Financial Awards for Advanced Degrees and Professional Credentials

Administrative Services Guidelines for College Degrees or Professional Credentials

The Administrative Services Division of Weber State University recognizes and encourages staff to engage in continuing education by obtaining degrees and/or certifications to enhance an individual’s professional development, job skills and critical thinking skills. 

Employees should discuss their plans to attain college degrees and professional credentials with department leadership before undertaking any actions. To aid in the discussion, a College Degree or Professional Credential Planning Agreement must be completed if a financial award is desired upon completion. 

Credentials or certifications that do not meet the criteria noted in Tiers 1, 2 or 3, as defined on this page, may be recognized by the supervisor through a Spot Award.

• Pursuing elective degrees, certifications or other professional development programs must not interfere with or detract from the regular work responsibilities of staff members. 
• Financial awards for completion of college degrees and professional credentials will be recommended by department leadership to the Vice President, consistent with the guidance on this page. The type and amount of financial award will be jointly determined based on the perceived value of the degree or certification to the university, division and the department.
• One-time payments are awarded upon completion of the program. Base salary increases will be effective at the beginning of the month following the completion of the degree or attainment of the credential.
• The department will be responsible for funding financial awards, whether base pay or one-time awards.
• Departments have the discretion to award less than the “not to exceed” amount, but they must be consistent and fair in the amount awarded for similar degrees or certifications.
• Tier 3 programs are voluntary enrollment programs sponsored and defined by the department to meet specific departmental needs. They are not required and are not a condition of employment, but are sponsored by the department to improve the professional capability of the individual enrolled and to improve the overall capability and effectiveness of the department.

Awards have been organized into three tiers with the maximum financial award amounts defined for each tier. 

Awards are further organized by whether they’re “Career Path” or “Noncareer Path.”

Career Path: planned future steps in the progression of an employee's profession or field of work at Weber State.

Noncareer Path: planned future steps that are not consistent with the progression of an employee's profession or field of work at WSU.