Curriculum
Why should I choose Purdue?
The curriculum is designed to provide management techniques in the various subject material, giving you the tools to operate at a higher level. Purdue is a tier-one research university so as you do your research assignments in the various courses, you can "steer" the research topics towards your future goal. Obviously, it will increase your knowledge in that particular area, but the papers will also show future (and current) employers your expertise and dedication in that area.
Is this certificate accredited?
There are two types of accreditation, institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditors, often referred to as "regional" accreditors, examine a college or university as a whole. Purdue University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCA) since 1913. Our most recent accreditation visit was in March of 2010.
The HLC's new Open Pathway for maintaining accreditation seeks to offer greater value to institutions by focusing on both an assurance of quality and an engagement in continuous improvement. Two Assurance Reviews will take place in the ten-year cycle. One in Year 4 through an online reporting system and one in Year 10 that couples the online assurance report with a campus visit. In addition, our campus will complete a Quality Initiative between Years 5 and 9 focused on institutional innovation and improvement suited to our needs and circumstances.
How are the courses delivered?
As a Purdue graduate student you will be taking classes in an online and hybrid environment. Instructors provide the material, lectures, tests and assignments that can be accessed at any time. Your lectures are not time restricted, meaning you don't need to be logged in to preview your course material at a specific time.
All of your course activities, assignments, and exams must be completed by their respective due dates. You will need to view course lectures regularly and attend on-campus courses to keep current. The typical length of our courses are 16-weeks each spring and fall semesters and 8-weeks in the summer.
What computer requirements are needed to take an online course?
Only internet access is needed. Any additional special software needed is provided to you once you are a Purdue student. These include Minitab, Matlab, Adobe Products, etc. Additional resources are also available.
How will I be graded?
Students are graded based on their performance in class. The courses we offer online will have various methods for grading depending on the specific requirements for a given class. Students can expect to experience any combination of homework, graded exam, final project, group work or graded reports. Purdue Grading Scale
How many hours per week should I expect to dedicate to a course?
Plan to spend 8-11 hours per week of study time for each 3 credit-hour course. However, some courses won’t require as much of your time, and others may require more.
How long will it take me to obtain a graduate certificate?
You can complete the certificate in 1-3 years by taking either one or two course(s) per semester. How quickly you complete your certificate depends on you, we have no “set time limits” on your online studies. We will be glad to advise and keep you on track to meet your goals. The Plan of Study outlines the required courses as well as when each course is offered.
Do students in the program work full-time? How manageable is it to juggle family, career, and education?
This program is designed for the full-time working professional student. The majority of students enrolled in the program are full-time employees and full-time students. We realize that professional students juggle many responsibilities. Our program allows students flexibility in registering for courses. Currently, we have students attending full-time; students taking a mixture of one or two courses; and students that fluctuate between full-time and part-time depending on their schedules.
Admission
Are letters of recommendation and statement of purpose essay required for graduate certificate admission?
No, to apply, only a submitted/paid application, a resume, and your official transcripts from every institution attended is needed.
Can I transfer the 12 credit-hours earned in the certificate to the MS in Biotechnology Innovation and Regulatory Science?
Yes, the 12 credit-hours earned in the certificate can transfer into the MS in Biotechnology Innovation and Regulatory Science. You must earn a B or better on your certificate courses. You will have to complete an application portfolio for the MS, which would be separate from the certificate application portfolio.
What if I don’t have a GPA of 3.0 in my Baccalaureate, should I still apply?
Yes, we ask that you let us know so we can determine the best course of action. We understand that you’ve built a successful career as a professional and there may have been special circumstances that affected your GPA. The Admissions Committee may suggest you be admitted conditionally- and we will explain any additional requirements you may need to meet. Your Statement of Purpose Essay is a great place to address any special circumstances surrounding your Baccalaureate GPA, such as a low GPA, and how you plan to convert these experiences into success as a graduate student.
What are the admission term application deadlines?
We have preferred deadlines for each term. We will work with you past the preferred deadline, but we only ask you keep us updated with your status. Contact Us
- Fall - July 1
- Spring - November 1
- Summer - May 1
What happens after I apply?
The admission process starts when all admission requirements have been met. The process may take up to 1-2 weeks, depending on how many applicants are applying.
- Step 1 - Screening: confirming all minimum admission requirements are successfully met
- Step 2 - First Pass: first round of reviews with our department (includes a phone interview)
- Step 3 - Second Pass: remaining department faculty member determines and shares recommendation status to the Graduate School
- Step 4 - Final Recommendation: Graduate School reviews admission materials and determines admission status
- Step 5 - Decision: admission of recommendation determined and shared with the applicant
We will also be with you every step of the way
Weekend Attendance
Weekend Schedule
Students must attend 3 weekends every Fall and Spring semesters (weekend schedule).
Each weekend begins with dinner on Friday evening and a class schedule as follows:
- Class #1: Friday – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Class #2: Saturday 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Depending on which course(s) you are enrolled in will determine whether you need to attend all weekend or just two of the three days.
Room & Board
We have rooms blocked out at the Purdue Student Union and a local hotel, however we do not make the reservations or payments for students. Students are responsible for making their own rooming arrangements for each weekend. If you would like to reserve one of the rooms we have blocked off, please call our office and we will provide you the room reservation code.
Textbooks
Students have the option of purchasing their own textbooks or receiving them from us on your first weekend of each semester. The textbook listing is updated each semester.
Food
Dinner is provided each Friday evening. Breakfast and lunch are provided each Saturday and Sunday. Dinner is on your own Saturday and Sunday. If you have any dietary preferences, be sure to let us know.
Orientation
The first Friday of your first weekend we host an orientation. We will review the different formats used to ensure success as a Purdue student.
What if I have to miss a weekend due to prior commitments?
Attendance at every weekend session is mandatory. Missing a weekend is equal to missing a third of your classes in a normal semester. However, the professors realize that we are educating professional students and sometimes work or personal demands may conflict with the weekend. If circumstances force you to miss any part of a campus weekend, contact your faculty members in advance and work with them to get the information and assignments you need.
Additional Information
Are there any available scholarships for the Graduate Certificate in IT Business Analysis?
The Department of Computer and Information Technology does not offer any scholarships for the graduate certificate. There are a number of financial assistance options to help defray the costs of enrolling in a graduate professional program. These include Stafford loans, graduate PLUS loans, military programs, and loans from private lenders. Through myPurdue, you can monitor your financial aid funding and make sure the proper payments are made in a timely fashion.
Do you assist with job placement?
We work with the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) for any career related services.
What academic resources are available to online students?
The same academic resources are available to both the online and on-campus Purdue students.