Develop a New Stand-Alone Certificate Program 

Stand-Alone certificate programs (in-person or online) are certificates that may be earned and awarded outside of a degree program.

Rutgers University relies on several guiding principles in the development of new academic programs.  We encourage all to review this document prior to developing any program and reaching out to your Provost to discuss any potential overlap and opportunities for collaboration across the institution.

Online Programs
We are all committed to high-quality online programs, and we have expertise in the Office of University Online Education Services (UOES) who can assist you in meeting that goal. If units are proposing an online academic program, they are encouraged to reach out to UOES for consultation and guidance at questions@uoes.rutgers.edu. More detailed information about the different forms of modality can be found on the Academic Program and Organization Approvals FAQ webpage.

Federal Gainful Employment Requirements
Early in the process for a proposed stand-alone certificate, the individual preparing the proposal should contact Jean McDonald-Rash (Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management), for a pre-review to receive notification and guidance concerning current federal Gainful Employment requirements.

Key Steps and Required Approvals

1. Initial Approval by Chancellor-led Unit (CLU): The academic unit must secure initial approval from their CLU. Contact your Provost's Office for guidance.
2. Notice of Intent (NOI): The proposing CLU completes an NOI, and it is sent to all CLUs via the NOI System.
3. Complete and Submit the Request Form to Create a Stand-Alone Certificate Program to your Provost’s Office for final approval before submitting it to the Office of Academic Planning.
4. University Level Review and Approval

   • Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

   • President

   • Board of Governors Committee on Academic and Student Affairs (Information Item)

   • Board of Governors (Information Item)

   • Middle States Commission on Higher Education, if necessary

Upon final approval, the Office of Academic Planning staff will notify relevant institutional stakeholders of the outcome. Academic Planning will manage the registration of the certificate program in the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education’s “Inventory of Program Offerings.”