CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
GENERAL INFORMATION
A student wishing to earn an undergraduate or graduate certificate at San Francisco
State University is expected to follow the basic university requirements and procedures
outlined herein. In addition, the prescribed program requirements of the desired
certificate must be completed. More detailed information regarding a specific certificate
may be obtained by contacting the academic unit offering the program.
Undergraduate Certificates
| Certificate |
Department/Program Office |
| Athletic Coaching |
Kinesiology |
| Biotechnology |
Biology |
| Construction Practices |
Extended Learning |
| Cooperative Education |
Undergraduate Studies |
| Holistic Health |
Health Education and Extended Learning |
| Legal/Court Interpretation (Spanish/English) |
Extended Learning |
| Music/Recording Industry |
Extended Learning |
| Paralegal Studies |
Extended Learning |
| Preschool-Daycare Early Childhood Education |
Extended Learning |
| Professional Practice of Internal Auditing |
Accounting and Extended Learning |
| Psychological Field Services |
Psychology |
Technical and Professional
Writing |
Center for Humanistic Studies |
Graduate Certificates
| Certificate |
School/Department/Program Office |
| Counseling Deaf Persons |
Counseling |
| Counseling Deafened and Hard of Hearing Persons |
Counseling |
| Dietetics: Focus on Older Adults |
Consumer and Family Studies/Dietetics |
| Early Childhood Special Education |
Special Education |
| Educational Therapy |
Special Education |
| Entrepreneurial Leadership in Health Care |
Extended Learning |
| Family Nurse Practitioner |
Extended Learning |
| Genetic Engineering |
Biology |
| Independent Living Center Practices |
Counseling |
| Integrated Services |
Special Education |
| Jewish Community Studies |
Jewish Studies |
| Middle/Junior High School |
Elementary and Secondary Education |
| Rehabilitation Counseling |
Counseling |
| Rehabilitation Engineering Technology |
Counseling |
| Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind |
Special Education |
| Serious Emotional Disturbance |
Special Education |
| Teaching Critical Thinking |
Philosophy |
| Teaching of Composition |
English |
| Teaching Post-Secondary Reading |
English |
| Training Systems Development |
Instructional Technology |
| Vocational Special Education |
Special Education |
Purpose of Certificate Programs
A certificate program is a coherent set of academic courses that does not lead to a
degree, but is focused on a substantial area of study that may be practically oriented
toward skills and/or occupations. Such a program is designed to meet special needs,
especially those with a limited time to learn specific subjects, concepts, skills, and
competencies. The award of a certificate means the holder has completed the required
courses and related work at an acceptable level of academic accomplishment. The
certificate indicates to a prospective employer that the university validates the
particular program of study. It neither credentials nor licenses the student, nor does it
guarantee the ability of the student to put into practice what has been studied.
ACCEPTANCE TO CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Guidelines for Acceptance to Undergraduate Certificate Programs
In order to be accepted to an undergraduate certificate program, a student must have
completed 56 semester units of undergraduate course work with a 2.0 (C) grade point
average. Exceptions may be permitted upon presentation of special justification to the
Dean of Undergraduate Studies or appropriate program administrator for Extended Learning
programs.
Students interested in pursuing an undergraduate certificate program should contact the
offering department regarding specific program requirements and procedures. For
certificate programs offered through Extended Learning, students should contact the
program area as shown in the program description.
Guidelines for Acceptance to Graduate Certificate Programs
Admission to Post-Baccalaureate Status
- A student who is already enrolled in the university as a post-baccalaureate student
(i.e., pursuing a graduate degree, a credential program, or in unclassified status) may
apply to a certificate program.
- A student who is interested in pursuing a certificate program may apply to the
university as a post-baccalaureate classified student. Note: It is
recommended that the student seek admission, if appropriate, to a degree program within
the sponsoring department so that graduate units taken may be considered, where permitted,
for later application towards a degree. Not more than twelve (12) units taken as an
unclassified student may be applied toward the requirements of a graduate degree.
Acceptance to Certificate Program
A student enrolled, or eligible to enroll, in the university as a post-baccalaureate
level student must contact the program offering the desired certificate to complete any
prescribed requirements for acceptance to that program. Such requirements and procedures
may include a supplementary application, a defined set of prerequisite courses, a
designated GPA, written recommendations, etc., as may be appropriate for the program in
question.
BASIC UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The university requirements listed below are considered to be minimal and the academic
department offering the program may impose additional or higher requirements for its
specific certificate program(s). See the specific presentation in the Academic Programs
section of this Bulletin or contact the department offering the certificate for
further information.
Basic University Undergraduate Certificate Program Requirements
- Every student in an undergraduate certificate program must complete a minimum common
core of course work (i.e., required of all students) consisting of at least twelve (12)
semester units. See specific program requirements.
- At least two-thirds of the units comprising an undergraduate certificate program must be
at the upper division level. Graduate level courses may be used in special circumstances
to satisfy program requirements at the discretion of the academic area offering the
certificate.
- At least one-half of the required minimum number of units must be taken in residence.
Credit by examination is permitted in accordance with established university regulations.
- At least two-thirds of the units applied toward meeting the requirements of an
undergraduate certificate program must be graded on an A-F basis.
- The course work used to satisfy the requirements of an undergraduate certificate must be
completed with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C), and only courses with
a grade of CR, C-, or better, may be included to meet undergraduate certificate program
requirements.
- Before completing an undergraduate certificate program, all students must demonstrate an
appropriate level of writing competency as prescribed by the program area offering the
certificate (see program requirements).
- Courses may be used to meet both a baccalaureate degree and an undergraduate certificate
objective providing they are appropriate and acceptable toward the specific requirements
of each program.
- All requirements for an undergraduate certificate program must be completed within a
seven-year time period defined as beginning with the date of registration for the first
course used to meet the requirements for the certificate, and ending with the date the
last requirement is completed. It is expected that the student will have filed an
application for the award of the certificate within this same time period.
Basic University Graduate Certificate Program Requirements
- Every student in a graduate certificate program must complete a minimum common core of
course work (i.e., required of all students) consisting of at least nine (9) semester
units. See specific program requirements.
- At least one-half, but not less than six, of the units comprising a graduate certificate
program must be in graduate level courses. Any undergraduate level course utilized in the
program must be at the upper division level.
- At least two-thirds of the course units for the certificate must be taken in residence.
Units earned through extension, including Open University enrollment, are not considered
as work in residence.
- Curriculum requirements must be met explicitly without the use of waivers and
substitutions.
- At least two-thirds of the required units for a certificate program must be graded on an
A-F basis.
- At least two thirds of the course units used to meet the requirements for the
certificate must have been taken while in post-baccalaureate status. Course work taken
prior to acceptance in the certificate program may not be used to meet program
requirements, except in unusual circumstances. Approval must be granted in advance.
- The course work used to satisfy the requirements for a graduate certificate must be
completed with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B), and only courses
completed with a grade of C or better may be used to meet program requirements (i.e., C-
grades and below are unacceptable).
- Before completing a graduate certificate program, all students must demonstrate an
appropriate level of writing competency as prescribed by the program area offering the
certificate (see program requirements).
- Courses may be used to meet both a master's degree and a graduate certificate objective
providing they are appropriate and acceptable toward the specific requirements of each
program.
- All requirements for a graduate certificate program must be completed within a
seven-year time period defined as beginning with the date of registration for the first
course used to meet the requirements for the certificate, and ending with the date the
last requirement is completed. It is expected that the student will have filed an
application for the award of the certificate within this same time period.
OBSERVANCE OF CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
A student planning to earn an undergraduate or graduate certificate must meet the
requirements, as reflected in the university Bulletin, that are in effect
(1) as of the date the student is officially accepted to a certificate program by the
offering department (or in special circumstances the date of the first course used to meet
the requirements for the certificate, providing continuous enrollment in the university
has been maintained) or (2) as of the date the application for the award of the
certificate is filed in the Graduate Division (for both undergraduate and graduate
certificates).
Advising and Registration
Advising assistance will be provided by the program faculty responsible for offering
the program.
Registration for required courses will be accomplished by means of the normal
registration process of the university or through Extended Learning registration
procedures for Extended Learning certificate programs.
APPLYING FOR AWARD OF THE CERTIFICATE
When all the requirements for either an undergraduate or graduate certificate program
have been completed, the following steps must be taken to apply for the certificate, to
have the completion of the requirements checked, and to have the certificate awarded to
the student. Note that the Graduate Division is responsible for the final processing
requirements for both undergraduate and graduate certificates. Graduation for
Extended Learning certificates is processed through the Extended Learning Office.
The student prepares a Certificate Approved Program (CAP) form (available in the
department, Undergraduate Studies, or Graduate Division) and forwards it, along with
transcript(s) showing the completion of all course requirements, to the department chair
of the area offering the certificate program.
The chair is responsible for determining that all the requirements for the certificate
have been satisfactorily completed. This is accomplished by signing the CAP form.
After paying the application fee ($7.00) for the award of the certificate at the
Cashier's Office and having the CAP form stamped "Paid," the student is
responsible for filing (a) the signed CAP form, (b) the supporting transcript(s), and (c)
the evidence of the fee paid, in the Graduate Division, ADM 254 (for both
undergraduate and graduate certificates).
The Graduate Division is responsible for reviewing the materials received and
authorizing the issuance of the undergraduate or graduate certificate on behalf
of the department/program area and in the name of the university. This is accomplished by
the Dean of Undergraduate Studies or the Graduate Division, as appropriate, signing the
certificate and returning it along with two signed copies of the CAP form to the
department/program area. Upon receipt, the department/ program chair signs the official
certificate and arranges to issue it, along with a copy of the CAP form, to the student. A
second copy of the signed CAP form is to be retained by the department/program area for
its records.
The Graduate Division is also responsible for forwarding a signed copy of the CAP form
to the Registrar's Office. This copy of the CAP form will serve as the official
notification that all the certificate requirements have been completed satisfactorily. The
registrar is then responsible for posting the award of the certificate on the student's
permanent academic record (i.e., transcript).