Office of the Provost

Undergraduate Certificate Proposals

This guidance describes the steps required to launch an Undergraduate Certificate proposal originating from Purdue West Lafayette for University approvals. Please see Purdue Fort Wayne or Purdue Northwest guidance for proposals originating from these campuses, or reach out to campus contacts.

An Undergraduate Certificate proposal is a supplemental academic program of at least 15 and no more than 21 credit hours that is multidisciplinary by design. Certificates must be distinct by Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code and level from any other certificates offered at Purdue University. Lists of existing certificates can be found on the Office of the Registrar Active Curriculum Reports website.

Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis once they enter the workflow. Time to complete indicates the typical completion timeframe from proposal launch to completion in workflow. Some proposals may complete faster, while others may need more time based on when they are launched. Please see Key Planning Considerations below.

New Undergraduate Certificate

Time to Complete: 90-120 days (15-30 days of this are estimated to complete external review and approval steps)

New certificates require a full review by the Undergraduate Educational Affairs Council (UEAC) and approval by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE). Preview requirements in Curriculog or use this printable checklist.

  • Complete home college steps and have approval to advance your proposal by your Department Head.
  • Complete the New Certificate proposal in  Curriculog, which will require the following:
    • Select CIP based on curriculum and outcomes
    • Determine if this will be seeking separate financial aid approval as a stand-alone certificate (Gainful Employment eligibility).

Key Planning Considerations

  • The UEAC meets monthly, except in July.
  • Proposals need to be on the UEAC step by or before February for inclusion in the next academic year catalog.
  • The ICHE  Academic Affairs & Quality Committee meets monthly, except in December.
  • Following state approvals, certificate programs are screened by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to determine if any additional approvals may be required (uncommon).

Tips

  • A certificate should include at least 6 hours at the 30000 or higher level.
  • The total number of credits required for the certificate includes prerequisites for other courses in the minor beyond foundational courses in the University Core Curriculum.
  • Multidisciplinary means that the curriculum for a certificate must include courses from different subject areas that are not from "closely related subject areas."
  • Certificate programs do not qualify an international student for Optional Practical Training or any other post-completion benefit. Only degree-granting programs qualify a student for benefits.
Existing Undergraduate Certificate

Time to Complete: 45 days for non-Plan of Study changes

Actions to existing certificates include revisions, suspension, or expiration. Suspend and expire guidance (PDF) is available; these actions undergo UEAC review.

Curricula revisions are available only during the annual Plan of Study update. Revisions must be submitted by or before April 1 for inclusion in the next academic year catalog.

  • Complete home college steps and have approval to advance your proposal from your Department Head.
  • Complete the Change Existing Curricula proposal in Curriculog.

The following require external approval by ICHE and/or HLC to the degree program:

  • Changes to modality (e.g. add online)
  • Change to CIP
  • Change in credit hours
  • Name change
  • Curricular changes of 50% or more to the existing program
  • Suspension
  • Expiration

Key Planning Considerations

  • The UEAC meets monthly, except in July.
  • The Academic Affairs & Quality Committee of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education meets monthly, except in December.
  • Following state approvals, changes to existing programs may be screened by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to determine if any additional approvals are required (uncommon).

Tips

  • Suspension is designed to “turn off the valve” for admissions so that a college can begin the teach out process. Suspended programs may be reinstated.
  • Expiration should be used only once all students eligible for teach out have completed the program. Expired programs cannot be reinstated.

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