Academic Certificate Programs

OSUN has developed academic certificate programs to further integrate curriculums, sequence coursework, and allow non-degree students, such as refugee and displaced learners, to obtain credits and a transferable micro-credential. Certificate programs are further linked to OSUN Online Courses and Network Collaborative courses. Institutions are asked, where possible, to recognize certificates on academic transcripts. Each certificate requires 3-6 courses and may include co-curricular activities.

OSUN Academic Certificate FAQS
Open Society University Network (OSUN) academic certificates are micro-credentials that students earn in select OSUN themes and areas of curricular focus. Each certificate program consists of 4-6 courses, including at least one OSUN course, and some also require co-curricular activities.

What are the benefits of having a certificate?
Students who enter certificate programs join cohorts of like-minded students from across the
globe taking OSUN classes and participating in co-curricular activities. Upon completion, they
earn OSUN certificates and, where permitted by home institutions, earn transcriptual recognition.

What certificates does OSUN offer?
OSUN Academic Certificates are currently offered in the areas of Civic Engagement, Food
Studies, Global Educational Development, Human Rights, Public Policy and Economic Analysis,
and Social Enterprise and Leading Change. See here for details. New programs under
consideration include Certificates in Cybersecurity, Global Justice, and Liberal Arts and
Sciences.

What are the program requirements?
Requirements vary by program; they can be found here. In general, each program requires 4-6
courses, including at least one OSUN Course. Some programs also require co-curricular
activities.

What if I have already completed program requirements?
Courses completed prior to application to a Certificate program will be counted towards the
program requirements. Interested students should consult with the relevant Certificate program
director for details; see here for contact information.

Who is eligible?
Students at all OSUN institutions are eligible to apply. Priority is given to first-, second-, and
third-year undergraduate students. Final-year students are eligible if they can complete all
program requirements by their final semester. Applications from graduate students are
considered on a case-by-case basis.

Can I apply to more than one certificate program?
Absolutely. Students are encouraged to apply to as many Certificate Programs as interest them
and that they can complete, consonant with the requirements of their home campuses.

Can the same course count towards multiple certificate programs?
Yes.

What if program requirements are not offered on my campus?
While all OSUN Certificate Programs require students to take at least one OSUN Course, some
are designed to be completed primarily online while others are designed to take advantage of
courses offered in-person on participating OSUN campuses. Because we want students on all
OSUN campuses to be able to participate in all Certification programs, each OSUN Academic
Certificate program is working to develop OSUN Online course options to allow students
without an in-person option to complete program requirements. This is a work in progress;
students without in-person course options are encouraged to consult with program directors to
discuss on-line alternatives to required courses being offered in-person only.

How do I apply?
You may submit your application through the application portal. After you register in the portal,
you can indicate the certificate program or programs that interest you and then complete the
relevant form(s). The application form will differ somewhat by certificate program.
Links to each certificate application portal are below:
Civic Engagement
Food Studies
Global Education and Development
Human Rights
Public Policy and Economic Analysis
Social Enterprise and Leading Change

What is the deadline?
Applications are invited once per semester. The fall semester deadline is the first Monday in
December; the spring semester deadline is the first Monday in April. Dates will be announced
on the OSUN website. Students are typically notified of the decision on their application to a
certificate program within 60 days.

I am a faculty member interested in teaching in a certificate program–how do I get involved?
Fantastic! Contact the director of the relevant program (see here).

I am a faculty member interested in starting a certificate program–whom do I contact?
Email David Shein ([email protected]) with a brief description of the program.

Who can answer further questions?
For further information, please contact David Shein ([email protected]).

Our Programs

There are currently six OSUN Certificate Programs:

Civic Engagement

Students are provided with a structured path for merging curricular and co-curricular civic pursuits to deepen their knowledge and understanding of civic engagement.
Global Educational Development

The certificate is a progressive micro-credential that combines coursework and practicums for students in the field of global educational development policy and practice.
Public Policy and Economic Analysis

The program serves future policymakers committed to the principles of economic stability and economic rights for all by providing a set of cutting-edge interdisciplinary analytical techniques and theoretical approaches to tackle urgent twenty-first century problems.
Human Rights

The certificate provides a structured path for students interested in deepening their knowledge and understanding of human rights theory and practice. Students engage in co-curricular activities outside of the classroom that inform their academic work.
Check back soon for more information.
Social Enterprise and Leading Change

Students receive leadership training to develop critical thinking skills and other skill sets needed to create and build both nonprofit and mission-driven, for-profit organizations. Check back soon for more information.
Food Studies

Students deepen theoretical and applied knowledge of food studies through a scholar-practitioner approach focused on sustainability and local practices. Classroom instruction is augmented by experience in food-related work environments.