Graduate Certificate Program FAQs

Auburn University offers a variety of Graduate Certificates for working professionals who want to enrich their personal knowledge, educators who aim to enhance their teaching credentials, as well as students considering the possibility of a graduate degree.

The following are some Qualification Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions about Certificate Programs

Qualifications

At a minimum, a bachelor’s degree is required for admission to a graduate certificate program.  Some programs may require additional qualifications for admission.  To be awarded a graduate certificate, a student must 1) have earned a bachelor’s degree; 2) be admitted to the Graduate School (as a degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking student); and 3) be enrolled as a graduate student for a minimum of one semester.

How to Apply for Admission to a Graduate Certificate Program

Non-degree seeking students (including students who entered Auburn University through the Auburn Global pathway)

  • Submit an application for admission as a non-degree seeking graduate student to a Graduate Certificate program
  • Submit a transcript (showing the award of the highest degree earned) to the Graduate School
  • Pay the application fee
  • Note: Non-degree seeking students enrolled only in a graduate certificate program are not eligible for financial aid.

Degree seeking students

  • Contact the Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate Program for program requirements.

When You Have Completed the Requirements for a Graduate Certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  How does a Graduate Certificate differ from a professional development certificate?

A:  A professional development certificate does not require admission to the Graduate School and is awarded based on participation in non-credit work.  Professional development certificates are not subject to the Auburn University curriculum process, nor is their achievement noted on Auburn University transcripts.

Q:  Is the Graduate Certificate noted on a student’s transcript? 

A:  Yes

Q:  How many hours are included in a Graduate Certificate?

A:  Graduate certificate programs consist of a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 21 hours of graduate-level course work.

Q:  Is course work for the Graduate Certificate grade or non-graded?

A: The course work may be graded or non-graded.

Q:  What is the minimum GPA required for continuation in the certificate program?

A:  A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained in all graded course work in the certificate program.

Q:  May hours taken in a certificate program be counted towards a graduate degree?

A:  Students should be aware that no more than 12 hours of credit earned while enrolled as a non-degree student may later be counted towards a graduate degree; however, students officially enrolled in an approved graduate certificate program may count up to the maximum number of credit hours allowed by the certificate program toward a graduate degree.

Non-degree students who later decide to pursue a graduate degree must re-apply for admission to the Graduate School and the graduate degree program. Non-degree students must be re-activated each term. 

For additional information, contact:  Maria Witte, Associate Dean, wittemm@auburn.edu

Last modified: Feb 29, 2024 @ 7:10 pm