Certificate Programs
Developed in cooperation with a variety of colleges and departments at UMD, these programs offer a range of educational options for part-time and continuing students.
General Information
If you are uncertain you can devote the time necessary to earn a college
degree, or if you want to pursue specialized training to supplement your
baccalaureate degree, you may wish to consider a University of Minnesota
Duluth Continuing Education (CE) certificate program. Certificate programs
were developed in cooperation with a variety of colleges and departments
at UMD, and they offer a range of educational options for part-time and
continuing students. Certificate programs require the equivalent of one-half
to one year of full-time study, although many students complete them on
a part-time basis over a longer period of time.
CE certificates are regarded by many employers as valuable preparation for employment and promotion. With careful planning, a certificate can be a stepping-stone toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree. We encourage you to consult with employers regarding the usefulness of a certificate in seeking new employment or possible promotional opportunities.
You can complete a certificate through a variety of options, including day, evening, Individualized Instruction (INI), independent study, and summer term courses. Course options vary depending on the certificate program.
Certificate Program Admission
You are strongly encouraged to apply for admission to a certificate program
before registering for your first course for the certificate. You may register
for required certificate courses prior to official admission to a certificate
program. However, registration in courses required for a certificate does
not guarantee admission to the certificate program.
You may be able to transfer credits from other accredited institutions of higher education, but a minimum of twenty-five percent of the credits required for a certificate program must be taken at UMD with a 2.00 GPA for undergraduate certificates, or a 3.00 GPA for post-baccalaureate and graduate certificates.
You will not be considered for admission to a certificate program for which you have already completed a similar, more advanced degree, unless you can explain how the certificate can further your academic or career goals. You cannot be admitted to more than two certificate programs at one time.
Certificate requirements are subject to modification. You are bound to the requirements in force at the time you are officially admitted to a certificate program. If a certificate program is discontinued, CE makes every reasonable effort to assist you in completing the program.
A CE counselor in CE Student Support Services can discuss your academic plans and eligibility for admission to a certificate program, assist you in the certificate admission process, help you plan course work leading to certificate completion, or discuss course transfers that might affect your registration.. To set up an appointment with a counselor, please call Hilary Ramsey at 218/726-8101.
Instructions for Certificate Admission:
1. Print a copy of the appropriate admission application form ( Undergraduate Certificate Admission Application or Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Admission Application ) or request a form by contacting Hilary Ramsey at CE Student Support Services, 104 Darland Administration Bldg., 218-726-8101. Please specify whether the certificate you plan to pursue is at the undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, graduate, or noncredit level.
2. Return the completed application to: CE Counselor, UMD Continuing Education, 104 Darland Administration Bldg., 1049 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812-3011 with a non-refundable admission application fee of $25 (check or money order) made payable to the University of Minnesota Duluth.
3. Request an official college transcript from each college you have attended. University of Minnesota transcripts may be unofficial copies. Official transcripts from other schools may be attached or sent directly to: CE Counselor, UMD Continuing Education, 104 Darland Administration Bldg., 1049 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812-3011. Indicate on the application if you have previously been admitted to a degree or certificate program at UMD and transcripts are already on file.
4. For applicants to the General Business Administration, Human Services,
and Liberal Arts Certificates only, request an official high school transcript
or GED scores. Attach or send this directly to: CE Counselor, UMD Continuing
Education, 104 Darland Administration Bldg., 1049 University Drive, Duluth,
MN 55812-3011.
5. A separate admission application must be submitted for each certificate
program you are applying to. Only one admission fee is required to apply
for one or two certificate programs.
6. To be considered for certificate admission for a particular semester, completed applications must be received in 104 Darland Administration Building no later than two weeks before the first day of the semester. Certificate admission applications received after that date will be considered for the following semester.
7. If you expect to receive financial aid, you must be admitted to a certificate or degree program at UMD prior to enrollment. Contact a representative in the Student Assistance Center, 23 Solon Campus Center, 218-726-8000, for more information regarding financial aid. Note: The Liberal Arts and Noncredit Educational Computing and Technology Certificates do not qualify for financial aid.
8. You will receive a letter notifying you of your admission status after your complete application is received and evaluated.
9. Contact Suzan Gonia ( 218-726-8249 or sgonia1@d.umn.edu) if you have any questions regarding certificate admission.
A COMPLETE CERTIFICATE ADMISSION APPLICATION INCLUDES:A. CE Certificate Admission Application form.
B. Admission application fee of $25.
C. An official college transcript from each college you have attended (University of Minnesota transcripts may be unofficial copies).
D. An official high school transcript or General Equivalency Diploma/GED scores (if required).
Academic Progress
Students admitted to CE certificate programs are held to the academic standards
of the University of Minnesota Duluth and may have their academic progress
monitored. Students with a low grade point average (GPA below 2.00 for undergraduate
certificates or below 3.00 for post-baccalaureate and graduate certificates)
or a low course completion ratio (below 67%) may not be considered in "good
academic standing." This accumulation of substandard course work could
jeopardize eligibility for financial aid, veterans' benefits, or other funding
programs that require satisfactory academic progress. Insufficient academic
progress may also mean failure to meet admission criteria for undergraduate
or graduate degree programs or majors both within and outside of UMD. Students
are encouraged to contact a CE counselor for assistance if they are having academic difficulty. Contact Hilary Ramsey (218-726-8101) to make an appointment with a CE counselor.
Certificate Program Completion
Undergraduate certificates are awarded upon completion of the certificate
program requirements with at least a 2.00 overall grade point average (GPA),
including a 2.00 in University of Minnesota courses.
Post-baccalaureate and graduate certificates are awarded upon completion of the certificate program requirements with at least a 3.00 overall GPA, including a 3.00 in University of Minnesota courses.
When your certificate is awarded, your certificate completion is posted on your University of Minnesota transcript, and you receive a University of Minnesota diploma documenting your completion of the program.
Instructions for Certificate Completion
1. When you begin your last semester of classes, print a copy of the Certificate Completion Application or request a form by contacting Hilary Ramsey at CE Student Support Services, 104 Darland Administration Building, 218-726-8101.
2. Return the completed application to: CE Counselor, UMD Continuing Education, 104 Darland Administration Bldg., 1049 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812-3011 with a non-refundable $25 completion fee (check or money order) made payable to UMD.
3. To be considered for certificate completion for a particular semester, complete applications must be received in CE Student Support Services, 104 Darland, no later than the last day of the semester. Forms received after that date will be considered for the following semester.
4. A separate Certificate Completion Application form and completion fee must be submitted for each certificate.
5. You will receive a letter notifying you of your completion status after your complete application is received and evaluated. A notation of your certificate completion will be placed on your University of Minnesota transcript approximately one month after the end of your term of completion. A certificate diploma will be mailed to you approximately three months after the end of your completion term.
6. Contact Suzan Gonia ( 218-726-8249 or sgonia1@d.umn.edu) if you have any questions regarding your certificate completion.
A COMPLETE CERTIFICATE COMPLETION APPLICATION INCLUDES:
A. Completed application form
B. $25 completion fee
Certificate Honors
All CE certificate programs may be earned with honors. Students officially
admitted to a certificate program who earn a 3.60 to 3.79 GPA in University
of Minnesota credits within the certificate will be awarded a certificate
"with distinction," and 3.80-4.00 GPA. “with high distinction.”
At least 60 percent of the requirements for a certificate with honors must
be earned at the University of Minnesota and must be taken on the A-F grading
system.
Colleges at UMD retain the right to determine honors requirements for their degrees. Therefore, earning a CE certificate with honors does not ensure entry into a college honors program.
For more information about certificate programs
contact
Suzan Gonia
218-726-8249 or sgonia1@d.umn.edu