How to Earn a Certificate: Choosing to earn a professional certificate has many benefits, including:
- being part of a group of like-minded students with similar interests and goals
- differentiating yourself against competition in the workforce
- the opportunity for advancement in your current job
- establishing yourself as a continuous learner who is open to grow and develop within your profession
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building confidence and overall professional credibility
To earn a certificate, you must successfully complete all required courses and electives with the minimum grade established. In most cases, a grade of C or better is required, but some certificates require a grade of B or better. Please see the individual certificate page for details, or contact the program coordinator for your specific program to confirm the minimum grade requirement.
Most courses are offered year-round with varying start dates. Use the suggested course path on the certificate page to guide you.
Getting Started: Some certificates require an application for course enrollment. We strongly recommend that all students apply before completing the third course in their certificate program. This affiliates the certificate to your student record allowing you to track your progress through your Student Portal.
Enrollment Process: There are four ways to enroll: online, by phone, in-person, or via mail. The process is simple, but for more detailed information, see How to Enroll. As soon as you complete the enrollment process, you will receive an Enrollment Confirmation email with your course title and description, schedule, location, fee, textbook, and UCR NetID information.
- If you are a new student, the confirmation alerts you to watch for an additional email with instructions to create your UCR NetID account prior to the start of your course(s).
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If you are a returning student who already has a UCR NetID, the confirmation verifies your UCR NetID and prompts you to reactivate it, if necessary.
Completion Requirements: In addition to any specific prerequisites required for a certificate, the following are standard requirements across all certificates, unless otherwise noted:
- must have high school degree or equivalent
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all coursework must be completed within five years
Professional Licensure and Certification: University of California programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the University of California and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.
The University of California has not determined whether its programs meet other states' educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a University of California program, they will meet their state's requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).