I am pleased to announce the approval at Governing Council on February 25, 2016 of the Policy on Certificates (For-Credit and Not-For-Credit), effective immediately. This new Policy replaces the Policy on Diploma and Certificate Programs. Materials to support the new policy are now available on the Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs website.

The new Policy is a result of a highly consultative process that grew out of recommendations from the Working Group on Continuing Education. It provides clarity on the characteristics, nomenclature, oversight, and accountability of for-credit and not-for-credit certificates.

Starting in 2016-17, divisions will report for-credit and not-for-credit certificates to the Provost to be included in an annual report to the Committee on Academic Policy and Programs. Not-for-credit certificates offered through the School of Continuing Studies will be reported in the same way. The Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs will be in touch with each division later this spring with the details on what needs to be reported.

The Policy also clarifies that for-credit certificates will undergo periodic reviews. The Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs will be in touch with the Dean’s office to confirm the list of for-credit certificate programs offered through the division and their review schedule.

To support divisions in the creation and delivery of high-quality continuing education, the Working Group on Continuing Education developed Guidelines for Continuing, Professional and Executive Education. Divisions interested in developing a certificate can visit the Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs website or contact:

Jennifer Francisco
Coordinator, Academic Change
Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs
j.francisco@utoronto.ca