What Graduate Certificate Programs are offered at JSU?

There are 5 Graduate Certificate Programs.  All programs are federal financial aid eligible, at this time, with the exception of Nursing Education.

1. Emergency Management: A graduate certificate in Emergency Management is available for non –degree students who wish to specialize in the area of Emergency Management.  Upon satisfactorily completing the requirements of the graduate certificate, an entry will be made on the student’s transcript.  A student who completes the graduate certificate in Emergency Management may apply for 15 hours of earned credit towards the MS with a major in Emergency Management. 
2. Environmental Science Management: A graduate certificate in Environmental Science Management is available for non-degree students who wish to specialize in the area of environmental science management.  Upon satisfactorily completing the requirements of a graduate certificate, an entry will be made on the student’s transcript. 
3. Geographical Information Systems (formerly Spatial Analysis): A graduate certificate in geographical information systems is available for non-degree students who wish to specialize in the area of geographical information systems.  Upon satisfactorily completing the requirements of a graduate certificate, an entry will be made on the student’s transcript. 
4. Nursing Education: The graduate certificate program in nursing education is designed to prepare nurses to teach in nursing and health professional programs, health care institutions and agencies, and in the community.  The certificate provides nurses with essential knowledge and skills about teaching, program development, evaluation, clinical instruction, and other aspects of the educational process in nursing.  At the conclusion of the program, graduates receive a certificate acknowledging successful completion.
5. Sport Management: A graduate certificate (not a teacher certification program) in sport management is available for non-degree students who wish to specialize in the area of sport management.  Upon satisfactorily completing the requirements of the graduate certificate, an entry will be made on the student’s transcript.  A student who completes the graduate certificate in sport management may apply the 15 credit hours toward the MS in Sport Management.  

How much will a JSU Graduate Certificate Program cost me?

Tuition and fee costs are per credit hour based on the approved amounts set forth by the JSU Board of Trustees.  Books and supplies are estimated on the amounts based on the average cost of $150.00 per class.  Room and board costs are estimated based on the average rates of JSU Housing and required meal plan.

For 2012-2013, tuition and fee rates are dependent upon the type of class a student enrolls and residence per credit hour. A JSU Graduate Admissions Application Fee in the amount of $30 is charged upon application.

Tuition rates are listed below:

Traditional class, in-state student = $349 per credit hour

Traditional class, out-of-state student = $698 per credit hour

Distance Learning, all students = $439 per credit hour

JSU Graduate Certificate Students are eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans (2011-2012 Graduate Certificate Students were eligible for Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford loans.) and Graduate PLUS Loans*, private education loans and Jacksonville State University’s Payment Plan.

 *Nursing Education students are not eligible for Federal Direct Stafford or Graduate PLUS Loans.

 21 percent of 2011-2012 certificate completers used loans to finance their education.  The median debt for program completers:

How long will it take me to complete the JSU Graduate Certificate Program?

These programs are designed to take 12 months to complete (6 – 9 credit hours per semester for 1 academic year/3 semesters.)  The actual number of months is dependent upon the number of classes a student enrolls and successfully completes per semester.

What types of jobs might I be eligible to apply for?

Will I be able to pay back my student loans?

The percentages below are based on students in repayment who are not in default or have student loans for their programs in deferment, forbearance, in grace, in origination or have not gone into repayment of a Federal Student Loan.