Graduate certificate

A graduate certificate is an educational credential representing completion of specialized training at the college or university level.

Europe

A graduate certificate (GradCert, GCert, GradC) is a higher education qualification at the same level as a master's degree but more limited in scope, taking less time to complete - this might be a year, or as little as one term or semester.

The graduate certificate is positioned at Level 6 of The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and at Level 9 of The framework for qualifications of higher education institutions in Scotland. In reference to the European Qualifications Framework, it is a 'first-cycle' qualification at the same level of knowledge and challenge as a first or Bachelor's degree but not involving the same depth and breadth of study. Successful students will typically demonstrate some, but not all, of the kinds of skills, knowledge and capabilities that would be expected for a Bachelor's candidate. Hence this certificate is not considered to be an 'end-of-cycle' qualification (it demonstrates only some of the 'first-cycle' learning outcomes).

Graduate certificates are available in a limited range of subjects that are typically work-related, for example psychology, management, counselling or law. See also graduate diploma.

No previous higher education qualifications are normally required for a course leading to a graduate certificate. This qualification should not be confused with postgraduate certificates or postgraduate diplomas, which are usually taken by students who already have a first degree or equivalent.

Canada

In Canada, a graduate certificate is a university credential usually offered to students who have completed an average of 15 credits of graduate course work. Admission requirements vary tremendously among Canadian universities, but in general both graduate students, as well as undergraduate students having completed a Bachelor's degree, can apply to such a program. In some cases, the graduate certificate can represent part of the work required for obtaining a Master's degree.

United States

In the United States, a graduate certificate can be awarded by universities upon completion of certain coursework indicating mastering of a specific subject area. Graduate certificates represent training at the Master's degree level, typically covering between 12 to 18 credit hours worth of coursework. Typically an accredited Bachelor's degree is required to enter into a Graduate Certificate program.

See also

• Graduate diploma