Embedded Undergraduate Certificates
Embedded undergraduate certificates provide a unique opportunity to customize your degree!
What is an Embedded Undergraduate Certificate?
With an embedded undergraduate certificate, you can tailor your education to match your passions and career aspirations. It’s a focused credential made up of 4-6 courses (12-18 credits) that you can seamlessly integrate into your degree program. Embedded certificates provide the opportunity to broaden your understanding and promote innovation through interdisciplinary thinking.
Why Choose an Embedded Certificate?
Shape your future, explore new horizons, and stand out
- Customize Your Journey: Explore interdisciplinary topics outside your primary field of study and craft your degree experience.
- Stand out: Differentiate your degree by pursuing knowledge in a topic area that goes beyond your primary area of focus.
- Build Your Network: Meet faculty and collaborate with peers outside of your program – grow your connections.
- Elevate Your Future: gain valuable knowledge and skills to further your plans for future education and/or employment.
Learning Types
Experiential learning can be conceived of in many different ways, with a variety of offerings available on and off campus, inside and outside of the classroom. The definitions of different types of experiential learning are not mutually exclusive, but to help understand the available opportunities, they have been categorized into the following learning types:
Additional Information
Embedded Undergraduate Certificate Requirements
Completing an embedded undergraduate certificate involves a combination of courses (12-18 credits) and, in some cases, non-credit experiences such as workshops or community projects. Be sure to review the specific requirements for the certificate you're interested in to ensure you can meet all of the components before graduation.
Completion of Embedded Certificates
Many embedded certificates are open to all students, regardless of their degree program, while others may be tailored to specific disciplines. Check the details on the Embedded Undergraduate Certificate Page to learn about eligibility requirements for the program you're interested in.
Completing Multiple Certificates
You can complete more than one embedded certificate. However, keep in mind that a single course can only be counted toward one certificate. Plan carefully to ensure you meet the requirements for each certificate you pursue. Also remember that you can use (all but 6 credits) have to be selected as electives/open options or “limited choice option” (for example, if your program indicates that you can choose a course from the following list of 5 courses - if one of those qualifies for the certificate)
No Additional Tuition Fees
There are no extra fees for completing an embedded certificate. Tuition is assessed at the standard rates for the courses you enroll in as part of your degree program.
Apply for an Embedded Undergraduate Certificate
Each certificate has its own application and enrolment process. Details can be found on the specific Certificate Page. We encourage you to discuss your interest with your student advisor or your home department/faculty to ensure it aligns with your academic goals.
Recognition for Completion of an Embedded Undergraduate Certificate
Embedded certificates are awarded when you graduate. Your achievement will be noted on your transcript, and you’ll also receive a digital parchment recognizing your accomplishment in completing the certificate. Note that certificates cannot be added retroactively after you graduate, so make sure all requirements are completed on time.
For Staff + Faculty
For information about creating a new embedded undergraduate certificate or modifying an existing one, please contact the Programs Office in the Office of the Provost at vprovprograms@ualberta.ca.