Calendar - General Information & Regulations

Graduate Certificate

A Graduate Certificate is awarded by the University upon completion of a Graduate Certificate program taken in conjunction with a master's or doctoral program.

Proposals for Graduate Certificate programs at the University level require Faculty, Senate Graduate and Research Council and Senate approval. Awarding of a Graduate Certificate is recorded on the official University student academic records, and conferred at convocation.

A Graduate Certificate of Participation or Completion is prepared and awarded by the Department/Faculty to acknowledge participation or completion of one or more courses, seminars or workshops. Awarding of a Graduate Certificate of Participation or Completion is not recorded on the official University record and academic transcript.

Proposals for Graduate Certificates of Participation/Completion require Department and Faculty approval and are normally completed in conjunction with a master’s or doctoral program, or non-degree graduate enrolment. All certificates of Participation/ Completion approved by a Department and Faculty must be reported to SGRC for information.

A Graduate Diploma is awarded by the University upon completion of an approved Graduate Diploma program with a minimum of four graduate-level courses.

For direct entry Graduate Diploma programs, the minimum admission requirements are the same as for a master's program, a four-year honours bachelor's degree or equivalent, with an overall 75% average in the last two years. A regular graduate studies application for admission is required.

A Graduate Diploma program may be proposed by one or more departments for collaborative or interdisciplinary type diploma program which is offered in conjunction with a master's or doctoral program. Entry is approved by the Graduate Officer or Director of the Graduate Diploma program and the student’s home Department Graduate Officer and Faculty Associate Dean.

All Graduate Diploma programs require Department, Faculty, Senate Graduate and Research Council and Senate approval, followed by review and approval from the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS).A Graduate Diploma program and qualification is recorded on the official student academic record, and conferred at convocation. Diploma types are defined by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies: http://ocgs.cou.on.ca/_bin/home/bylaws.cfm.