Academic Policies: Certificate
Types of Certificates
There are three types of certificate applicants:
- Stand-Alone Applicants: Applicants who intend to attend Binghamton University to earn a certificate, but not a graduate degree
- Add-On Applicants: Applicants who are currently enrolled in OR who are currently applying to a Binghamton University graduate degree program and who are additionally interested in earning a certificate
- Certificate of Completion Applicants: Applicants who are currently enrolled in a Binghamton University graduate degree program and who are specifically interested in earning a certificate of completion in college/university or community college teaching
Certificate program types and admissions requirements are detailed on the Certificate Programs webpage. The application and graduation procedures are different for each type of applicant and are described on the Certificate Programs webpage and below.
Stand-Alone Certificates
Stand-alone certificate applicants submit the stand-alone certificate application online. The student must meet certificate program admission requirements; submit transcripts and any other certificate program-required application materials; and pay the $75 (USD) non-refundable certificate program application fee before the certificate program’s application deadline. Please note that international students who hold, or hope to obtain, F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible to study as stand-alone certificate students. If the student is admitted to the certificate program, they should confirm their intent to enroll at Binghamton University by paying the admission deposit. Visit the Enrollment Intent and Admission Deposit webpage for more information.
The student must submit a Graduate Application for Degree (GAFD) for the certificate by the GAFD deadline in the semester in which they plan to graduate. The department must submit the Recommendation for Award of Certificate Form by the award form deadline. See deadlines.
Please note that admission to or graduation from a certificate program does not guarantee admission to a graduate degree program. A student must complete the graduate degree program application online and then receive a formal admission offer from the graduate degree program. Students who are not also enrolled in a Binghamton University graduate degree program are not eligible for most funding, including graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships or research project assistantships.
Add-On Certificates
Add-on certificate applicants submit the Add-On Certificate Application Form.
If the student is currently enrolled in a graduate degree program, the student must confirm that they meet certificate program admission requirements with the certificate program director and then complete the Add-On Certificate Application Form. The student should return the form via the myBinghamton portal at the Financial Aid and Student Records Documents Submission link by the add/drop deadline in the semester in which they plan to graduate. The student is encouraged, however, to submit the form in earlier semesters. This form serves as record of the student’s request for admission to and enrollment in the certificate program.
The student must submit a Graduate Application for Degree (GAFD) for the certificate by the GAFD deadline in the semester in which they plan to graduate. The student must submit a GAFD that includes each certificate. The department must submit the Recommendation for Award of Certificate Form by the award form deadline. See deadlines.
If the student is currently applying to a graduate degree program, the student should complete the graduate degree program application online. If the student is admitted to the graduate degree program, they should confirm their intent to enroll at Binghamton University by paying the admission deposit. Visit the Enrollment Intent and Admission Deposit webpage for more information. Then, the student should follow the instructions directly above for add-on certificate applicants. Please note that, if the student is not admitted to the graduate degree program, the student may apply only to certain programs as a stand-alone certificate applicant.
Certificates of Completion
Certificate of completion applicants contact the Associate Dean of the Graduate School to express their interest.
When a student has completed the requirements, they submit all documentation to their department. Once their department has confirmed the successful completion of the requirements, the student submits written notification of their completion signed by their graduate director and a copy of their portfolio to the Graduate School with the Certificate of Completion Portfolio Form. The student must also submit the Certificate Processing Fees Form and pay the $100 (USD) certificate processing fee by the certificate processing fee deadline. The student must submit a form and pay a fee for each certificate. This fee can be paid by check or money order made out to the Binghamton University Graduate School. The student's name and B-Number should be on the payment. See deadlines.
