Graduate Studies

Frequently Asked Questions - Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

 
Does earning a post-baccalaureate certificate make me eligible to be licensed to teach in a public school system?

No. Those wishing to gain licensure to teach in a public school system should visit the website at wiu.edu/cpep for information on how to become licensed. 

How do I apply for a post-baccalaureate certificate program?

If you have never applied to the School of Graduate Studies before, you should apply online here. You may apply for the certificate only at this time or if you wish you may apply for both a certificate and a degree program in the same application. Instructions will be provided within the application. Please note that admission into a certificate program does not guarantee admission into a degree program.

If you have already submitted an application to the School of Graduate Studies for a degree program and now wish to ADD a post-baccalaureate certificate, you only need to complete the application for post-baccalaureate certificate . Remember you will do this ONLY if you have already submitted an application and paid the $30 application fee. If you are in doubt, contact the School of Graduate Studies for assistance.

Are students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate certificate program eligible for graduate assistantships and student loans?

Students enrolled solely in a post-baccalaureate certificate program are not eligible for graduate assistantships.  However, if enrolled in a certificate program simultaneously with a degree program, graduate assistantships are an option. (Students accepted into degree programs on a probationary status are not eligible for graduate assistantships while on probation.)

Students enrolled solely in a post-baccalaureate certificate program that is 18 s.h. or longer are eligible for federal financial aid but it only covers courses that are required for the certificate. Since most certificate programs require very few hours, students should be very careful to make sure they will be enrolled in enough hours to be eligible for financial aid (6 hours for part-time aid and 9 hours for full-time aid). Many students find they do not have enough hours for financial aid their last term.

What are the admission requirements for the post-baccalaureate certificate programs?

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency with an overall GPA of 2.75 or last two years’ GPA of 3.0. Some certificates may have additional admission requirements or prerequisites and may require a higher admission GPA. If you do not meet the GPA admission criteria, at the department’s discretion, you may be considered for probationary acceptance.

Applicants applying to a post-baccalaureate certificate must submit an official transcript from each college or university attended. The School of Graduate Studies calculates your cumulative undergraduate GPA based on all hours attempted.

Applicants who attended WIU as an undergraduate or have previously submitted all transcripts to the School of Graduate Studies do not need to request transcripts to be sent from WIU or any institutions where transfer credit was accepted into WIU.

What do I need to do to complete the certificate?

Students must submit the PBC Completion Application when they are nearing completion. Deadlines for submission of the form are:

October 10 - Fall
March 10 - Spring
June 10 - Summer