Guidelines for Post Baccalaureate Certificates
Guidelines for Post Baccalaureate Certificates
Background
The Louisiana Board of Regents provides authority to McNeese State University to offer the Post Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC). The PBC is considered an undergraduate certificate. The PBC is commonly used as a path for alternate teacher certification or other similar certification and does not require admission to the graduate school. The PBC curriculum usually consists of undergraduate course work. Completion of any certificate does not imply or guarantee subsequent admission to any degree plan.
Definition
An academic offering that is earned after a student has already completed a recognized baccalaureate degree. Commonly used as a path for alternate teacher certification, graduate school admission is usually not required for this undergraduate certificate.
Curriculum
Post Baccalaureate certificate programs have a clear and focused academic topic or competency and meet a clearly defined educational, professional, or State need; or provide a competency in an emerging area of study.
The number of hours in a PBC curriculum typically ranges from 12 - 18 credit hours. To seek approval to offer a PBC, a department must complete the appropriate application available from the University Curriculum Committee (UCC). The application with any supporting documentation must be submitted to the UCC through the appropriate department and college and be approved by both the UCC and Academic Advisory Council.
Once established, any significant change in the core focus or curriculum must be submitted and approved by the UCC and the Academic Advisory Council.
The PBC must have University of Louisiana System and Board of Regents approval prior to being offered. Board approval processes take at least 90 days, and frequently take longer than 90 days.
Admission Requirements
A student must have earned a recognized baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in order to seek admission to a post baccalaureate certificate program. The department in which the certificate curriculum resides may set reasonable admission requirements above those of the University with the approval of the University Curriculum Committee and the Academic Advisory Council.
International students will not be issued an I-20 for admission to PBC certificates.
Duration and Renewal
PBC students must maintain a semester and cumulative average of 2.5 on courses within the program.In order for a student to successfully complete a PBC, the student must complete all required courses and achieve at least a cumulative 2.5 grade point average for the courses required within the certificate program.