University of North Georgia

Programme overview

This Post-Master's Certificate is an online program structured to be completed in one year. Coursework runs in two consecutive eight-week sessions per semester, cohorts start each fall, and the certificate is accepted as part of the University of North Georgia's online Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Practice. Students in the certificate receive a discount on NISTS Annual Conference registration. For tuition details the programme refers applicants to the Business Office Tuition & Fees page.

What you'll study

The curriculum contains four courses that address the history, populations, pathways, and administrative practices related to transfer in U.S. higher education:

• EDD 7210 Historical and Contemporary Contexts of Community Colleges — development of the transfer function and the role of community colleges; the evolution of transfer as an access mechanism and the contemporary, multi-dimensional context of transfer pathways.
• EDD 7211 Transfer Student Communities — current issues, barriers, and successes for diverse transfer populations, with emphasis on research concerning historically marginalized groups and specific cohorts such as first-generation, low-income, veterans, adult re-entry, and rural students.
• EDD 7212 Dimensions of Transfer: Pathways, Policies, and Practices — traditional and contemporary transfer pathways, and the national, state, and local policies and practices that affect mobility; topics include accreditation, guaranteed admission, associate degree transfer, community college–to–university compacts, and articulation.
• EDD 7213 Program Assessment and Planning — foundational elements of administrative assessment and planning focused on services, practices, and policies for transfer students; common assessment techniques, development of key performance indicators, and crafting program improvement plans.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a master’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) before beginning certificate coursework. The program is offered online only. Application deadline for the fall cohort is August 1.

Career prospects

The certificate prepares experienced educators and institutional staff to take on or strengthen roles related to transfer strategy, student supports, articulation and pathway development, and program assessment within community colleges, four-year institutions, system offices, or transfer-focused initiatives. It also serves as a credentialed bridge into UNG’s Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Practice for those pursuing doctoral study.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The programme page directs students to institutional tuition and fees resources for cost information. Prospective students should investigate campus and system financial aid options, employer tuition benefits, and professional association conference discounts (the certificate includes a discount on NISTS Annual Conference registration) as common funding avenues.