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Graduate - Advanced Certificate Programs

DBU Certificate Programs have been designed to provide additional knowledge and skills for individuals seeking to prepare for new careers, to qualify for promotions, to gain or refine expertise in a particular area of study, to enhance educational or professional credentials, or to pursue a course of study simply for self-enrichment.

The programs are planned with working adults in mind, so courses are scheduled at convenient times and locations, and in cases where a cohort group can be established, courses may be scheduled at the workplace. DBU is an innovative leader in distance education and many courses are available online. See Academic Programs Offered Online for a list of fully online advanced certificate programs.

The curriculum for a certificate program will typically consist of four to eight courses, excluding requisites, in a specified field of study. Each course in a certificate program earns two to three credit hours and may be applied toward an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. Course transfer is limited to one course, in addition to requisites for a required course in a certificate program. Only one course which satisfies graduate degree requirements, including concentrations, may be applied towards a certificate program. Students with an earned degree may only transfer one course towards a certificate program from that degree. Students enrolled in a certificate program are eligible to use University facilities such as the Computer Lab, the Vance Memorial Library, and the John G. Mahler Student Center.

The University has established certain policies as the context through which the academic endeavor will be completed. These policies seek to aid students in their progress toward an academic experience that is both effective and efficient. Students enrolled in certificate programs should become familiar with University policies as stated here, in the Graduate Catalog and in the current online Schedule of Classes information. Students should seek full understanding of, and are responsible for, adherence to all University policies.

Admission Requirements:  Advanced Certificate Programs

  • Completed Certificate Program Application

  • Non-refundable $25 application fee

  • A conferred bachelor’s or master’s degree

  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

  • Letter of Intent (typewritten) stating:
             1) which certificate you would like to earn and why you selected that
                 program
             2) what you personally hope to accomplish during this program
             3) why you have chosen to attend Dallas Baptist University

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA

  • Current professional resume

  • Successful completion of certificate course requisites

  • Evidence of sound moral character and compatibility with DBU’s mission

  • The GRE may be required for some Advanced Certificate programs

Note: Church Membership Requirement (for Admission into Advanced Certificates in Ministry Programs and Advanced Certificate in Counseling Program): Within the last 12 months the applicant must have been an active member of a Christian church that holds Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and who holds solely the Old Testament and the New Testament as sacred Scripture.

All materials submitted will be kept three calendar years from the date of initial receipt. Application materials once submitted, are the property of the University and cannot be returned. 

Students granted admission to DBU Certificate Programs must satisfy the program requirements as listed in the published catalog for the term in which they register for the first course in a certificate program. However, under extenuating circumstances, the dean of the college from which the certificate course is offered may authorize course substitutions. No waiver of the total number of required courses is permitted. 

Requirements for Re-Admission of Former Students

Students previously enrolled and in good standing in the Advanced Certificate program who wish to re-enter DBU after an absence of more than 24 months are required to submit the one-page Application for Re-Admission, new official transcripts from each college or university attended since the last enrollment at DBU, and a current professional resume. An application fee is not required.

Students who have been absent from DBU for over five calendar years must re-submit the full Application for the Advanced Certificate Program, $25 admission application fee, Letter of Intent, new official transcripts from each college or university attended since the last enrollment at DBU, and a current professional resume.

Certificates must be completed within a period of six years. Only students granted admission to the DBU Certificate Program are eligible to be awarded a Certificate of Completion. At the completion of all certificate program course requirements, students are responsible for officially requesting a certificate of completion from the Office of Admissions before the end of the semester in which they complete the courses. If the official request is not made before the end of the semester in which the courses are completed, the completed certificate will be posted in the semester in which the student makes the official request.  Certificate Program completion fee required.

A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required for certificate courses to earn a certificate of completion. Request forms are available at www.dbu.edu/certificates/cert_application. 

Completion of a Dallas Baptist University certificate program will signify that the certificate holder has acquired knowledge and proficiencies in a specialized area of study. The certificate alone does not guarantee a specific level of performance but does signify that the individual has been provided with knowledge and skills that if appropriately applied will produce improved performance. It is important to note that certain professional associations and state agencies often rely on certificates as evidence that an individual is eligible for a specific licensure of position. A DBU certificate does not guarantee licensure, employment, or promotion unless it has been identified as the sole requisite for such. Dallas Baptist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Dallas Baptist University.