What is a Graduate Certificate?
From the ISU Graduate College Handbook:
A graduate certificate provides a mechanism for bestowing formal recognition
of focused graduate study in a specialized area that is less comprehensive
than required for a master's degree. At Iowa State University, a graduate certificate
may be earned either before, after, or concurrently with the master's or doctoral
degree. As such, the standards of admission and the standards to which a certificate
student is held are equivalent to those expected of a master's student.
Candidates for a graduate certificate must be admitted to the desired graduate
certificate program in the Graduate College. All courses for a graduate certificate
must be acceptable for graduate credit and each graduate certificate must require
at least 12 graduate credits. A graduate supervisor will be appointed to oversee
the certification for each student.
The Seed Science and Technology Graduate Certificate offers graduate level study in the science and technology used in the seed industry. This certificate is oriented toward students who want to understand the technical side of this industry so that they can better apply their current knowledge, skills and experience. Topics include seed production and use, plant breeding, and plant biotechnology. The certificate capstone course in Quality, Production and Research Management addresses special aspects of operational management of the technical side of the business.
The Seed Business Management Graduate Certificate offers graduate level study in management and leadership skills. The certificate is geared to enable students to better serve seed and agricultural biotechnology businesses and regulatory agencies, as well as their customers and their stakeholders, in an increasingly complex environment. Students will learn business analysis skills, creation of seed value in market economies, and how to evaluate the impact of government regulation on the delivery of value to customers. The introductory course will introduce certain economic and ethical topics that are useful in the understanding of seed and biotechnology regulation and policy, while regulatory issues will be considered in the capstone course on Seed Trade, Policies and Regulation.
Beyond the Certificate
These certificates can be earned to assist the student in expanding their knowledge and being better prepared to work in a dynamic and technical field. While the certificate represents a commendable goal in itself, interested students may wish to go on to complete the Master of Science in Seed Technology and Business. Both certificate programs are designed to allow students to complete this master's degree by essentially completing both certificates.
Graduate Certificate Requirements
The standards for admission to the certificate program are the same as those required for the Master's Degree in Seed Technology and Business.
Students must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited business, agriculture, or life science program. Other majors will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Admission requires minimum scores:
- Top quartile in an accredited undergraduate program (grade point 3 out of 4, or better).
- GRE (Q): 570 or better and GRE (V): 500 or better; or GMAT: 570 or better
- Some allowance may be made for students based on employment in positions from which promotion to management would be expected. For students whose native language is not English, a minimum score of 230 on the TOEFL exam (electronic- or computer-based) is required.
Admission Procedures
Admission procedures are very similar to those for admission to graduate degree programs. General graduate admissions information can be found at: http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/apply/index.php
Additional information for certificate applicants is located at: http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/publications/gchandbook/appendixd.html. If you are applying for a certificate the Degree entry on the Graduate Admission Evaluation form should be "Certificate" or "CRT".
