Certificate Programs: For-Credit

Overview

The University offers two categories of for-credit certificates:

Category 1: the post-baccalaureate certificate is a stand-alone certificate that normally requires completion of an undergraduate degree, or equivalent, for admission.

Category 2: the certificate is offered in conjunction with an undergraduate degree program requiring students to be enrolled in a specific University of Toronto undergraduate degree program.

Both are described in the Policy on Certificates (For-Credit and Not-For-Credit).

The certificate categories share the following characteristics:

• a coherent sequence of for-credit undergraduate courses
• a mechanism for assessing student performance
• successful completion of the certificate is recorded on the academic transcript either as a stand-alone certificate (category 1) or as part of the undergraduate program (category 2)
• participants are registered as University of Toronto undergraduate students

Further details and examples of each category of certificate are available in the Policy.

Creating a For-Credit Certificate

The development and approval process of a for-credit certificate depends on its category.

Certificates offered in conjunction with an undergraduate degree program follow the protocols for approval and closure for minor modifications under the University of Toronto Quality Assurance Process (UTQAP). Please consult your Dean’s Office when developing a proposal for a new certificate in conjunction with an undergraduate program ( 2).

Please contact your Dean’s Office or Jennifer Francisco or Annette Knott, Coordinator Academic Change in the VPAP Office, if you have questions involving the creation of a for-credit certificate.

Modifying a For-Credit Certificate

For-credit certificates may need to be modified periodically. Please start with your Dean’s Office to discuss modifications. The VPAP Office supports Dean’s Offices on these changes.

Starting a Cyclical Review of a For-Credit Certificate

Like other programs, for-credit certificates are subject to cyclical review at least every eight years. The schedule of post-baccalaureate certificate reviews is determined by the VPAP Office in consultation with the lead Dean’s Office. Certificates offered in conjunction with an undergraduate degree program are reviewed with the relevant undergraduate program under the UTQAP.

Reporting a For-Credit Certificate

The VPAP Office works with Dean’s Offices to compile an annual list of for-credit certificates. This list is included in an annual report by the Provost to the Committee on Academic Policy & Programs.

Closing a For-Credit Certificate

Proposals to close a for-credit post-baccalaureate certificate follow the major modification UTQAP protocol. Proposals to close a certificate offered in conjunction with an undergraduate degree program follow the minor modification process. The template is the same for both. Please contact your Dean’s Office or Jennifer Francisco or Annette Knott for more information.

Resources

Policy on Certificates (For-Credit and Not-For-Credit)
Template: proposal for a new post-baccalaureate certificate (category 1) (Word)
Template: proposal for a new certificate in conjunction with an undergraduate program (category 2) (Word)
Template: proposal to close a certificate (category 1 and 2) (Word)

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