Frequently Asked Questions
The Program
Q: Which Certificate programs are available through the
graduate Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning
(UEP), and who is the contact person for each?
A: There are three Certificate programs available through UEP: Community
Environmental Studies (CES), Management of Community Organizations
(MCO) and Program Evaluation (PGE). The advisor for the CES and MCO
programs is Rusty Russell
at (617) 627-2220 and for PGE the advisor is TBD.
Q: How do I find out what standards and requirements apply
to the Certificate program?
A: Take a look at the UEP
website and the
Graduate Studies website. In addition, you may contact the
appropriate UEP Certificate program advisor.
Q: Can I complete more than one Certificate program?
A: Yes, so long as the requirements for each one are independently
met. For example, you cannot apply one course to more than one program.
Q: Can I transfer from one Certificate program to another?
A: Yes, although you will have to meet the requirements of the program
to which you seek to transfer. If the transfer is between programs
administered by UEP (i.e., CES, MCO and PGE), the transfer can be handled
administratively - that is, without the need to reapply. For transfer to
another Certificate program, please contact that program's administrator.
Applications for Admission
Q: What are the main elements of the application?
They are: the online application form itself; one letter of recommendation
(it can be from anyone, but the most effective tend to be written by
professors or employers who know you and your work well); your undergraduate
transcript(s); a personal statement; a resume; and the fee.
Q: Do I need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)? Even
if I don't, may I submit scores if I want to?
A: GRE scores are not required for any Tufts Certificate program. But
if you do have GRE scores (old or new), they may be submitted as part
of the application package and will be given due consideration.
Q: Is a bachelor's degree required?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I apply on the Web?
A: Yes. You will find the forms you need by visiting the
Embark
Apply Online website and following the links there.
Q: After I've submitted complete application materials, when
will I find out whether I've been admitted?
A: That varies, but we try to provide an answer within two weeks - in
the form of a letter to you from the dean of the Tufts Graduate School
of Arts and Sciences.
Q: When is the application deadline?
A: Students are admitted to the Certificate program on a rolling basis.
However, applications received less than two weeks before the start of
the semester may not be reviewed in time to permit you to enroll directly
at that point. In this situation, we generally recommend that you enroll
in the Tufts Graduate Career Advancement Program (GCAP). GCAP allows you
to take courses for credit on a space-available, non-degree basis. You
could start out in this program and, when you are accepted by the
Certificate program, transfer all GCAP credits that meet the requirements
of your Certificate program.
Q: Can I count courses for the Certificate program that I've
completed prior to entering the program?
A: Yes, you may normally
apply up to two Tufts courses, provided that (i) they've been completed
within two years of the date of your acceptance to the Certificate program;
and (ii) they are listed as electives for the Certificate track you've
chosen (core courses cannot be counted). But, please note that, in this
situation, you as the applicant bear the risk of not being admitted to the
program. Hence, we strongly recommend that you matriculate to the Certificate
program before you enroll in any required courses.
Q: Generally what do you look for in applicants?
A: There's no standard answer, just as there's no standard applicant. Many
qualities are taken into account. But a typical applicant will have a 3.0
or higher undergraduate grade-point average; a strong letter of
recommendation; and a well-written, concise personal statement offering a
persuasive reason for joining the Certificate program.
Q: Can I begin my Certificate program by taking courses during
the summer?
A: Yes, although you should apply and be admitted prior to the date by
which you must register for summer courses. Please visit the
Summer Session's
website for registration details.
Credit Transfer
Q: Will credits I earn in the Certificate program be transferable
to the full-time UEP master's (M.A.) program if I decide to enroll?
A: Credits earned for courses offered by UEP are fully transferable, whether
completed as part of the Certificate program or otherwise. In certain cases,
transfer of credits for Tufts courses taken outside of UEP also may be
approved (e.g., a course offered by another graduate department at Tufts
that directly pertains to a student's core interest at UEP). But no more
than two such non-UEP courses will be approved for transfer to UEP. (Note
that all such courses must be offered by Tufts University.)
Q: Does a limit exist on the number of credits that may be transferred
to the full-time UEP master's program from a certificate program?
A: Yes. Students may transfer up to four full courses (four credits) to the
master's program from a Tufts University certificate program (see the
Tufts
Graduate Student Handbook for full details).
Q. Can I transfer a course from another college or university
into the Certificate program?
A. Transfer of non-Tufts courses is not permitted.
Q: What about transferring Certificate credits to UEP's M.P.P.
program or to another Tufts graduate program?
A: The credits must be acceptable to that program. If a course for which
you're seeking credit transfer is not among those that the program requires,
contact the program to see whether the credits may be transferred. Given that
the M.P.P. program is only a year in duration and is aimed at mid-career
professionals, transfer of certain Certificate program credits may not be
approved.
Q: How do I initiate the credit transfer process?
A: As a current certificate student, you should include the courses you've
taken on your application to the program. The Department Chair will make
the final decision on the request and notify you. Additional information
on course credit transfer can be found in the
Tufts
Graduate Student Handbook.
Q: Will the Certificate program grant credit for courses that
I took as an undergraduate at Tufts?
A: Credit may be given for an undergraduate course if (i) it directly
pertains to the Certificate program in which you plan to enroll; (ii) you
did not need to count it toward your undergraduate degree; and (iii)you
earned at least a B-minus in the course.
Q: Can I earn a Certificate as a Tufts undergraduate?
A: No. You must apply to and enroll in the Certificate program after graduating.
General Requirements
Q: If I enroll in the Certificate program, do I have to take
at least one course each semester?
A: No, but you are expected to complete the entire Certificate program in
four years, over eight semesters.
Q: My Certificate program requires that I complete a core
course. Do I have to take that course first?
A: No. But the order in which you take certain courses may be relevant to
your individual program and your learning experience. Thus, you may wish
to discuss this with your advisor.
Q: One of the courses that I need so that I can complete my
Certificate program has limited enrollment and is full. What should I do?
A: Although waiving an enrollment ceiling is up to the individual instructor,
this is frequently done, especially for compelling reasons. Explain the
problem to the instructor in question. If this does not resolve the issue,
discuss it with your advisor.
Q: Is it possible to complete the program in less than a year?
A: Yes, if the courses that you need are offered. Finishing in one semester
would require you to take a full course load, something that could be
overwhelming if, for instance, you work. Attempting to take even two
courses a semester on top of a full-time job could be quite challenging.
Q: Can I take required courses pass/fail?
A: No.
Q: Do summer courses qualify for Certificate credit?
A: Yes, if they meet other requirements.
Q: In general, what courses count toward my Certificate program?
A: Here are the basic criteria: (i) They must be Tufts courses (those
offered by other colleges and universities, including members of the
consortium of which Tufts is a member, are not eligible; (ii) They must
meet the requirements of your Certificate program (details are discussed
elsewhere here); and (iii) You must achieve a grade of B-minus or higher
(audited courses cannot be counted).
Q: How do I determine whether I have the necessary background
for one or more of the courses I'm interested in taking?
A: You should talk it over with the instructor teaching the course.
Pre-requisites, if required, typically are identified in the course
description. Most of the courses for the Certificates discussed here are
offered by UEP. Contact information for UEP instructors is included with
the course listing at
http://ase.tufts.edu/UEP/Degrees/CourseOfferings.aspx;
summer UEP courses also are listed at:
http://ase.tufts.edu/summer/?Courses=1.
Courses for the Certificate in Program Evaluation (PGE) are offered by a
range of departments; please consult the relevant department's web page
or contact the department for a listing of instructors.
Q: How do I find required and elective courses for the CES,
MCO and PGE Certificate programs?
A: You will find links to summaries of all three programs at:
communityEnvironmental.htm.
Note that, for the CES and MCO programs, all such courses are offered by
UEP. These courses are listed at:
http://ase.tufts.edu/UEP/Degrees/CourseOfferings.aspx,
with summer courses also are listed at:
http://ase.tufts.edu/summer/?Courses=1.
Courses for the Certificate in Program Evaluation are offered by a range
of departments. Please consult the relevant department's web page or
contact that department.
Q: Are any courses at UEP not open to Certificate students?
A: Yes. Foundations of Public Policy and Planning, Field Projects:
Planning and Practice, Reflections on Public Policy and Practice, the
Integrative Seminar, and the Advanced Seminars in Environmental Policy
and Planning, and Urban and Social Policy and Planning may be taken only
by students enrolled in the two-year M.A. program or the one-year M.P.P.
program. A Certificate student may enroll in the Quantitative Reasoning,
and Economics and Public Policy core courses only with the permission of
the instructor and of the Certificate student's advisor.
Q: Can audited courses count toward the Certificate?
A: No, only courses taken for credit at Tufts count.
Q: May a Certificate student audit a course, even though it
does not count toward the Certificate?
A: Yes. The current tuition to audit is $800 per course during the academic
year. For audit fees for summer courses, please contact the
Summer Session.
Q: How do I register for a specific course?
A: Generally, bring your registration form (mailed to you when you are
admitted to the program) to the first meeting of the course you want to take
and ask the instructor to sign it. For the next and subsequent semesters, a
form will be sent to you allowing you to pre-register. The
Summer Session
handles registration for summer courses.
Q: Once I've completed all my credits for the Certificate program,
what do I need to do?
A: You'll find a form on the Tufts Graduate Studies website. Please
download
the form, fill it out and submit it to the Office of Graduate Studies,
Ballou Hall or, if you wish, to your advisor (see above), who will review
and sign it, then forward it to the Office of Graduate Studies. In a few
weeks, the latter will mail you a certificate of graduation.
International Applicants
Q: I'm an international applicant (that is, a non-U.S. citizen
or permanent resident who needs visa assistance from Tufts.) When is the
application deadline?
A: International applicants must apply by September 15 to join the
Certificate program for the spring semester, and by March 15 for the fall
semester. Requests to start the program during the summer session will be
reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Q: As an international applicant, can I seek a scholarship,
fellowship or other type of financial aid from Tufts?
A: Tufts does not award this type of assistance to international students
who are applying to or are already enrolled in the Certificate program.
Financial Aid
Q: Are Certificate students eligible for financial aid?
A: Certificate students may be eligible for federal loan assistance. As
a Certificate student, you are considered a graduate student for the purposes
of the federal Stafford Loan Program and are eligible to borrow up to $20,500
per year, assuming that you are enrolled at least half time (two courses per
semester) and are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. You must complete a
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), listing Tufts as a recipient.
You can apply at
FAFSA's website,
provided that you have a PIN number from the
PIN website. Applicants
not able to file online must complete a FAFSA form, which you may obtain from
the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
Q: Am I eligible for a teaching assistantship (TA) or scholarship
aid as a Certificate student?
A: Tufts does not provide scholarships or offer TA positions to Certificate
students. However, course tuition for the CES, MCO and PGE Certificates is
lower than that for non-Certificate or non-degree courses (see
Student
Handbook for current tuition rates).
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