Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Higher Education

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Department of Organizational Leadership
480D Pawley Hall (map)
(248) 370-3070 • Fax (248) 370-4605
www.oakland.edu/edleadership

Coordinator:
Jana Nidiffer
475A Pawley Hall
(248) 370-4204
nidiffer@oakland.edu

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Program description

The Higher Education programs at Oakland University aims to develop transformational leaders who meet professional standards, understand social justice practices and think critically about promoting post-secondary institutions that are optimal sites for teaching and learning. The Post Master’s Certificate (PMC) in Higher Education is designed for current or aspiring administrators who want to update and expand their knowledge of higher education, explore the social justice and transformational potential of colleges and universities, and hone their leadership skills. Graduates of our program will have the tools to enact principles of effective higher education practice through theory, research and practice. Specifically, students will be able to advance their careers toward senior administrative positions in higher education.

Designed for working professionals, the PMC offers a flexible opportunity to learn more about higher education for practitioners in the field and explore possible career options for those not already working in higher education. Our courses are offered in the evenings and may be taken in any sequence to offer you maximum flexibility.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

July 15 for fall semester
November 15 for winter semester
March 15 for summer semester
International applicants

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

Graduate Application Requirements
Additional department application requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed a master’s degree at an accredited college or university and meet Oakland University requirements for post-graduate enrollment.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

Certificate requirements

The Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Higher Education is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 16 credits in an approved program of study. Twelve of the credits are required courses and 4 of the credits are related graduate electives.

Course requirements

a. Core requirements (12 credits)

EL 6500 - Contemporary American Higher Education (4 credits)
EL 6510 - Administering the College or University (4 credits)
EL 6520 - Executive Processes of Leadership and Management (4 credits)

b. Electives (4 credits) - As approved by adviser or program coordinator

Any related master’s or doctoral course as approved by the program coordinator.

Satisfactory academic progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good academic standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

Holding a Graduate Assistantship
Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
Going on a leave of absence
Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information

Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)

Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.