Graduate Certificate Programs

The number of graduate credits within a graduate certificate program cannot be less than 9 or more than half of the credits necessary for a related master's degree. Certificate programs approved prior to the implementation of this policy are exempt from these credit limitations.

To remain in good-standing, students pursuing a graduate certificate are required to meet the same academic requirements as those defined for degree-seeking students.

Graduate certificate students must meet all prerequisites for courses in which they wish to enroll.

Application of Credits towards Degree Programs

When concurrently enrolled in a graduate degree program, and with the approval of the sponsoring college, students can apply required coursework to both the graduate certificate program and, if applicable, to their chosen graduate degree program. Students cannot return for a retroactive certificate award following graduation. Students who have graduated from a degree program and wish to return to pursue a graduate certificate will need to pay a new application fee and apply to the Graduate School and the specific certificate program.

If a student later returns to UNF to earn a graduate degree, up to 12 hours of UNF credit earned as a graduate certificate student may be applied to satisfy graduate degree requirements. Any application of such credit must be approved by the graduate program and must be appropriate to the program. It should be noted that not all programs allow credit earned as part of a graduate certificate to be applied towards a similar graduate degree.

Completion of Program Requirements

Students are subject to the individual requirements of the graduate certificate program and will need to complete at least 50 percent of the required coursework in residence at the University (e.g., face-to-face, distance learning). Successful completion of the graduate certificate program will be noted on the student's official transcript separately from their degree program.

The graduate certificate is not viewed as a guarantee of admission into a graduate degree program.

Certificate and Transcripts

Once program coursework is satisfied the student may be eligible to receive a document acknowledging completion that is separate from a diploma conferral. Printing and conferring all completion documents from University certificate programs will be the sole responsibility of the Office of Records and Registration. All materials required to print and package the completion documents will also be housed within the Office of Records and Registration .

View the University's official policy for Graduate Certificates.