Auburn University offers a variety of Graduate Certificates for working professionals who want to enrich their personal knowledge, educators who aim to enhance their teaching credentials, as well as students considering the possibility of a graduate degree.
The following are some Qualification Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions about Certificate Programs
Qualifications
At a minimum, a bachelor’s degree is required for admission to a graduate certificate program. Some programs may require additional qualifications for admission. To be awarded a graduate certificate, a student must 1) have earned a bachelor’s degree; 2) be admitted to the Graduate School (as a degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking student); and 3) be enrolled as a graduate student for a minimum of one semester.
How to Apply for Admission to a Graduate Certificate Program
Non-degree seeking students (including students who entered Auburn University through the Auburn Global pathway)
- Submit an application for admission as a non-degree seeking graduate student to a Graduate Certificate program
- Submit a transcript (showing the award of the highest degree earned) to the Graduate School
- Pay the application fee
- Note: Non-degree seeking students enrolled only in a graduate certificate program are not eligible for financial aid.
Degree seeking students
- Contact the Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate Program for program requirements.
When You Have Completed the Requirements for a Graduate Certificate
- Submit your graduation application the term you take your final certificate course
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does a Graduate Certificate differ from a professional development certificate?
A: A professional development certificate does not require admission to the Graduate School and is awarded based on participation in non-credit work. Professional development certificates are not subject to the Auburn University curriculum process, nor is their achievement noted on Auburn University transcripts.
Q: Is the Graduate Certificate noted on a student’s transcript?
A: Yes
Q: How many hours are included in a Graduate Certificate?
A: Graduate certificate programs consist of a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 21 hours of graduate-level course work.
Q: Is course work for the Graduate Certificate grade or non-graded?
A: The course work may be graded or non-graded.
Q: What is the minimum GPA required for continuation in the certificate program?
A: A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained in all graded course work in the certificate program.
Q: May hours taken in a certificate program be counted towards a graduate degree?
A: Students should be aware that no more than 12 hours of credit earned while enrolled as a non-degree student may later be counted towards a graduate degree; however, students officially enrolled in an approved graduate certificate program may count up to the maximum number of credit hours allowed by the certificate program toward a graduate degree.
Non-degree students who later decide to pursue a graduate degree must re-apply for admission to the Graduate School and the graduate degree program. Non-degree students must be re-activated each term.
For additional information, contact: Maria Witte, Associate Dean, wittemm@auburn.edu
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