Certificate Programs

• Certificate Programs: Definitions and Requirements
  • A Certificate is defined under New York State Regulations (50.1) as a credential issued by an institution in recognition of the completion of a curriculum other than one leading to a degree. Certificates are defined as a structured group of courses that focus on a specific area of knowledge. As such, they are stand-alone programs and focus on specific skills needed in the workplace for career advancement, career change, continuing education requirements, or personal education enhancement.
    • NYSED requires that Certificates be designed as stand-alone programs for qualified applicants outside of the university. A collection of courses that existing students can take to enhance their skill-based competency in a focused area of study does NOT constitute a Certificate.
  • Minimum Credit Hours:
    • NYSED does not stipulate a minimum number of credit hours for a Certificate, but RIT policy requires that Certificates consist of at least three courses and at least 9 semester credit hours. Typically, RIT Certificates consist of at least 12 semester credit hours.
    • New York State does establish minimum credit requirements for financial aid eligibility as designated below.
    • Any change in credit hours to a Certificate or Advanced Certificate requires NYSED approval before the change becomes effective. Submit a completed NYSED Change or Adapt a Registered Program Form to the Office of the  Provost for review, approval and submission to NYSED. Your submission should include a rationale for the change in credit hours and how the change affects Certificate learning outcomes and an updated Table 1a for a Certificate or Table 1b for an Advanced Certificate.
  • Course Requirements:
    • All credit-bearing courses in a Certificate program must be approved by the University and designated as applicable to one or more degree programs - either as part of the major, liberal arts and sciences, or as a free general elective. This assures NYSED that the course is part of a regular curricular review process. NYSED's New Certificate/Advanced Certificate form requires identification of the registered degree program title(s) to which the credits will apply.
  • Faculty Requirements:
    • Faculty members teaching at the Certificate, associate degree, and baccalaureate levels must hold at least a master’s degree in an appropriate field and have the background for in-depth teaching, curriculum development, and program evaluation responsibilities.
    • Certain occupational specializations may merit demonstration of competence alternative to a master’s degree. In all institutions, faculty with master’s degrees and beyond, and with substantial collective experience in college teaching and academic administration should be strongly predominant.

TAP – NYS Tuition Assistance Program APTS – NYS Aid for Part-Time Students VVTA – Vietnam Veteran’s Tuition Assistance