A Certificate should be awarded when the following criteria are met:

1. normally a pre-degree program;
2. normally requiring up to the equivalent of one calendar year or more to complete; and
3. normally consisting of a minimum of 3.0 degree-credit courses, frequently in combination with a certificate-credit component.

A Diploma should be awarded when the following criteria are met:

1. normally a post-degree program;
2. normally requiring the equivalent of one calendar year or more to complete; and
3. normally consisting of a minimum of 5.0 degree-credit courses.