Request for New Certificate, Credential, or Subject Matter Preparation Programs

What are Certificate, Credential, or Subject Matter Preparation Programs?

A certificate program is a coherent set of academic courses, considerably narrower in scope and objectives than a degree or major, for which students can receive a certificate upon its successful completion. Most certificate programs are oriented toward occupations and/or career skills. No student is required to complete a certificate program. Completion is recognized by the awarding of a certificate. While the courses will appear on a student's transcript, there is no notation about the program on either a diploma or permanent record, because unlike a minor, a certificate is not part of a degree. Students may pursue a certificate program before, during, or after your baccalaureate degree. 

Requirements:

  • A certificate program must contain at least 12 units of courses numbered 300 or above and a minimum of 15 total units. 
  • Each certificate program must contain a required core of at least three courses and 9 units.
  • With faculty advice, special certificate programs may be available. Students should see General Education: Interdisciplinary Studies and Special Certificates chapter of the catalog.
  • Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in each course applied to the program.
  • Only one course may be taken “CR/NC” in a certificate program not counting courses for which that is the only grading pattern for the course.
  • At least 75% of the units must be taken at AVÀÇ. (For certificate programs, AVÀÇ courses may be taken through University Extension or as a regularly admitted and enrolled student.)
  • Students who have already received a major, option, or minor with the same title are not eligible for the certificate. 

 

A graduate certificate program is a coherent set of academic courses, considerably narrower in scope and objectives than a degree, for which you can receive a certificate upon its successful completion. Most certificate programs are oriented toward occupations and/or career skills. No student is required to complete a certificate program. Completion is recognized by the awarding of a certificate. While the courses will appear on a student's transcript, there is no notation about the program on either a diploma or permanent record.

Requirements:

  • Each certificate program must contain a minimum of 12 units.
  • For programs that include undergraduate courses, the minimum is 15 units.
  • Any undergraduate courses must be at the upper-division level.
  • Only one course below the 600-level may be taken “CR/NC” and no graduate course may be taken “CR/NC” in a certificate program unless that is the only grading pattern for the course.
  • Students must take at least 75% of the courses and all 600-level courses at AVÀÇ. (For certificate programs, AVÀÇ courses may be taken through University Extension or as a regularly admitted and enrolled student.) 

 

A Credential Program is a program that has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) to satisfy the professional education requirements established by law and Commission policies. (CCTC issues the credential, not CSUEB).
A Subject Matter Preparation Program is a program that has been approved by the CCTC to satisfy the academic subject matter requirements for prospective teachers established by law and Commission policies.

Process for New Certificate or Subject Matter Preparation Programs

Once the approval of the Department Chair has been obtained to propose a new certificate or subject matter preparation program, you will need to:

  1. Log into 
  2. Select the New Proposal Icon, new-proposal
  3. Select the "Programs" Tab
  4. Select "Program - Certificate OR Subject Matter Preparation - NEW" if you are proposing a new Certificate or Subject Matter program
  5. Select the "Start Proposal" icon checkmark to begin your proposal

Any new course proposals required for the new certificate, credential, or subject matter preparation program must be submitted with the program proposal (or prior to the submission of the proposal) in order for the proposal to continue on to the Senate committees’ review/approval process. Visit our New Course Request Webpage to learn more about requesting new courses.

Once a faculty Member and/or Department Chair originates proposal in Curriculog, the proposal then moves through the approval process as follows:
  1. Department Chair (if not the originator)
  2. Consultation (Newly approved curriculum reviewed by all Department Chairs and Associate Deans. Colleges/Departments have five working days to review proposals and submit any comments within Curriculog.) If no consultation is requested, proposal proceeds to next step.
  3. Dean and/or Associate Dean Review
  4. College Curriculum Committee (proposal may require additional Dean/Associate Dean review if significant changes are made at this step)
  5. Dean's Office Approval
  6. Academic Programs and Services (Technical Review, and Director, Associate Dean or Dean approval depending on proposal)
  7. Committee on Academic Planning and Resources (CAPR)
  8. Committee on Instruction and Curriculum (CIC)
  9. Executive Committee of the Academic Senate (ExCom)
  10. Academic Senate
  11. University President
  12. If it is a Subject Matter Program, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
  13. University Curriculum Coordinator facilitates the completion of the proposal and addition into the catalog

Process for New Credential Programs

Once the approval of the Department Chair has been obtained to propose a new credential program, you will need to:

  1. Log into 
  2. Select the New Proposal Icon, new-proposal
  3. Select the "Programs" Tab
  4. Select "Program - Credential - NEW" if you are proposing a new Credential Program.
  5. Select the "Start Proposal" icon checkmark to begin your proposal
Any new course proposals required for the new certificate, credential, or subject matter preparation program must be submitted with the program proposal (or prior to the submission of the proposal) in order for the proposal to continue on to the Senate committees’ review/approval process. Visit our New Course Request Webpage to learn more about requesting new courses.
Once a faculty Member and/or Department Chair originates proposal in Curriculog, the proposal then moves through the approval process as follows:
  1. Department Chair (if not the originator)
  2. Consultation (Newly approved curriculum reviewed by all Department Chairs and Associate Deans. Colleges/Departments have five working days to review proposals and submit any comments within Curriculog.) If no consultation is requested, proposal proceeds to next step.
  3. Dean and/or Associate Dean
  4. College Curriculum Committee (proposal may require additional Dean/Associate Dean review if significant changes are made at this step)
  5. Dean's Office Approval
  6. Academic Programs and Services (Technical Review, and Director, Associate Dean or Dean approval depending on proposal)
  7. Committee on Academic Planning and Resources (CAPR)
  8. Committee on Instruction and Curriculum (CIC)
  9. Executive Committee of the Academic Senate (ExCom)
  10. Academic Senate
  11. University President
  12. WASC Substantive Screening
  13. CSU Chancellor's Office
  14. University Curriculum Coordinator facilitates the completion of the proposal and addition into the catalog

Semester Catalog Curriculum Deadlines

New Certificates, Credential, and Subject Matter Preparation Programs can only take effect in Fall Semester. Academic Programs and Services deadlines are outlined in the . However, college deadlines are set earlier, so please check with your College Curriculum Coordinator for college-specific curriculum submission deadlines.