A graduate certificate is an educational credential representing completion of specialized training at the college or university level. A graduate certificate can be awarded by universities upon completion of certain coursework indicating mastering of a specific subject area. Graduate certificates represent training at different levels in different countries and can be at

bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...

master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

level.

UK

A graduate certificate (GradCert, GCert, GradC) is a higher education qualification at the same level as a

but more limited in scope, taking less time to complete - normally between one third and two thirds of an academic year (or full-time equivalent). A longer period of work (but still less than required for a degree) would lead to a graduate diploma. The graduate certificate is positioned at Level 6 (bachelor's degree level) of ''The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland'', and at Level 9 or 10 (bachelor's degree at ordinary or honours level) of ''The framework for qualifications of higher education institutions in Scotland''. In reference to the

European Qualifications Framework The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) acts as a translation device to make national qualifications more readable across Europe, promoting workers' and learners' mobility between countries and facilitating their lifelong learning. The EQF a ...

, it is a 'first-cycle' qualification at the same level of knowledge and challenge as a first or bachelor's degree but without the same depth and breadth of study. Successful students will typically demonstrate some, but not all, of the kinds of skills, knowledge and capabilities that would be expected for a Bachelor's candidate. Hence this certificate is not considered to be an 'end-of-cycle' qualification (it demonstrates only some of the 'first-cycle' learning outcomes). Graduate certificates are available in a limited range of subjects that are typically work-related, for example psychology, management, counselling or law. Graduate certificates are normally taken by those who have already graduated with a bachelor's degree in another discipline (hence the name). This qualification should not be confused with postgraduate certificates or

postgraduate diploma A postgraduate diploma (PgD, PgDip, PGDip, PG Dip., PGD, Dipl. PG, PDE) is a postgraduate qualification awarded after a university degree, which supplements the original degree and awards them with a graduate diploma. Countries that award pos ...

s, which are

-level qualification, or with certificates of Higher Education, which are lower-level qualifications normally taken by those without previous HE qualification.

Ireland

A Graduate Certificate (GradCert) is a master's-level qualification indicating the successful completion of a postgraduate programme of education. The minimum entrance requirement is an undergraduate degree. On th
National Framework for Qualifications
the qualification is at Level 9 or Level 7 on the

Singapore

In support of the SkillsFuture movement, the has launched a graduate certificate programme (GradCert). This is a higher education qualification at an equivalent level to a

but more limited in scope, taking less time to complete. The graduate certificates is designed with working professionals in mind, helping these learners acquire knowledge and skills essential for their workplace. SMU Academy the professional training arm of

Singapore Management University The Singapore Management University (SMU) is a public autonomous university in Singapore. The university is the only city campus in Singapore. It ranks third in Asia as a specialist university, behind Hong Kong University of Science and Techn ...

has launched "Bite Sized Credit Bearing" modules that can be combined towards earning a graduate certificate and subsequently a master's degree. The National University of Singapore, Institute of Systems Science appointed for National Continuing Education & Training (CET) Institute (NCI) for the National Infocomm Competency Framework (NICF) by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) also launches its Stackable Certificate Programmes that provide alternative pathway for continuing education. The series consist of certificates that can be stacked towards earning a graduate certificate and subsequently the graduate diploma or a master's degree.

Canada

In Canada, a graduate certificate is a university credential usually offered to students who have completed an average of 15 credits of . Admission requirements vary tremendously among Canadian universities, but in general both graduate students, as well as undergraduate students having completed a

Bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...

, can apply to such a program. In some cases, the graduate certificate can represent part of the coursework required for obtaining a

Master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

United States

In the United States, a graduate certificate can be awarded by universities upon completion of certain coursework indicating mastery of a specific subject area. Graduate certificates represent training at the

or doctoral level, generally consisting of 12 to 18 semester units of coursework. An accredited bachelor's degree in a related field is a standard prerequisite for entry into a graduate certificate program. In some cases, the graduate certificate can represent part of the coursework required for obtaining a

Doctorate A doctorate (from Latin ''docere'', "to teach"), doctor's degree (from Latin ''doctor'', "teacher"), or doctoral degree is an academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism ''li ...

. In teaching, holding a graduate certificate may satisfy program specific education requirements not met with some interdisciplinary degrees.

Australia

In Australia, a Graduate Certificate is a Level 8 qualification alongside the Bachelor (Honours) degree. Entry to a Graduate Certificate typically requires completion of a bachelor's degree or higher. In some cases, admission may be on the basis of significant work experience. Graduate Certificates typically take six months of full-time study to complete. These courses are usually delivered by universities and private providers.

References

{{Academic degrees Higher education in England Academic degrees of the United Kingdom Academic degrees of the United States Qualifications