DRAFT #2a
UNIVERSITY SENATE
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Introduced by:
Graduate Academic Council
Date:
PROPOSAL TO AMEND POLICY PERTAINING TO
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
IT IS HEREBY PROPOSED THAT THE FOLLOWING BE ADOPTED:
1.
That the University Senate approves the attached proposed amendment to campus
policy pertaining to graduate level certificate programs.
2.
That this proposal be forwarded to the President for approval.
******************************
Rationale
The University has offered graduate certificate programs since at least the 1960s. The
campus-wide regulations pertaining to these programs have not been examined or
significantly updated for many years. During the past three decades the University has
established varying types of graduate certificate programs, yet neglected to
comprehensively update or codify corresponding policies pertaining to them. The
proposed policy update attached is presented to attend to these informational and
regulatory needs.
Existing graduate policy to be replaced:
http://www.albany.edu/graduatebulletin/requirements_certificates_advanced_study.htm
Regulations and Requirements Governing the Certificates of Advanced
Study
Certificate of Advanced Study Award
A Certificate of Advanced Study attesting to advanced preparation and competence may
be earned for the completion of organized programs which normally extend at least one
year beyond the master's degree.
Many of these programs operate in conjunction with doctoral programs, and essentially
the same academic and admission standards apply.
Credit Requirement
Each program leading to a certificate of advanced study includes a minimum of 48 (60
for those in education) credits of appropriate graduate study. Refer to descriptions of
individual programs for required courses and distributions.
Residence Study and Advanced Standing
Of the minimum number of credits of graduate study beyond the baccalaureate
established for a certificate in a particular field, at least one-half must be completed in
resident graduate study at this University.
An applicant for admission to a program leading to a 60-credit certificate who holds a
master's degree with an appropriate specialization may apply for admission with
advanced standing not to exceed 30 credits.
Comprehensive Examination
Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination in education and in the field of
specialization is required in each program in education. Satisfactory completion of a
comprehensive examination in school psychology is required in that program.
Statutes of Limitations
This statute applies equally to students who enter with or without advanced standing and
to students who formally change their areas of specialization after admission and study
in one advanced program.
Proposed amended policy text:
Regulations and Requirements Governing Graduate Certificate Programs
Certificates programs offered
The University offers various graduate certificate programs. All of the programs are
registered with the New York State Education Department as “Advanced Certificate”
programs. The programs are offered and delivered by the University at Albany as the
Certificate of Graduate Study, Advanced Graduate Certificate, or Certificate of Advanced
Study. As required by NYS regulation, all graduate course work applicable to any of
these graduate certificate programs must be applicable to one or more graduate degree
programs offered by the University. *** add 3rd is above the Masters level.
Credit Requirement
Credit requirements for graduate certificate programs vary greatly and are established in
program design at the time of establishment and registration. Generally, the Certificate
of Graduate Study requires in the range of 9 – 24 graduate credits; the Advance Graduate
Certificate requires in the range of 15 – 35 graduate credits; and the Certificate of
Advanced Study requires 48 – 60 graduate credits.
Residence Study Requirements
Residence study referenced in this section is defined as course work offered by the
University at Albany and its faculty, not necessarily on one of its physical campuses.
Of the minimum number of credits of graduate study beyond the baccalaureate
established for award of a graduate certificate, the following residence study
requirements must be met:
For graduate certificate programs requiring 48 or more graduate credits, at least
50% of the total credits must be completed through University at Albany study.
For graduate certificate programs requiring 27 – 47 graduate credits, at least 24 of
the credits must be completed through University at Albany study.
For graduate certificate programs requiring 26 or fewer graduate credits, all but a
maximum of 3 credits must be completed through University at Albany study.
Individual graduate certificate programs may require greater levels of in-residence study
than the minimums defined above.
Program Regulations
Individual graduate certificate programs may include various additional requirements
beyond those stated here. The official curriculum as detailed in the University’s
Graduate Bulletin should always be examined to determine if additional requirements
exist within the graduate certificate program.
Statute of Limitations and Advanced Standing
All requirements for the certificate must be completed within six calendar years from the
date of initial registration in the program. Prior course work completed and presented by
the student for advanced standing in the program at the point of admission shall be
subject to review and approval for inclusion by action of the program faculty.
University at Albany Registered Graduate Certificate Programs
as of February 2011 (HEGIS codes in parentheses):
Certificates of Graduate Study
Advanced Public Management (2102)
Autism (2099)
Demography (2215)
Economic Forecasting (2204)
English as a Foreign Language (1508)
Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis (2206)
Health Disparities (1214)
Latin American, Caribbean and U.S. Latino Studies (0308)
Non-Profit Management and Leadership (2102)
Public Health Fundamentals and Principles (1214)
Public Health Surveillance and Preparedness (1214)
Public Sector Management (2102)
Regulatory Economics (2204)
Teacher Leadership (0899)
Urban Policy (2214)
Women and Public Policy (2299)
Advanced Graduate Certificates
Professional Science Management (0506)
School Building Leadership (0828)
School District Leadership (0827)
School District Business Leadership (0827)
Certificates of Advanced Study
Court Systems Management (2102) (Inactive)
Curriculum and Instruction (0829)
Educational Administration (0827)
Educational Research (0824)
Library and Information Science (1601)
Planning and Policy Analysis (2102)
Public History (2205)
Reading (0830)
Russian Translation (1106) (Admissions Suspended)
School Counseling (0826) (Admissions Suspended)
School Psychology (0822)
