Certificate Programs

The University is authorized to award bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees. Selected certificates are approved at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. The University does not award any credential below a bachelor’s degree credential, and any approved undergraduate certificate must be awarded in conjunction with a bachelor's degree

A certificate program is a formal program of courses and other related experiences in a field of specialization. In some disciplines, a certificate is akin to a professional credential, while in others, a certificate is recognition of competence in a given skill, practice, or field of study. Like an academic degree, a certificate program is offered by a host academic school, department, or curriculum and is related to an academic area of study. It carries academic credit. The campus encourages interdisciplinary and interinstitutional certificate programs where appropriate. All certificate programs that award academic credit, regardless of intended audience, are governed within The Graduate School through policies set forth by the Office of the Provost. Additional information and an official listing of current certificate programs are available on The Graduate School's website.

1. How to Apply

1. Apply for admission to graduate certificate programs online.
2. https://applynow.unc.edu/apply/
3. To begin your application, you must first create an account. Use your newly created account to log into the application form.
   1. Start a new application.
   2. Select “Certificate”
   3. Click “Create Application”
   4. Open the application.
   5. In the dropdown box under “Select a Program,” choose the graduate certificate you plan to apply for.
   6. If you claim to be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes, you must fill out an additional form.

2. Residency Requirements

1. Your residency for tuition purposes determines your in-state or out-of-state status and will impact your tuition.
2. If you are claiming North Carolina residency, you will need to submit a residency application with the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS). RDS will provide you with a Residency Certification Number (RCN), which you will enter in your application for registration.
3. Complete your residency application as soon as possible. You do not need to wait until you have registered for a course.
   1. North Carolina residency for tuition purposes is governed by North Carolina state law. More information can be found on the RDS website.
   2. If you have met the eligibility requirements for the certificate program, you will be notified of your acceptance into the program.

3. Application Fee

1. The application fee for current UNC students is $45; the application fee for new students is $90. Please note that a $100 enrollment deposit is required before registering for classes.

4. Employee Waivers

1. Please note that employees of the UNC System must submit the fee waiver prior to submitting the application; we are not able to refund any paid fees. This form is to be used only by full time, permanent employees of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to request a waiver of the Graduate Admission Application fee. This waiver must be submitted to the Graduate School with the signature of a central UNC-CH Human Resources Benefits Representative. (Send form to benefits@unc.edu for approved signature).