A certificate is a credential that requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary, post-baccalaureate, or post-master’s levels. Certificates are generally organized to provide professional development by equipping students with specific knowledge, skills, and proficiencies. Certificates are not the same as minors since minors are academic in focus and certificates are for applied, professional purposes. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required for a graduate certificate.
Postsecondary Certificates require a minimum of 15 semester hours with a maximum of 3 semester hours accepted in transfer. Generally, Duquesne offers postsecondary certificates only to degree-seeking undergraduate students.
Post-baccalaureate and post-master’s certificates require a minimum of 15 semester hours. A maximum of 6 semester hours may be accepted in transfer from an accredited college or university, or a maximum of 9 semester hours may be applied to a post-baccalaureate or post-master’s certificateif previously earned at Duquesne. In either case, students must earn a minimum of 6 semester hours toward the certificate while enrolled as a certificate-seeking student. Those pursuing such certificates must hold an appropriate baccalaureate and/or master’s degree as specified by the program.
A student who has earned a 15 semester-hour post-baccalaureate or post-master’s certificate at Duquesne may apply those to the master’s degree in that field. Certificates are not awarded retroactively to students who have completed a higher credential level.
Some certificate programs may be completed while students are pursuing a degree, and degree-seeking students may be eligible for federal financial aid. At Duquesne University, a certificate program pursued as a stand-alone credential does not qualify for federal financial aid since students are not degree-seeking. Certificate-seeking students may apply for other forms of financial aid that may be available to them. This policy assumes that certificates are billed at the regular tuition rate.