Office of the Provost

Graduate Certificate Proposals

This guidance describes the steps required to launch a Graduate Certificate proposal originating from Purdue West Lafayette for University approvals. Please see Purdue Fort Wayne or Purdue Northwest guidance for proposals originating from these campuses, or reach out to campus contacts.

There are two types of graduate certificates proposals: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate proposal (most common) and Post-Master's Certificate proposal. The key difference between these certificates is the level of prior education completed in advance of admission. Post-Master's Certificates require students to have earned a master’s degree, while Post-Baccalaureate Certificates permit application after completion of a bachelor's degree.

Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis once they enter the workflow. Time to complete indicates the typical completion timeframe from proposal launch to completion in workflow. Some proposals may complete faster, while others may need more time based on when they are launched. Please see Key Planning Considerations below.

New Graduate Certificate

Time to Complete: 90-120 days (15-30 days of this are estimated to complete external review and approval steps)

New certificates require a full review by the Graduate Council and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Preview requirements in Modern Campus Curriculum or use this printable checklist.

  • Complete home college steps and have approval to advance your proposal by your Department Head.
  • If the certificate will be offered at Indianapolis, please see Purdue University in Indianapolis steps to ensure timely review.
  • Complete the New Certificate proposal in  Modern Campus Curriculum, which will require the following:
    • Select CIP based on curriculum and outcomes.
    • Determine if the approval will require separate financial aid approval as a stand-alone certificate (Gainful Employment eligibility).

Key Planning Considerations

  • The Graduate Council generally meets seven times per year (September – November and January – April). The proposal must arrive at the Graduate Council step in workflow at least two weeks before the scheduled Council meeting to be considered for the agenda.
  • The Academic Affairs & Quality Committee of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education meets monthly, except in December.
  • Following state approvals, certificate programs are screened by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to determine if any additional approvals may be required (uncommon).

Tips

  • Proposals should consider if the certificates are stand-alone (i.e., students may apply separately to certificates, not required to be degree-seeking). Stand-alone certificates may be eligible for financial aid, only if they meet Department of Education requirements around minimum credits and time to complete.
  • Certificate programs do not qualify an international student for Optional Practical Training or any other post- completion benefit. Only degree granting programs qualify a student for benefits.
Existing Graduate Certificate

Time to Complete: 45 days (15-30 days of this are estimated to complete external review and approval steps)

Actions to existing graduate certificates include revisions, suspension, or expiration. Guidance for suspend/expire (PDF) or adding online to an existing program are available. The Graduate School conducts the review.

  • Complete all college steps and have approval to advance your proposal by your Department Head
  • If the certificate will be offered at Indianapolis, please see Purdue University in Indianapolis steps to ensure timely review.
  • Select a standard occupation code (SOC) that best aligns with the certificate outcomes - required for financial aid eligibility consideration  
  • Complete the Change Existing Curricula proposal in Modern Campus Curriculum
  • The following require external approval by ICHE and/or HLC to the host program:
    • Changes to modality (e.g. add online)
    • Changes in location
    • Change the CIP
    • Change in credit hours
    • Name change
    • Curricular or credit changes of 50% or more to the existing program
    • Suspension
    • Expiration

Key Planning Considerations

  • The Academic Affairs & Quality Committee of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education meets monthly, except in December.
  • Following state approvals, changes to existing programs may be screened by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to determine if any additional approvals are required (uncommon).

Tips

  • Suspension is designed to “turn off the valve” for admissions so that a college can begin the teach out process. Suspended programs may be reinstated.
  • Expiration should be used only once all students eligible for teach out have completed the program. Expired programs cannot be reinstated.

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