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.
Dalhousie recently 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 Maritime University Certificate and Diploma Framework.
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 Dalhousie may 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.
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.
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 considered minor 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
- To Propose a New/Modify an Existing Undergraduate Concurrent Certificate (login required)
- To Propose a New/Modify an Existing Graduate Concurrent Certificate (login required)
- To Suspend/Terminate a Concurrent Certificate*(login required)
Standalone Certificates
Please note that MPHEC is currently developing a set of information requirements specific to new standalone certificate and diploma programs. In the meantime, universities should continue to use the program-level proposal forms (below).
- To Propose a New Undergraduate Standalone Certificate (login required)
- To Propose a New Graduate Standalone Certificate (login required)
- To Modify (Major Modification) an Existing Standalone Certificate
- To Suspend/Terminate a Concurrent Certificate *
* Prior to preparing your suspension/termination proposal, review the suspension and termination information to decide which type of suspension or termination you require for your certificate.