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.

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.   
  • Only graduate credits earned at NDSU may be applied to a certificate program.
  • Courses used to satisfy the Graduate Certificate program requirements cannot be older than seven (7) years at the time the certificate completion is verified.  
  • Credits earned toward completion of a certificate also may be used toward the completion of a graduate degree, if allowed by the degree program.
  • Courses used for a previously earned NDSU degree cannot later be used towards completion of a graduate certificate.
  • 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. 
Course Substitutions

Course deletions or substitutions may be made with the Waive/Substitute Course eform. This is an advisor initiated form. Students do not have access to this form.