In order to achieve consistent and reliable nomenclature across non-degree UChicago programs of study and to adhere to the accreditation standards and expectations of the Higher Learning Commission, the University of Chicago Certificate and Credential Proposal Form provides a set of questions that creators of programs are required to answer as they proceed with designing certificate programs and credential programs. Some clarifying definitions are provided below.
As with faculty-approved degree programs, certificate programs and credential programs must operate under the authority of an Academic Dean responsible for initial approval and ongoing quality assurance and program integrity. The Academic Dean may delegate this responsibility in writing to another faculty member. For credential programs that are being proposed by a non-academic unit, this responsibility may be held by a relevant Vice Provost in place of a Dean.
In order to ensure smooth operation, optimize participant experience, increase likelihood of achievement of goals, and create consistency of standards across the University, completion of the Proposal Form is required. All programs (certificate and credential) must complete the form to secure University approval, documentation of which will be kept on file in the Office of the Provost in the event of an audit from the Department of Education and for other ongoing accreditation and recordkeeping processes.
Regarding certificate programs specifically, the Higher Learning Commission requires “appropriate rigor,” and the Proposal Form notes with an asterisk (*) the sections that require responses for certificate proposals but do not require responses for credential proposals. Should a program being developed involve an external partner, please also consult with the Office of Legal Counsel and, if appropriate, with UChicago Global to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Completed proposals are to be submitted at least three months in advance of the planned publicization of the program to ensure appropriate review and approval, including time to make changes if needed and for administrative implementation. There are no exceptions to this timeline. Jeff Jackson, Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs, leads the review process and will be in contact with the unit that has submitted the proposal to advise on the status of the proposal and on any required revisions for securing approval for the proposed program.
Definitions
- Dual degree—completing requirements for two separate degrees, including, for Ph.D., producing two dissertations. Degrees may be within the same academic unit or across academic units.
- Joint degree—completing requirements for two degree programs with possibly overlapping or coordinated degree requirements. Degrees may be within the same academic unit or across academic units.
- Major—a combination of courses and related activities designed to achieve a broad and deep educational focus in a particular academic discipline.
- Minor—use of electives to take a cohesive set of courses to complement studies in a major or to explore an unrelated area of intellectual interest. A minor must be completed in conjunction with a degree program.
- Degree with specialization—a specialization is usually an officially recognized area of focus within a program that warrants notation in a student’s academic record because the student completes selected courses, a paper, or a project.
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Certificates—shorter in duration than a major or minor, these programs provide a rigorous and structured educational experience with a specified academic and/or professional concentration. May be offered in conjunction with a degree or offered as a stand-alone option. Must involve at least two credit-bearing courses.
- A degree-affiliated certificate with credit-bearing courses is a program of academic study and professional development offered to degree-seeking students at the University. Approved by the relevant Academic Dean and including credit-bearing courses offered by an academic unit(s), this program is for students already enrolled in the area(s) eligible to participate. Such a certificate supplements or complements a degree program, and the required coursework must not simply consist of courses required of students to complete their degree program. A degree-affiliated certificate must also include at least one substantive co-curricular requirement such as a conference presentation, internship, capstone project, etc.
- A stand-alone certificate with credit-bearing courses is a program of study involving credit-bearing courses and other co-curricular requirements. Participants need not be enrolled degree-seeking students at the University. Approved by the relevant Academic Dean, the program has a formal admissions process that uses the University’s admission system, Slate.
For both types of credit-bearing certificates, the curriculum, registrations, academic records, transcripts, financial aid (if any), and student accounts are all administered in the Academic Information System (AIS).
The University will issue each student completing a credit-bearing certificate program a branded certificate document indicating the name of the certificate program, the legal or preferred name of the student, and the date of conferral. Formal designation will also appear on the official transcript produced by the AIS.
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Credentials—these programs encompass a wide variety of UChicago-initiated opportunities for degree-seeking students and the public.
- A stand-alone credential is made up of non-credit courses and activities focused on professional development and other educational opportunities. Such programs are normally overseen by the Dean of the relevant academic unit, but may also be overseen by a relevant Vice Provost if being offered by a non-academic unit. Participants in such programs need not be enrolled degree-seeking students at the University.
- A degree-affiliated credential is similar to the program of study described above as a stand-alone credential except that participants must be enrolled in a degree program at the University.
Credential programs may choose to issue “certifications of completion” or other recognitions of completion, affirmations, verifications of program completion, or badges. Other terms may be proposed to the Provost’s Office for consideration and approval. The design of any such recognition document must be approved by the Office of the University Registrar.
This table identifies the features of certificate programs and credential programs detailed in the definitions of #6 and #7 above.
Credit Non-Credit Degree-affiliated Certificate Credential Stand-alone Certificate Credential
Additional Notes for Completing the Proposal Form
Campus Access
For stand-alone programs that will be open to participants who are not enrolled degree-seeking students at the University, units should consider whether participants will require forms of campus access such as: Library; CNetID; UChicago wireless network; buildings (e.g., laboratory, hospital); other University/UCMC electronic systems or platforms. Units are responsible for making necessary arrangements to provide any required forms of campus access to program participants.
The Non-Degree Visiting Student (NDVS) status will grant certain forms of access to participants, but please note that this status is reserved for individuals who are currently enrolled students at other institutions. The NDVS status also requires assessment of the Student Services Fee. Additionally, please note there may be limitations to access depending on a variety of factors, and certain access may require specific training or other permissions.
Visa Sponsorship
Programs intending to admit international participants (e.g., non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. legal permanent residents) to their programs need to be aware that U.S.-based visa sponsorship options are limited and may not be available to certain certificate and credential programs. Please reach out to Nick Seamons in the Office of International Affairs if you have questions or would like to understand visa sponsorship options (if any) specific to your program. Please note, this only applies to programs based in the U.S./Chicago and does not apply to programs offered in locations outside the U.S. In some cases, programs offered outside the U.S. may require review by the Office of Legal Counsel, UChicago Global, and University Research Administration’s Export Control Office.
Lifetime Transcript Fee
This fee is assessed at the discretion of the Registrar’s Office. Contact Scott Campbell.
Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense benefits
The Office of Military-Affiliated Communities manages University agreements with the Department of Defense and VA education benefit programs and can assist with gaining approval. Contact Terrell Odom.
Housing/Meal Plan
Housing and Residence Life offers a variety of campus services to certificate programs and credential programs. Contact summerconferences@uchicago.edu.
Tuition and Fees
Programs should consider how tuition and fees will be set when designing certificate programs and credential programs. Most commonly, tuition is either a flat rate or a per course rate. For programs that will use the Academic Information System (AIS), the method of charging tuition and fees as well as accounting information details are collected after program approval and at the time of program creation in the AIS. Contact the Office of the Bursar.
For questions about the possibility of program participant eligibility for scholarship or tuition funds, as well as questions about loan availability, contact Amanda Fijal.
Loans or payment plans to program participants may implicate the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). Please contact the Office of Legal Counsel for advice as to the applicability of TILA to your proposed loan/payment plan.
Student Health Services
The health insurance requirement, Student Wellness eligibility, and immunization requirement are generally mandatory for programs in which participants will be registered for courses that convene in-person during the day on the Hyde Park campus. Participants in programs where health insurance is not required are not eligible for the University Student Health Insurance Program (USHIP), nor are they eligible to receive services at Student Wellness. All relevant programs are evaluated for these requirements following academic approval and at the time of program creation in the AIS. Contact the Office of the Bursar.