When considering a post-bachelor certificate programs, it is important for prospective students to consider subject availability, program scheduling options and admissions requirements.
About Post-Bachelor Certificate Programs
Subject Options
Generally, post-bachelor's or post-baccalaureate certificate programs are focused on a particular topic or subject area. They may benefit students who want to prepare for professional or graduate school or who want to acquire additional skills in order to advance in their careers. Certificates are offered in a variety of disciplines, including:
- Business
- History
- Liberal studies
- Math
- Political science
- Counseling
- Education
- Information systems
Program Formats
Post-bachelor's certificate programs may be offered online or on-campus. They usually take from a couple of months to one year to complete, depending on the number of courses. They are less intense and involve a shorter course of study than master's degree programs, which may take two years or more to complete. An institution may allow a student to transfer credits from a post-bachelor's certificate towards a master's degree.
Admission Requirements
A post-bachelor's certificate is a graduate program. Therefore, applicants must meet admission requirements to enter graduate school. The minimum entrance requirement is a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution. Many colleges require that an applicant achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 3.0 scale for their undergraduate work. There may also be minimum GPA requirements for courses in subjects related to the certificate program.
Application materials often include:
- Official undergraduate transcripts
- Resume
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
Some schools may require an applicant to take certain prerequisite courses if they weren't completed as part of a bachelor's program. These courses can be taken during a summer session to meet college requirements.
Post-bachelor certificates can benefit graduates from many different degree programs who want to increase their expertise in a particular area or become qualified for a particular job. These programs are typically less extensive than graduate degree programs, but students must still meet specific admission requirements.
