GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

In addition to professional development, these programs offer students the chance to experience UNC Kenan-Flagler’s rigorous, no-compromise approach to business education first-hand.

Students in Graduate Certificate programs are held to the same academic standards as our MBA students.

Coursework consists of interactive assignments such as case studies, group projects, video simulations and reading materials that students complete on their own time. Each week, students meet in a webcam-based online classroom to discuss the week’s material with their professors and classmates.

If necessary, students may take time off between courses while completing their certificate program; however, all courses must be completed within 18 months.

Applications for certificate programs are accepted and reviewed four times per year, in January, April, July and October. Visit our Admissions page for current deadlines.

To apply for a Graduate Certificate program, you will need to submit the following items:

Applicants with five or more years of work experience may qualify for a GMAT waiver. To request a waiver or learn more about the GMAT/GRE policy, visit our GMAT/GRE Waiver Policy page.

Total tuition for each certificate (as of the July 2022 – June 2023 academic year) is $24,307.56. Please note that tuition is subject to change each academic year, as approved by the UNC System Board of Governors, and any tuition change is applicable to all enrolled students.

Certificate program students are not eligible for The University of North Carolina System Tuition Waiver Program.

What is a Graduate Certificate?
A Graduate Certificate program is a formal program of courses and other related experiences in a field of specialization.
A certificate is akin to a professional credential, which signifies accomplishment, specialization and achievement in the areas of leadership development, data analytics and decision making, entrepreneurship and strategy or finance.

How does a Graduate Certificate differ from an MBA degree?
While the MBA degree is designed to help students develop core business skills and to become broadly literate in business, a graduate certificate aims to develop specific skills and knowledge in a shorter period of time.

Who are Graduate Certificates for?
Graduate Certificates would be appropriate for professionals across all industries who may have decided an MBA degree is not necessary for professional development.
However, they recognize the credibility and value a Graduate Certificate from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School would lend for potential career advancement by increasing in-depth knowledge of specific business concepts.

What are the requirements for admission?
UNC Kenan-Flagler seeks students whose academic backgrounds, professional experience and leadership abilities meet the rigorous demands of our top-ranked programs¹. We look for candidates with strong professional and academic backgrounds who can thrive in our collaborative, team-based environment.

Is work experience required?
Applicants are required to have a minimum of two years of professional work experience. We value advanced degrees, but they are not a substitute for work experience.

Is an undergraduate degree required?
A bachelor’s degree is required. International candidates must have a college-level education equivalent to an American undergraduate or baccalaureate degree (the same as a first university degree). This is typically a four-year degree.
There are a number of universities around the world that offer three-year undergraduate programs. If you received a bachelor’s degree upon completion of one of these three-year undergraduate programs, you are eligible to apply to our program.

Do I have to take the GMAT?
The Graduate Certificate program testing requirement is based on the applicant’s number of years of professional full-time work experience as a general policy. However, the admissions committee will consider GMAT waiver requests on a case-by-case basis.
An approved waiver request does not guarantee admission to the program. To learn more about waivers, visit our GMAT/GRE Waiver Policy page.

Is financial aid available?
Due to the “non-degree” status of the Graduate Certificate program, federal and state-funded student aid, as well as MBA@UNC fellowships, are not available. For alternate financial aid options, please visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page.

What services and activities are included with a certificate?
The Graduate Certificate programs cover all activities included in MBA@UNC courses, such as asynchronous videos, live class sessions, simulations, group projects and access to faculty and student support.

What services and activities are not included with a certificate?
Graduate Certificate students will not have access to MBA program Summits, career management services or graduation ceremonies.

Will I receive UNC Kenan-Flagler alumni status?
No. UNC Kenan-Flagler alumni status is reserved for graduates of degree programs.

Can I substitute a course that is not listed under each certificate?
No. However, there are multiple courses offered for each Graduate Certificate.

Can these courses count toward an MBA degree?
After a student completes the certificate requirements and earns the certificate and subsequently decides to apply to the MBA degree program, 40 percent of the completed credits will apply towards the degree.
Admissions documents submitted to the Graduate Certificate program can be used to complete the online MBA application.
Details about transferring certificate credits towards the degree and the policy of pre-completion and post-completion credit transfers will be provided by the UNC Kenan-Flagler Registrar. For specific questions, please contact an Admissions Counselor.

Do I have to take courses in a specific order?
Each certificate program has one core, foundational course that must be taken first upon entering the program. From there, certificate program courses are designed to be taken in the order the student chooses to do so with the exception being that some courses may require prerequisite courses before enrollment. If a certificate program student has questions regarding recommended order of courses they may work with the UNC Kenan-Flagler Registrar to determine a course path.

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¹ UNC Kenan-Flagler was ranked #19 by  U.S. News & World Report in the most recent report published in 2022, and its online MBA program is ranked #1 in 2022 (https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill-199120/rankings).arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference