Student Resources How to Earn a Certificate

How to Earn a Certificate

Choosing to earn a professional certificate has many benefits, including:

• being part of a group of like-minded students with similar interests and goals
• differentiating yourself against competition in the workforce
• the opportunity for advancement in your current job
• establishing yourself as a continuous learner who is open to grow and develop within your profession
• building confidence and overall professional credibility

To earn a certificate, you must successfully complete all required courses and electives with the minimum grade established. In most cases, a grade of C or better is required, but some certificates require a grade of B or better. Please see the individual certificate page for details, or contact the program coordinator for your specific program to confirm the minimum grade requirement.

Getting Started

No application is required to enroll in a certificate course, however we strongly recommend that you apply before completing the third class in your certificate program to let us know that you are committed to completing the program in its entirety.

Courses are offered year-round with varying start dates. Use the suggested course path on the certificate page to guide you.

Enrollment Process

There are four ways to enroll: online, by phone, in-person, or via mail. The process is simple, but for more detailed information, see How to Enroll.

As soon as you complete the enrollment process, you will receive an Enrollment Confirmation email with your course title and description, schedule, location, fee, textbook and UCR NetID information.

• If you are a new student, the confirmation alerts you to watch for an additional email with instructions to create your UCR NetID account prior to the start of your course(s).
• If you are a returning student who already has a UCR NetID, the confirmation verifies your UCR NetID and prompts you to reactivate it, if necessary.

Completion Requirements

In addition to any specific prerequisites required for a certificate, the following are standard requirements across all certificates, unless otherwise noted:

• must have high school degree or equivalent
• all coursework must be completed within five years

Completion Verification Process

This process triggers an audit of your academic record to verify that all requirements to obtain a certificate or credential have been successfully met. Once finalized, your official certificate will be mailed to the address on your student record.  Please allow 3 - 4 weeks for processing. If you have any questions about this procedure, please call Student Services at (951) 827-4105.

Follow the instructions below that correspond with your program to initiate the verification process. 

• Certificate Programs 
  • You will be eligible to request your certificate verification once you have successfully met all of the requirements in your certificate program. To request a verification, complete the form by logging into your student portal, or in person at the Student Services Front Desk, and pay a $75 administrative fee. 
• Credential Programs
  • You will be eligible to request your credential verification once you have successfully met all of the requirements in your credential program. To request a verification, complete the form by logging into your student portal, or in person at the Student Services Front Desk, and pay a $75 administrative fee.