Certificates are interdisciplinary programs offering students a way to engage in focused study of an interdisciplinary topic that may complement their other degree work or provide specialized training unavailable from other programs. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences may earn certificates offered by the College and by other colleges in the University. Links to descriptions of existing certificate programs are maintained on the College's "Departments and Academic Programs" page.

New Certificate Programs

Certificates are developed and maintained by faculty members from at least three departments. Certificates can be developed for either undergraduate or graduate students. In some cases, it may be appropriate to also propose an interdisciplinary minor at the same time as the certificate. [Note: see the Graduate Manual for procedures for new graduate programs, including certificates and minors] Because of the steps involved, it may take a year or more for a proposal to go from first draft to implementation.

1. Certificates must be proposed by a faculty group, representing at least three different "home" departments. As a first step, one or more members of the group should meet with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Curriculum, or his/her assistant, to discuss the group's initial ideas and the procedures for obtaining certificate status. If "incubation" in the Division of Interdisciplinary Programs seems appropriate for the proposed certificate, the Associate Dean may suggest that the group also meet with the Director of the College's Division of Interdisciplinary Programs. Links to the web sites of the College's current existing certificate programs are maintained on the College's "Departments and Academic Programs" page.

2. The draft proposal should include the following:

1. a description of the interdisciplinary focus, including the goals of the certificate. No certificate can be approved which duplicates an existing interdisciplinary major, minor, or certificate.
2. a curriculum of between 18 and 36 s.h. of course work. Courses required for the certificate must be available at least once every two years; other courses listed as part of the certificate curriculum should also be available on a regular schedule.
3. a list of faculty members who wish to affiliate with the certificate program, that is, those who will teach courses listed in the curriculum and who will be available for service (including student advising) to the program.
4. a detailed discussion of resources, both those already available and those that will be requested for the new program.
5. a five-year enrollment projection (with some explanation for the basis of the estimate) and suggestions for other measures of success.

3. The initial proposal will be reviewed by the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Curriculum. If the Associate Dean agrees the proposal is ready for further consideration, the faculty committee will approach DEOs of participating departments seeking letters of support.

4. The proposal and the supporting letters will then be discussed by the Educational Policy Committee. If significant resources will be requested, the Executive Committee will also be consulted. Usually, a representative of the proposing group will attend these meetings. If these two elected College bodies approve the proposal, it will be taken to the Faculty Assembly for further discussion.

5. When a proposal is approved by the Faculty Assembly, the Dean forwards the proposal to the Provost. A new program may be implemented only after approval by the Provost.

6. A new certificate program will receive approval for five years. In the fifth year of the program, the College will review it for renewal, reconfiguration, or sunset, and will recommend to the Provost any changes deemed necessary in the status of the program.