Academic Certificate Programs

Academic Certificates are micro-credentials: clusters of courses that students complete in order to earn official recognition from their home institutions. They are a way for non-degree students, including refugee and displaced learners, to obtain credits and formal evidence of sustained university study, and they provide a way for all students to signal to employers, graduate programs, and others that they have engaged in serious, sustained study in particular interdisciplinary subject areas. Students who complete Certificate Programs receive transferable academic credits, formal attestations of program completion, and transcript recognition or the equivalent from their home institutions.

Undergraduate Academic Certificate FAQS
Undergraduate academic certificates are micro-credentials that students earn in select areas of curricular focus. Each certificate program consists of 4-6 courses, including at least one network 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 and participate in co-curricular activities. Upon completion, they earn certificates and formal recognition by their home institutions.

What certificates are offered?
Civic Engagement, Food Studies, Global Educational Development, Human Rights, Public Policy and Economic Analysis, and Sustainability and Social Enterprise.

What are the program requirements?
Requirements vary by program. In general, each program requires 3-6 courses, including at least one Network Course. Some programs also require co-curricular
activities.

What if I have already completed the 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 or their campus certificate coordinator for details.

Who is eligible?
Students at all network institutions are eligible to apply. Priority is given to first-, second-, and third-year undergraduate students. Applications from students in their final years of study and 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 Certificate Programs require students to take at least one Network Course, some are designed to be completed primarily online while others are designed to take advantage of courses offered in-person on participating campuses. Because we want students on all campuses to be able to participate in all Certification programs, each 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 online 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 the 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 twice per semester: in September, December, February, and May. 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 website and in the newsletter. 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.

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

Who can answer further questions?
For further information, please contact David Shein.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

All students enrolled in Undergraduate Certificate programs need to complete their certificate by Summer 2025. You can see the list of courses that will be offered that meet the certificates requirements here.

Our Programs

There are currently six Undergraduate Academic 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sustainability and Social Enterprise

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.