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Format Guidelines: Proposal to Establish an Option 1 Graduate Academic University of California Certificate Program
I. Description of Graduate Academic University of California Certificate Program—“Certificate of Completion of Graduate Curriculum” (Option 1-Senate Regulation (SR) 735)
- Certificate program name: Certificate of a Graduate Curriculum in (field)
- Provide a description of the certificate’s purpose and distinctive features, including target audience. Is it related to an existing academic program? How does this certificate differ from others offered by the Berkeley campus? What is the student demand for this program? What are the employment prospects upon completion?
- Calendar: when is program offered and what is its duration (it must be a minimum of two semesters in full-time resident study)?
- How many students are expected to participate in this program initially? How many students do you expect to be enrolled per year after the program is established?
- Certificate curriculum: list all certificate requirements, taking into account the following.
- The student’s studies are not covered by a diploma or other certificate (i.e., units for completion of this certificate may not be applied for fulfillment of any other degree or certificate requirement).
- The certificate’s program of study must consist of a minimum of two semesters of upper level (100) and graduate-level (200) courses under regularly appointed faculty.
- Description of the required course that synthesizes aspects of the program’s subject matter.
- Has this certificate program been reviewed by a professional accrediting body? Which one? When? Any conditions?
- Include documentation demonstrating review and approval of the certificate proposal following the normal review process of the administering instruction unit(s), by administrative heads of all instructional units participating in the certificate program, and by professional accrediting body [if any].
II. Admission Criteria for the Program
- SR 735 criteria
1. The student has completed a minimum of two semesters in full-time resident study at the University of California with a grade-point average of at least 3.0.
2. The applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, or a higher degree.
3. The student is acceptable for admission to the Graduate Division. - Additional program criteria (higher than 3.0 GPA, writing sample, etc.)?
III. Program Resources
- Faculty:
1. Who teaches in the certificate program?
2. For all Berkeley faculty teaching in the program, is this assignment part of his/her regular workload for the academic year?
3. How are Berkeley faculty who teach in the program compensated? Release time? 19900 funds? Other? Is compensation in addition to regular annual salary? If participating faculty are paid from self-supporting funds, how will the campus be reimbursed? - Space: where will classes for this program be held?
- Administrative Staff
1. What is the percentage of FTE provided by the unit (or if by more than one unit, how allocated)? - Are additional resources needed for this certificate program?
IV. Certificate Award and Student Transcript
- A statement that the administering unit (specify if multiple units are proposing the program) will forward the names of individuals who have successfully completed all certificate requirements to the Graduate Division for its review and placement on the degree list for certificate conferral.
- A statement that the certificate document awarded will conform to the format specified in SR 735 and will be processed by the Office of the Registrar.
- A statement that conferral of the certificate will be posted to the student’s transcript by the Office of the Registrar.
Last Updated: June 10, 2010 2:13 PM

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