 2024 February 9, 2024
February 9, 2024 February 20, 2024 Friday, February 16, 2024 (Agenda items must be submitted by this date to be effective for Fall 2024) March 15, 2024
March 8, 2024 March 19, 2024 Friday, March 22, 2024 (Agenda items submitted after this date will be considered for Fall 2024) April 19, 2024
*Any agenda items that are submitted after the materials deadline of March 22, 2024 will be held until the August 2023 UCC meeting, so they will not be considered until Fall 2024 semester.
QUESTIONS?  Please contact April Brown at albrown@uga.edu.

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