Who are these programs for?

Either program is ideal for current or future sport practitioners (coaches, administrators) that are looking to build their knowledge and skills. A graduate certificate is a viable stand-alone credential, but is also an ideal add-on to a master’s degree program in teaching, educational administration, counseling, and other fields. If you have been admitted to another graduate degree program at MSU, you can request to cross-enroll in this graduate certificate program by completing the Intent to Enroll Form (no additional application required).

For some students, the graduate certificate program is an ideal post-baccalaureate program as a stepping stone to an advanced graduate degree program. The graduate certificate program has been an ideal pathway for athletes with NCAA eligibility remaining after the completion of their undergraduate degree, as well as graduate transfer athletes.

When do these programs begin?

Once admitted to the program, students may begin the program in any semester (fall, spring, or summer), pending availability of space in coures (please note that some courses fill quickly). Applications are taken on three cycles each year (see details below).

Where do courses take place?

Courses are delivered fully online using a combination of high-quality instructor-created video lectures, readings, and project-based assessments. Although most learning activities are asynchronous, some courses will have a requirement for a synchronous meeting between the instructor and a small group of students (this is done through Zoom).

Should I apply to a graduate certificate or masters degree program?

A graduate certificate program is primarily knowledge-based and does not have requirements for an independent practicum, internship, or capstone project. You can take most of the same courses available to students in the masters degree program, thus the graduate certificate offers a means of increasing competency in specific areas without the depth of practice or total time commitment required for the masters degree.

Can I complete the graduate certificate first, then transfer credits to the master’s degree program?

Yes, this is possible in most circumstances, and with a few caveats. First, a grade of 3.0 or higher in courses from the graduate certificate is required. Second, students from the graduate certificate program must then apply to the master’s degree program and be accepted; admission is typically granted with grades above 3.0. Third, once you are accepted into the master’s degree program, you must request a transfer of these courses into the master’s degree program. MSU currently allows the transfer of up to 9 approved credits into a master’s degree program, meaning that 1 credit would not be transferable. If you plan to transfer, we advise that you complete the application and transfer before completing your graduate certificate program.

If you are uncertain about committing to the full master’s degree program, an alternative route is to apply to the master’s degree program and complete a graduate certificate en route to the master’s degree. This can be done through proper course planning before beginning the master’s degree program. The advantages to this approach are having the choice to pursue a full master’s degree or take an “off-ramp” to a graduate certificate without having to re-apply to a program. A second advantage is that you are eligible for federal student loans in the master’s program, but not the graduate certificate program. The disadvantage of this approach is that the required first course in the master’s degree program does not count towards the graduate certificate program, and thus 3 credits would not be applicable to a graduate certificate.

If you are undecided and need more advice on which pathway is best for you, please contact the program coordinator, Dr. Andy Driska.

Is financial aid available for students in the graduate certificate program?

Unfortunately, no. Federal student aid is not offered to students enrolled in graduate certificate programs.

Are there any required undergraduate courses for admission?

No. We have had students that have performed well with undergraduate degrees in journalism, communications, business, education, and English (to give a few examples). These students have been successful in our courses by their deliberate efforts to reserve the time and effort needed to complete their course learning activities. Typically, the biggest adjustment for some students has been with academic and scientific writing required in our courses, but many students have shown marked improvements in their writing skills while part of the program.

How much instruction is delivered online vs. face-to-face?

All instruction for the courses in the graduate certificate program is delivered fully online. The balance of asynchronous online instruction (self-paced learning with deadlines) and synchronous “virtually present” face-to-face instruction (such as Zoom meetings) varies by instructor and course. Typically, 90-95% of instruction is asynchronous online instruction.

There are occasional opportunities for on-campus, physically-present instruction. On-campus engagement events will be held throughout the year, typically lasting between 2-4 days. These engagement events will provide an opportunity to meet faculty and other students, but will be extracurricular (non-credit). More about these events will be posted in Summer 2022.

How many courses are offered?

The required courses for each graduate certificate program are outlined above. As a student in the graduate certificate program, you are able to take 12 of the 16 total courses offered in our online graduate programs (the remaining courses are reserved for students in our master’s degree program).

Can the courses be taken in any sequence?

The courses may be taken in any sequence. However, some courses fill quickly and may not be available during your semester of enrollment. We advise that you speak to the program coordinator about the timing of your start in the program; if you elect not to enroll in a course in your semester of admission (or if that course is full), you will need to request a deferment of enrollment.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Depending on the courses you select, it can take between 8-20 months. You have 3 years from the semester of enrollment to complete a graduate certificate.