RockhuRst univeRsity 2012–2014 catalog

CertificatesCredit-Bearing Certificates of Graduate Study andPost-Baccalaureate CertificatesPost-Baccalaureate Certificates (PBC) are awarded for prescribed programs of study.Courses in the post-baccalaureate certificate programs include only upper-division undergraduatecourses and may include some graduate course work (3000 to 8000-level courses).Certificates of Graduate Study (COGS) are awarded for prescribed programs of studywith all coursework taken at the graduate level (5000 to 8000-level courses). PBSs andCOGS consist of a minimum 12 credit hours, and typically average between 12 and 18credit hours, however some certificate programs may require substantially more credithours. Labs, practica, internships, and capstone experiences may be part of the certificateprogram.PBCs and COGS may be associated with an existing degree program at RockhurstUniversity or they may be freestanding entities. PBCs and COGS can be interdisciplinaryprograms of study or related to only one discipline. Each certificate program has its ownadmission criteria, but all require successful completion of a bachelor’s degree. In thosecases where a PBC or COGS is associated with an existing degree program, that programhas primary academic oversight responsibility for the certificate program. For those PBCsand COGS not associated with an existing degree program, primary degree oversightresides with a committee.A 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) is required for retention in a PBC or COGS, and thePBC or COGS must be completed within three years. Up to 25 percent of the credithours for PBC or COGS may be transferred from another institution given that the creditmeets existing graduate credit transfer policy criteria. Furthermore, only 25 percent of thecredit hours for a PBC or COGS may be taken prior to formal admission into the certificateprogram at Rockhurst. PBCs and COGS are credit-bearing programs and are notedon the regular academic transcript. Certificates will be presented to participants of PBCsand COGS.The University administration has the authority to establish different tuition rates forPBCs and COGS.Non-Credit CertificatesA non-credit certificate is referred to as either a “Certificate of Attendance” or a “Certificateof Participation”. There are no institutionally determined minimum admissionrequirements for non-credit certificate offerings, however there may be professionaladmission standards for certain non-credit certificate offerings.Non-credit certificate offerings are not noted on the official academic transcript.The actual certificates are presented to participants in non-credit courses or programs.At times, a credit-bearing course or certificate program may also be offered as a creditbearingcourse. Students opting for the credit option enroll for credit prior to the onset ofthe non-credit course or certificate program and pay the regular tuition rate. Students takinga credit-bearing course as a non-credit course shall pay $125 per semester hour. See Non-Credit Enrollment Option in the Graduate Admission section of this catalog.276