How Interdisciplinary Certificates are Created

Interdisciplinary certificate proposals originate with the Yale faculty, focusing on the creation of new cross-sections at the university. Certificates can provide opportunities to bring disparate elements into focus with a carefully curated and organized collection of courses.  No certificate is a smaller version of a major. 

All proposals must be submitted by the Certificate Director and Certificate Advisory Committee to the Committee on Majors for review and then recommended to the Yale College Faculty for approval. 

Certificate proposals must be submitted to the committee secretary by the end of the fall term to be considered for implementation in the following academic year. 

Successful proposals require:
  • A Certificate Advisory Committee of at least six faculty members who would be among those interacting with and advising students, and who would offer eligible courses. Certificates thus provide the opportunity for ongoing, interdisciplinary conversation amongst faculty from disparate areas of campus.
  • A designated Certificate Director (who may, as appropriate, be an existing DUS).
  • A mission statement or abstract, and a name. Interdisciplinary certificates may not bear the name of an existing major.
  • A list of 12 eligible courses and when they are likely to be offered, as well as a list of recurring events or other one-time opportunities that would be recommended to students pursuing a Certificate.
  • Capstone projects, though appropriate in majors, are not optimal for certificates. Other possibilities, such as attendance at a curated series of talks, workshops, seminars, performances, or other events, or experiential learning such as research, fieldwork, or internships, affiliated with or authorized by the Certificate Advisory Council, may count toward one certificate course credit, and are encouraged.
Proposals for certificates will be subject to the following:
  • At least 5 and no more than 6 course credits.
  • A maximum 2-course credit overlap with the student’s major.
  • A maximum of 4 course credits originating in one department or from other such disciplinary distinctions (areas of study).
  • Graduate and professional school courses may count.
  • All courses must be Yale University courses. Exceptions will be granted to transfer students at the discretion of the Certificate Advisory Committee.
  • Students must declare their intention to earn a Certificate on Yale Hub as early as possible, but at the very latest, by the 15th of January or September in their last semester at Yale.
  • Transcripts will have a notation indicating successful completion of a certificate.

NOTE: Skills-based certificates are typically housed within a department and are most often designed for students majoring in disciplines other than the department supporting the certificate. Proposals for new skills-based certificates should be submitted to the Secretary of the Committee on Majors.