Admission Criteria

Undergraduate Credit Certificate Admission Criteria:
The criteria established for admission to an undergraduate credit certificate program are the same as for undergraduate admission to degree programs. Admission decisions regarding certificate applicants will be made by the Admissions Office.

Students enrolled only for a certificate program will not be subject to Regent’s Test requirements and may not be required to meet all course prerequisites.

International applicants must meet ESL requirements as established by the university (TOEFL, G-STEP). International students with an F-1 visa status are not eligible to enroll in certificate programs that are less than full time.

Applicants must meet all immunization requirements.

Transfer credit will neither be evaluated nor applied to a certificate. There is a 100% residency requirement for certificate programs.

Undergraduate certificate program applicants may be eligible for the Hope Grant.

Graduate Credit Certificate Admission Criteria:

Applicants must have an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

International applicants must meet ESL requirements as established by the university (TOEFL, G-STEP). International students with an F-1 visa status are not eligible to enroll in certificate programs that are less than full time.

Applicants must meet all immunization requirements.

Admission decisions regarding graduate certificate applicants will be made by academic credit-granting departments based on established criteria for the program.

General Administration Guidelines:

All credit certificate applicants will follow the same admission procedures as degree-seeking applicants. All application materials and documents will be submitted to the Admissions Office.

The $20 application fee will be required. Undergraduate certificate applicants will apply for admission using the Undergraduate Admission Application. Graduate certificate applicants will apply for admission using the Graduate Certificate Application.

No student, whether undergraduate or graduate, may be in both a degree program and a certificate program in the same semester.

Individuals who seek admission to certificate programs shall complete the certificate requirements prior to seeking admission to a degree program. Individuals wishing to apply for degree programs, whether undergraduate or graduate, must file an application for the degree program when the certificate is completed. Students subsequently admitted to degree programs must meet program requirements based on the catalog at the time of admission.

Individuals in degree programs, whether undergraduate or graduate, wishing to apply for a certificate program must apply to and be accepted into the certificate program during at least the last semester when they complete the final certificate requirements.

Certificate students are subject to the same scholarship and academic requirements as all degree-seeking students.

There is no appeal process for course substitutions in SPSU credit certificate programs.

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