Graduate Microcertificate Proposal Development

A UNF graduate microcertificate is a collection of related credit-bearing graduate coursework smaller than an academic certificate or degree and narrower in focus, designed to provide in-demand workforce skills and competencies. At UNF, graduate microcertificates range from 5 to 8 credit hours.

A graduate microcertificate offers a low-risk way to explore graduate education and can serve as a stepping stone to a degree program while still holding significant value on its own. Alternative credentials offered by accredited institutions of higher education like UNF are more trusted than those offered by non-academic providers.

UNF graduate microcertificates should be intentionally designed to address workforce needs rather than merely breaking existing certificates or curriculum into numerous microcertificates.

• Provide participants with an introduction to your graduate program
• Provide participants with enhanced skills and expertise to enhance career advancement
• Provide upskilling for employees of an industry partner
• Stack into a certificate or degree program
• Reach underserved populations of learners who cannot afford the cost or time commitment of a traditional degree program
• Increase the program enrollment funnel

Interested academic programs should consult with the Graduate School prior to submitting a proposal.

Only coursework that has been approved through the faculty governance (APC) process can be used to develop a graduate microcertificate. The learning objectives for coursework must directly relate to workforce skills.

Graduate programs may offer two graduate microcertificates that ‘stack’ into one certificate. Students must first apply to UNF to start the microcertificates, then apply to the certificate program, and finally apply to graduate with the certificate during the semester they are enrolled in the last course. Students may request to apply up to 12 credits earned at UNF while pursuing graduate microcertificates to satisfy graduate degree requirements. Application of such credit must be approved by the graduate program and in accordance with the Graduate Transfer Credit Policy.

Faculty propose the coursework that comprises a graduate microcertificate. Proposals must then be reviewed and endorsed at the local level, as shown by a letter of support from the Department Chair(s) and College Dean(s). Once approved at the local level, the person proposing the graduate microcertificate should submit the Graduate Microcertificate Proposal Form with the support letters. Proposals will be reviewed by the Graduate School and the Provost’s leadership team before consideration by the Digital Badging Steering Committee.

The Digital Badging Steering Committee will use the following criteria when reviewing graduate microcertificate proposals: 

1. The Graduate Microcertificate Name clearly shows ownership and context. (There are many skills that are shared across disciplines – leadership, research, data analysis – the name indicates the specific profession and avoids duplication.) 

2. The Graduate Microcertificate Description clearly and succinctly states what the earner learned and can do as a result of earning the microcertificate.)

3. The Graduate Microcertificate Skills & Competencies are clearly and succinctly described and industry demand is documented.

4. The Graduate Microcertificate Coursework includes only courses already approved through the APC process totaling 5-8 graduate credits. 

5. The Graduate Microcertificate Earning Criteria are clearly indicated.

6. The Graduate Microcertificate Proposal has been shared with the appropriate stakeholders.

7. The Graduate Microcertificate Completion Time is no more than two semesters.

8. The Graduate Microcertificate Student Course Registration Process is clearly described. 

Those who are not currently a UNF graduate student will apply as a non-degree seeking student and select the option to pursue a graduate microcertificate. Students will be required to provide a transcript from the institution where they earned a bachelor's degree, but they do not have to pay an application fee. Those who are currently a UNF graduate or accelerated pathway student, will automatically be awarded the graduate microcertificate when they complete the required courses.

Non-degree applicants are admitted by the graduate school. Current students enrolled in the program offering the graduate microcertificate will enroll as usual. Non-degree and undergraduate accelerated pathways students will need permission from the Graduate Program Director prior to registering for graduate microcertificate coursework. To request a registration override, students should follow the directions on the Graduate Non-Degree webpage. 

Non-degree seeking students are given lowest priority for registration, so consideration needs to be given to capacity for microcertificate students. For example, programs may want to advertise a specific number of students per cohort, reserve a set number of seats for microcertificate students, or allow for earlier registration for microcertificate students.

Students pursuing a standalone graduate microcertificate are classified as non-degree seeking students and not eligible for financial aid or waiver use. However, students are encouraged to check if their employer offers tuition reimbursement.

Successful completion of coursework in non-degree status does not guarantee admission to the University. To pursue a graduate degree, students must submit a new application and be admitted by the graduate program.

Yes, degree-seeking students who complete the required coursework are automatically awarded the graduate microcertificate. However, students cannot return for a retroactive award after graduation.

Records of completed academic coursework are stored in Banner SIS and reflected on the student transcript. Records of graduate microcertificate completion are stored in Canvas Credentials/BadgrPro and awarded by that platform as a digital badge. A digital badge for each graduate microcertificate is created upon proposal approval.

Upon completion of the graduate microcertificate, the student receives an email with a link to claim a digital badge that verifies completion of the graduate microcertificate and the associated skills and competencies. The course credits earned will be on the student’s UNF transcript. If the student completes two graduate microcertificates that stack into a certificate, after applying to the certificate program and to graduate, the certificate earned will be on the student’s UNF transcript.