About certificates
Certificates are academic programs that allow students to explore topics and build skills within a smaller number of credit hours (15-30 for undergraduate, and 9-15 for graduate).Certificates are a focused area of academic study with a coherent body of knowledge and certificate-level learning outcomes.
In most cases, a student will complete a certificate alongside their degree requirements (as a “degree-seeking student”), although some certificates do not require concurrent registration in a degree program—in other words, they may be completed by a “non-degree-seeking” student. In both instances, the certificate will appear on the academic record as a notation,and students are issued a separate document for recognition.
ϳԹrecently updated its certificate requirements. All new programs using the terminology certificate must align with the credit thresholds and parameters laid out on this website, which correspond to the.
Existing certificates have until 2029 to update their programs to ensure alignment with the updated requirements.
Types of certificates
There are two types of certificates - concurrent and standalone.
Concurrent certificates
Concurrent certificates are designed to be pursued simultaneously with another degree program, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Students enrolled in a concurrent certificate work towards earning both the certificate and their primary degree concurrently. Courses can count towards fulfilling requirements of both a certificate and the degree (“double counting”).
Purpose and pedagogy
Concurrent certificates at ϳԹmay be designed to:
- Recognize specialized knowledge within a field or major discipline as part of a degree program (i.e., curriculum is integrated). There may be some, but not total, overlap between the requirements for the certificate program and the degree program.
- Examples include:Certificate in Animal Behaviour (within Psychology and Neuroscience). Certificate in Oncology Nursing (within Bachelor of Science in Nursing).
- Complement or provide inter-disciplinarity to various degrees/programs. May be taken alongside a student’s primary program.
- Examples include:
A concurrent certificate’s primary restriction is that a student must be degree-seeking to declare it. Registration for a concurrent certificate may be restricted to students in one or more specific programs or may be open to students in any program in which students are able to declare a certificate depending upon the intent of the certificate. Non-degree students are not eligible to register for concurrent certificates (unless the certificate has been approved as both concurrent and standalone). Post-degree completion and awarding of concurrent certificates may be possible on an exceptional basis.
To declare a certificate, students submit the Declare Major/Minor/Certificate form in Dal Online under Admissions
To receive the concurrent certificate, students must submit a separate Application to Graduate via Dal Online. Certificates will be recorded on the student’s academic transcript after completion of the requirements (confirmed in June and October). Concurrent certificates are awarded at the same time as the degree program (may not be awarded prior to degree completion unless approved as Standalone, as per the below) and will be included along with the parchment during convocation ceremonies.
Students are not permitted to continue in a concurrent certificate program if they have been awarded their degree program without explicit permission as outlined under possible waivers/exceptions
Post-degree completion and awarding of concurrent certificates may be possible on an exceptional basis. The student:
- Must have declared the certificate while enrolled in the degree (not after).
- Must have completed most of the certificate requirements (i.e., there will typically only be 1-2 courses remaining) while enrolled in their degree.
- Must maintain continuous enrollment (subject to regular course timetabling limitations) while they finish the remaining certificate requirements.
- Can only have this waiver/exception applied to a single certificate.
To request this exception, students must complete a waiver of an academic regulation through Dal Online. They would then require approval from both the Assistant Dean/Delegate of the student’s faculty and the Registrar’s Office. Completion of the certificate would be noted on the transcript similar to other concurrent certificates.
Advising notes for waivers and exceptions to eligibility requirements for concurrent certificates
- Students should be advised that they may postpone applying to convocate with their degree program in order to complete additional requirements for a certificate (no waiver necessary).
- Students must be notified that they are not eligible for student loans while taking those few remaining courses for post-graduation completion of a concurrent certificate.
- International students would require specific guidance from the international center around any impact registration as a non-degree student post-convocation might have on their study permit requirements or PGWP eligibility.
Standalone certificates
Standalone certificates are independent credentials that are awarded separately from a degree program.
Purpose and pedagogy
Standalone certificates typically fall into three categories:
Standalone
It provides a way for students to explore topics that interest them and build skills without committing to a degree program. Courses would typically not have significant pre-requisites and be accessible to a non-degree student without previous disciplinary knowledge unless otherwise noted. This is the most typical use of standalone certificates.
Examples include: Certificates in Health Administration (various)
Post-baccalaureate Standalone
Provides an advanced set of skills in a specific area to students who already have an undergraduate degree. May be restricted to students with a particular undergraduate degree and/or prerequisites and is designed to enhance skills or qualifications.
Examples include: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Food Bioscience.
Early exit standalone
Used primarily in graduate programs at present. Defining characteristic is that it is awarded to degree-seeking students prior to the completion of the primary degree. May be part of a laddered program structure (e.g., certificate to diploma to degree) or may be designed to recognize specialized knowledge within a degree. It may be awarded as a milestone for continuing students (i.e., formal recognition of completion of a set of courses/knowledge acquired) or as an early exit for students not continuing in the degree following completion of a defined portion of work.
At a minimum, applicants for standalone certificates must meet the admission requirements as a non-degree/special student. There may be additional admission requirements or restrictions for particular standalone certificates. Unless specifically restricted (i.e., post-baccalaureate), concurrent students may declare a standalone certificate to take alongside their degree.
Students who wish to enroll as a non-degree seeking student in a standalone certificate are required to apply for admission to ϳԹvia the Registrar’s Office. Upon admission, certificate applicants will be set up in Banner as a non-degree/special student.
Degree-seeking students may declare standalone certificates via the Declare Major/Minor/Certificate form in Dal Online under Admissions.
To receive the certificate, students must submit an Application to Graduate via Dal Online.
Certificates will be recorded on the student’s academic transcript after completion of the requirements (confirmed in June and October). For non-degree seeking students enrolled in a standalone certificate, the certificates are made available for pick up at the Registrar’s Office.
Proposals, modifications, and terminations
Before getting started on proposing, modifying, or terminating a standalone or concurrent certificate, please note:
- If a certificate is designed or intended to be offered as both concurrent and standalone, you are required to follow the process and approvals for standalone certificates.
- Changes to existing certificates (both concurrent and standalone) are considered “major” if they impact the name, rationale, learning outcomes, admissions criteria or eligibility for the certificate.
- Modifications falling below this threshold are consideredminor modifications,and may be approved through the relevant Faculty-level body (for undergraduate certificates), or the relevant Faculty-level body and the Faculty of Graduate Studies (graduate certificates) to ensure continued compliance with this policy. Minor modifications should normally be done in consultation with the relevant Associate Dean Academic.
Forms and approval process
Concurrent Certificates
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Standalone Certificates
Please note that MPHEC is currently developing a set of information requirements specific to newstandalonecertificate and diploma programs. In the meantime, universities should continue to use the program-level proposal forms (below).
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* Prior to preparing your suspension/termination proposal, review the suspension and termination information to decide whichtypeof suspension or termination you require for your certificate.