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Graduate Certificates

Graduate certificate programs provide a means for UT to respond to emerging needs. Graduate certificate programs provide focused areas of study for students 1) pursuing other academic programs at the master’s or doctoral levels, 2) who have already earned a graduate degree, or 3) who are post-baccalaureate and enrolled solely in a graduate certificate program.

Graduate certificate programs are for-credit programs, based entirely on credit courses, and appear on the academic transcript. Graduate certificate programs are required to have student learning outcomes and an assessment plan reported annually through the university’s adopted process.

About Graduate Certificates

Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Graduate certificate programs require the same curricular approval process as majors and minors. Only those that appear in the Graduate Catalog will be posted to the student’s official transcript. Graduate certificate programs are comprised of approved graduate courses. For any graduate certificate programs, the student must earn all semester credit hours from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

At least three (3) credit hours for the certificate must be earned outside of the requirements of the degree(s) and other certificates.

Since graduate certificates are university credentials, a student must apply through Graduate Admissions to the graduate certificate program. Student must be admitted to the certificate program prior to completing six credit hours toward the certificate. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average once in the program and complete the requirements of the certificate program as stated in the Graduate Catalog to be awarded the graduate certificate.

For those students who are concurrently enrolled in a master or doctorate program, the graduate certificate will be awarded the same semester as the degree. Certificates will be awarded at the normal times when degrees are awarded.

For independent, stand-alone graduate certificates (those when a student is not concurrently enrolled in a Master or doctorate program), the certificate is awarded upon completion of required courses and submission of application for graduation.

The Office of the University Registrar will issue all graduate certificates.

Admission to a Graduate Certificate Program
Graduate School information on how to apply for a graduate certificate program.

Graduate Certificate Course Verification
Graduate School information on how to verify that you have completed the coursework necessary to receive a graduate certificate.

EPC Graduate Certificate Offerings

!! Big things are coming to EPC !!
As of Fall 2023, we are no longer accepting applications to this certificate program.

The graduate certificate in Grief, Loss, and Trauma is intended for currently admitted graduate students wishing to acquire knowledge and develop clinical skills to work with individuals who have experienced or are experiencing grief, loss, or trauma.

Certificate candidates must currently be admitted to a graduate program at the university or hold a terminal degree and be admitted to the graduate school. Course work for the certificate must be completed at the University of Tennessee within a five-year period. A minimum 3.5 GPA must be earned in all certificate courses. An important part of the program is COUN 560 for graduate students who participate as grief facilitators in the Grief Outreach Initiative.

Refer to the Graduate Catalog for a description of the courses. For more detailed information regarding the certificate, please visit Grief, Loss, and Trauma Graduate Certificate

Certificate Coordinator:
Jeff L. Cochran |  jcochr11@utk.edu

Request More Info About the Graduate Certificate in Grief, Loss, & Trauma

Updated 8/25/2023