The graduate school announced the addition of certificate programs, each about 15 credit hours and offered on both campus and online through distance education.
A new registration system has been created, in addition to the new course offerings, to streamline the application process and help enrollment in the new certificates easier for students.
The costs of enrollment in the certificate programs are equal to that of any masters or PhD level program.
Lian Lynch, the assistant registrar at the graduate school has handled the influx of new applications.
“We’ve had graduate certificates several years now and we’re ramping up the number because departments are becoming more interested in them,” Lynch said. “It used to be that students [in the programs] had non-degree status but now they are treated as regular graduate students.”
Currently there are 18 graduate programs, spanning across several departments, ranging from the most popular (counselor education) to other technology oriented programs, such as geographic information systems (GIS).
“There are two main different types [of programs]. We are offering traditional masters, PhD’s etc., and now the certificates are in addition to other programs we offer,” Lynch said. “They are a way for students who don’t necessarily want to obtain a degree but still attain certification for different items.”
Hugh Devine, the director of the GIS program commented on the already apparent advantages of the new certificate program.
“First, it lets people in place in their current jobs, or very quickly from their current job get a new credential and increase their skills to move up,” Devine said. “Secondly, we define the certificate as an applications credential so you’re primarily learning to use a tool set to apply to wherever you are, but it also sets you up if you want to go further you can get full credit for the courses if you decide to matriculate into a professional masters, so it gives you a starting point to decide if you want to go further.”
The programs are designed to deliver a condensed curriculum that equips students with skills they need compete in the constantly changing job market.
“I’ve been at this for probably 25 years, and the student demand as well as the job market for these kind of folks — we’re responding to that,” Devine said. “The department of labor has indicated that the GIS skills are crucial for the technology sector of the economy and the industry is estimating a need for 3,000-5,000 people a year and there aren’t nearly that many in the pipeline.”
Will Hinkle, a graduate student in International Studies commented on the new programs.
“It’s really exciting that N.C. State is taking steps to expand opportunities beyond a normal graduate program, and its great that the programs themselves are so diverse,” Hinkle said. “I also think that it’s very student friendly that the university is no longer treating participants as non-degree students but rather as full fledged grad students.”
