Section 2 - Degree Requirements

Institutional certificates are credit-bearing credentials that may qualify for federal financial aid if of sufficient length (R402-5.1). Course work for certificates is designed in a specific area for career and technical education purposes or for professional development (PPM 4-1 3.3). Institutional certificates at Weber State University are academic certificates, which may be an undergraduate, post-bachelor’s, master’s, or post-master’s-level award (R402-5.1.3).

In order to earn an institutional certificate, a minimum of 6 semester credit hours must be completed in residence at Weber State University. Military credit, special examination, experiential credits and credits awarded by department decision do not qualify for residential hours (PPM 4-1 3.3.1). At the discretion of the department, credits earned as part of an institutional certificate program may be applied to a degree program offered by the academic department (PPM 4-1 3.3.5). Students enrolled in institutional certificate programs may need to meet additional credit hour requirements in order to qualify for financial aid and should check with the Financial Aid Office (PPM 4-1 3.3.4).

2.2.1 – Undergraduate Certificates

• 2.2.1.1 – Certificate of Proficiency. A Certificate of Proficiency is an undergraduate certificate A program of study that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

  • 2.2.1.1.1 – A Certificate of Proficiency will be less than one year in length of full-time study.

    2.2.1.1.2 – A Certificate of Proficiency will require 16 to 29 semester credit hours. Does not require but may include general education courses.

    2.2.1.1.3 – A Certificate of Proficiency will be reflected on the transcript.

    2.2.1.1.4 - Students enrolled in a Certificate of Proficiency may need to meet additional credit hour requirements in order to qualify for financial aid and should check with the Financial Aid Office.

• 2.2.1.2 – Certificate of Completion. A Certificate of Completion is an undergraduate certificate consisting entirely of lower-division courses. A Certificate of Completion is intended to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.
•  
  • 2.2.1. 2.1 – A Certificate of Completion will typically require more than one year and less than two years in length of full-time study.
  •  
  • 2.2.1.2.2 – A Certificate of Completion will require a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 33 semester credit hours.
  •  
  • 2.2.1.2.3 – A Certificate of Completion’s general education requirements are less extensive than in AA and AS degrees.
  •  
  • 2.2.1.2.3 – A Certificates of Completion requiring more than 36 semester credit hours must show how the certificate can lead to an associate’s degree within the normal credit hour requirements for that degree.
  •  
  • 2.2.1.2.4 – When appropriate, transfer agreements should be included in the program proposal.
  •  
  • 2.2.1.2.5 – A certificate of completion will be reflected on the transcript.
  •  
  • 2.2.1.2.6 – Students enrolled in a Certificate of Completion may need to meet additional credit hour requirements in order to qualify for financial aid and should check with the Financial Aid Office.

• 2.2.1.3 – Certificate of Specialization.  A Certificate of Specialization is an undergraduate certificate requiring a minimum of 9 semester credit hours. The purpose of a Certificate of Specialization is to provide focused study in a specific sub-discipline and to demonstrate applied competency.
•  
  • 2.2.1.3.1 - Coursework for a Certificate of Specialization must be intentionally sequenced to develop depth within the defined domain.
  •  
  • 2.2.1.3.2 - At least one course within the certificate must include a significant applied component, such as substantial lab components, project-based. experiences, or the use of industry-aligned tools, frameworks, or methodologies.
  •  
  • 2.2.1.3.3 - Learning outcomes for a Certificate of Specialization must demonstrate that students have acquired specialized skills sufficient to apply the thematic area directly in practical or industry-relevant contexts, including the ability to perform identifiable tasks, workflows, or roles associated with the field.
  •  
  • 2.2.1.3.4 - Certificates must represent a coherent and appropriately scoped domain of study, with coursework that reflects meaningful breadth or depth within the defined area.
  •  
  • 2.2.1.3.5 - No more than 4 credit hours may overlap between course requirements of distinct Certificates of Specialization.

2.2.2 – Post-baccalaureate Certificates

A Post-baccalaureate Certificate is a program of study requiring less than 30 semester credit hours and composed of undergraduate and/or graduate courses. The program requires a bachelor’s degree for admission. A Post-baccalaureate Certificate will be reflected on the transcript (R402-6, Table 1, “Program Criteria”; PPM 11-1-3).

2.2.3 – Post-master’s Certificates

A Post-master’s Certificate is a program of study consisting of 12 to 29 credit hours less than 30 semester credit hours and composed entirely of graduate-level courses. The program requires a master’s degree for admission. A Post-master’s Certificate will be reflected on the transcript (R402-6, Table 1, “Program Criteria”; PPM 11-1-3).

2.4.1 – Associate of Arts (AA) & Associate of Science (AS) Degrees

Programs of study primarily intended to encourage exploration of academic options that provide a strong general education component, and prepare students for upper-division work in baccalaureate programs or for employment and for responsible citizenship. Typically two years in length of full-time study (UBHE policy R402).

For information related to Specialized Associate’s Degrees please see UBHE policy R402-5.2.2.4.

2.4.2 – AA & AS Requirements

• 2.4.2.1 – Requires a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 63 semester credit hours, which includes general education coursework. Exceptions for the maximum number of program hours are allowed if accreditation issues require a set number of courses within a given program.

• 2.4.2.2 – A minimum of 20 hours in residence.

• 2.4.2.3 – At least a 2.0 WSU grade point average (GPA).

• 2.4.2.4 – Completion of WSU general education and diversity requirements.

2.4.3 – Foreign Language or American Sign Language Requirements

The Associate of Arts Degree must include a foreign language or ASL (American Sign Language) requirement which may be met by one of the following:

• 2.4.3.1 – Documentation of a proficiency level of "Novice High" or better through an examination administered by the WSU Foreign Language Department or through an examination by a recognized testing agency.

• 2.4.3.2 – Completion of WSU foreign language course 1020 with a grade of "C" of higher, or comparable transfer credit.

• 2.4.3.3 – Completion of any WSU foreign language course at a level beyond the first year with a grade of "C" or higher, or comparable transfer credit. Documentation of three years of the same language completed in high school with a minimum grade of "B".

• 2.4.3.4 – Documentation of a minimum proficiency level in American Sign Language through an examination administered by the American Sign Language/Interpreting program at SLCC. The signer must "demonstrate proficiency in temporal aspect, spatial agreement and in describing things around her/him and the deaf culture."

• 2.4.3.5 – Completion of WSU American Sign Language course 1020 with a grade of "C" or higher, or comparable transfer credit.

2.6.1 – Master of Arts (MA) & Master of Science (MS) Degrees

Graduate-level programs of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. Typically more than one and less than two years of full-time graduate study. Requires a minimum of 30 and maximum of 36 semester credit hours of coursework (R402 - 5.4.1).

2.6.2 – Professional Master’s Degrees

Professional master’s degrees such as the Master of Business Administration or Master of Social Work may require additional course work or projects. May exceed the maximum of 36 credit hours to meet accreditation requirements. Professional degrees often lead to third-party licensure. (R402 - 5.4.2).

2.6.3 – Degree Requirements

Credit hour requirement. A minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree is required for any Weber State University master degree. Additional course work or projects may be required due to graduate program accreditation standards, or for specialized professional master degrees.

At least two-thirds of the credits in any master degree program (including thesis or project) must be received from Weber State University.

• 2.6.3.1 – GPA Requirement. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required for successful completion of a graduate degree. The sponsoring department determines individual course grade requirements.

• 2.6.3.2 – Time Limit for Degree Completion. All degree requirements must be completed within six years from the semester of entry into a Weber State University graduate program. Graduate students' catalog will be the catalog in effect the academic year when they enroll in the graduate program following formal admission into that program. Graduate programs may impose an age limit on graduate credits completed prior to entry into a program. The graduate program must approve any exceptions to the above requirements.

• 2.6.3.3 – Thesis / Non-Thesis Degree Options. Master's degree programs may include a "thesis option" and/or a "non-thesis option." The Master's thesis should be evidence of the graduate student's ability to carry out an independent investigation and to present the results in clear and systemic form.

  • 2.6.3.3.1 – The overall level of achievement for the Master's degree should be the same whether the option chosen requires completion of a thesis or not.

  • 2.6.3.3.2 – The thesis option should include at least 6 semester credits of thesis research. The semesters during which a student registers for thesis credit should correspond as closely as possible to the semesters in which the thesis work is done and faculty supervision is provided.

  • 2.6.3.3.3 – The non-thesis option will instead include a major project, paper, presentation, and/or a comprehensive examination.