2011/2012 – 07
PROPOSED MANDATE FOR UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
TITLE: Review of the Process for Establishing Post-Baccalaureate and Post-Masters
Certificates
OBJECTIVE: Post-Baccalaureate and Post-Masters certificates are neither traditional
baccalaureate nor masters degrees nor graduate degrees. The objective of this mandate is
to establish a process for reviewing Post-Baccalaureate and Post-Masters certificates that
protects the professional and academic integrity of such programs and ensures
appropriate communication for Gainful Employment regulations that impact Title IV
financial aid funding.
REASONS FOR PROPOSED MANDATE: It is not clear that the establishment of PostBaccalaureate or Post-Master Certificates receives the same level of scrutiny as the
establishment of new majors and minors. Recently, the federal government has
challenged the academic and professional integrity of some Post-Baccalaureate and PostMasters certificates, thereby resulting in the withdrawal of financial aid from some
students in some Post-Baccalaureate certificate programs. To ensure the academic and
professional integrity of all Post-Baccalaureate and Post-Masters certificates at SJU,
guidelines for such programs should be established. Also, the process for establishing
such programs should be developed, specified and the appropriate venue or mechanism
for communicating the creation of such programs to the appropriate office should be
created.
RECOMMENDED FOR STUDY BY WHICH BODY?
__X__ Faculty Senate:
Academic Policies and Procedures Committee
_____ Faculty Senate:
Faculty Policies and Procedures Committee
_____ College Council:
College of Arts and Sciences
_____ College Council:
Haub School of Business
_____ Standing Committee on Student Affairs, Full-time Undergraduate
_____ Standing Committee on Student Affairs, Part-time Undergraduate/Graduate
_____ Administrative/Staff Council
Signature:
_____________________________ Date:_____________________
Please forward to the Provost who serves as Chair of the University Council, along with
complete documentation to substantiate the need for the proposed mandate.