The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

Students who have obtained the master’s degree may pursue degree programs in several graduate areas of specialization that lead to a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. The emphasis in this program is on the enrichment and advancement of the student’s preparation through research, supervised clinical experience, independent study, or further specialization. While this program is usually terminal, part or all of the credit earned may be used toward the doctorate when applicable.

Each program is planned on an individual basis with an awareness of the student’s objectives and previous preparation, but all programs include a minimum of thirty-two hours of graduate course credit, of which a minimum of twenty must be in 600-level courses. Students are required to have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.000 or better. All graduate-level courses for which a student is enrolled are included in the computation of the student’s academic GPA.

When a student’s area of specialization is different from that in which he or she received the master’s degree, the requirements for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study may total more than thirty-two semester hours beyond the master’s degree. In such an instance the student is expected to complete such courses as are necessary to establish the master’s degree equivalent in the new specialization, in addition to the minimum of thirty-two hours of the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study.

A maximum of six hours of credit may be transferred from another approved institution. However, under special circumstances, wherein certain courses not offered at Springfield College are needed in the student’s program, a maximum of twelve semester hours may be transferred, provided such work is relevant and necessary for the student’s Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program, is completed beyond the master’s degree, and is recommended by the student’s major advisor and approved by the Associate Vice President for Graduate Education and Research.

Time Limits

A time limit of five years from the initial registration within the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program is allowed for the completion of all requirements for the degree. All courses accepted for transfer credit must be completed during the five-year period of the student’s candidacy for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. For additional information regarding time limits, refer to Transfer Credit policies.

All students interested in enrolling in any of the programs leading to the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study at Springfield College must submit a formal application. The application form may be obtained from the Graduate Admissions Office. Admission to some of these programs presupposes experience related to the field of study.

Springfield College offers a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in the following degree programs. Refer to the specific section for more information.

Art Therapy
Athletic Counseling
Educational Administration
Health Education
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Marriage and Family Therapy
Mental Health Counseling
Occupational Therapy
Physical Education
School Guidance Counseling
Special Education
Student Personnel Administration