Graduate Certificate Policies

Graduate certificate programs at NDSU provide focused course experiences in a set curriculum that build a distinct skill set. Certificates may be completed independently or as part of a master's degree program. Only graduate credits earned at NDSU may be applied to a certificate program. 

Students in a certificate program, (who are not also in a degree-seeking program) are not eligible to receive federal Title IV student financial assistance, graduate assistantships or tuition waivers.

Certificate Completion

  • Certificate students must meet the same academic standing requirements as degree seeking students.  

  • Course substitutions may be made with the Change to Plan of Study. The student, advisor, graduate program coordinator, and the Graduate College must approve changes. 

  • Courses used to satisfy the Graduate Certificate program requirements cannot be older than seven (7) years at the time the certificate completion is verified.  

  • Candidates must submit a Graduation Application by the last day of the term in which certificate requirements are completed. The certificate will not post to the student’s record if the graduation application is not submitted.  

  • Credits earned toward completion of a certificate also may be used toward the completion of a graduate degree, if allowed by the degree program. 

Course Substitutions

Course substitutions may be made with the Change to Plan of Study.  The student, advisor, graduate program coordinator, and the Graduate College must approve changes.