Graduate certificates are coursework-based, stand-alone credentials built around a defined area of specialization. They are perfect for:
- Working professionals and/or students who want to strengthen their resume, develop new skills, or gain deeper insight into their field.
- Learners exploring graduate education who want to experience graduate-level coursework before committing to a master’s or doctoral program.
- Prospective students who want to improve their chances of admission into a master’s or doctoral program.
Graduate certificates are composed of predefined coursework and can be completed in as few as three to five graduate-level courses (9–15 credits) and are designed with flexibility in mind. Many are available online, allowing you to learn on your schedule, while others are offered in person.
Be the candidate who stands out.
Why earn a graduate certificate?
Graduate certificates provide an opportunity to:
- Advance your career by gaining targeted, job-ready skills.
- Enhance your resume/CV and help you stand out in competitive fields.
- Deepen your expertise in an area relevant to your professional goals.
- Build toward a master’s or doctoral degree – in some cases, certificate coursework may count toward a related master’s program (check with the department for details).
- Experience graduate study without committing to a full degree program.
Who can enroll
To apply, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. However, there are exceptions for current CSU undergraduates (see below).
Some programs may have additional prerequisites or admission requirements, which are listed on the department’s webpage.
International students:
- International students cannot participate in residential instruction (in-person) certificates, unless they are already enrolled in a residential instruction degree program at CSU, due to visa regulations.
- Most online graduate certificates are open to international students regardless of their residency status.
Current CSU students:
- Current CSU graduate students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree must apply for graduate certificates before all required certificate coursework is completed. Graduate students will not be awarded a certificate if coursework is completed before applying for the certificate.
- Current CSU undergraduates may apply for a graduate certificate before completing their bachelor’s degree; however, unconditional admission and award of the certificate will not occur until the bachelor’s degree has been awarded.
How to apply
You must apply for admission into a graduate certificate, even if you are a current degree-seeking graduate student, and before you complete all required coursework.
Application details:
- Application fee: $60 (for both domestic and international students)
- Requirements: Find graduate certificate application requirements here, including a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree. Departments may request additional information; for example, some programs may ask for letters of recommendation.
- English proficiency: international students are required to prove English proficiency by completing the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE, or be waived. The same English proficiency requirements for a degree program apply to a graduate certificate.
Learn more about a specific graduate certificate
To explore specific options:
- Visit the Graduate Programs page.
- Under the search bar, select “Graduate Certificate.”
- Filter by format (online, on-campus, hybrid, CSU Spur) if you’d like.
- Select a program to view details and find the academic contact who can answer your questions.
Department websites provide more in-depth information about curriculum, admissions, and faculty.
What support will you receive?
Graduate certificate students have access to academic advising, library services, wellness and mental health resources, professional development and networking opportunities, accommodations for students with disabilities, and more.
Earning your graduate certificate
To successfully complete a graduate certificate:
- Complete the required coursework (9-15 credits): Courses cannot be transferred from another institution, and course substitutions are not permitted. Graduate certificates offer an academic experience that has a stand-alone professional or marketable value based on the approved curriculum.
- Meet minimum academic standards: your cumulative grade point average (GPA) for graduate certificate coursework must be a minimum of 3.000.
- You must complete all graduate certificate coursework within ten years.
- Earn the required minimum grade in each course, based on student status:
- Current graduate students and admitted certificate students must earn a grade of “C” or better in each course while maintaining the 3.000 GPA.
- Undergraduate students taking graduate-level coursework must earn a grade of “B” or better for the coursework to count and/or transfer toward a graduate certificate and/or a graduate degree program. Learn more about RAMp UP options that allow double-counting coursework as an undergraduate.
- Courses cannot be taken more than twice during the graduate certificate process to enhance your grade for the course or GPA for the overall certificate. The original grade and grades earned in repeated courses are used in calculating grade point averages.
If you need to take a few semesters off during your certificate studies, you will need to reapply for the graduate certificate when you are ready to return. Once the graduate certificate is complete, you will receive an official certificate. All certificates will be titled and recorded as “graduate certificate in (name of certificate program)” on the transcript upon completion of the graduate certificate requirements. Additionally, an official certificate will be printed by the Registrar’s office and mailed to you.
Please note: the graduate certificate does not confer a professional title or designation, and the graduate certificate recipient should not use a professional title or designation for completing the graduate certificate.
Additional Information
How long does it take to earn a graduate certificate?
Generally, a graduate certificate is designed to be completed in as little as two semesters. How quickly you complete it depends on how many credits you enroll in each semester.
How much does it cost?
Tuition varies by program and delivery format (online vs. in-person). For online graduate certificates, visit CSU Online and select the program you are interested in to view the tuition rate. For in-person certificate programs, tuition rates are posted on the Office of Financial Aid website.
CSU undergraduates taking graduate-level courses for a graduate certificate pay the undergraduate tuition rate for those courses.
Can I use courses from a graduate certificate toward a future CSU degree?
Sometimes, depending on the department and program. Check with your degree program to confirm that certificate courses count towards your intended graduate degree or to understand how graduate credentials can help you progress in your graduate education.