Certificates | Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Excellence

Authorization to Plan

Academic Certificate Programs are a designated set of courses designed to complement a degree program by fostering the development of skills and knowledge in a focused area of study. Read the requirements for certificates.

The President delegated approving authority to the Provost on March 28, 2023: The Provost is the campus authority for ATPs, provisional proposals and termination of certificates.

The first step in creating a certificate program is to consult with OVPAE and then complete the Authorization to Plan (ATP). This brief planning document summarizes the overall purpose and structure of the certificate, and ensures that the necessary consultation between faculty, deans, and administration has taken place. Once the ATP is submitted by the Dean using the appropriate memo template, OVPAE will manage the remainder of the review and approval process. Please be mindful of the various deadlines that may impact the review, approval, and implementation process.

Note: The process to propose a new certificate that is considered standalone or that requires significant resources is the same as proposing a new degree. Standalone certificates are generally those in areas of study for which UH Mānoa does not already have any degrees and which would require predominantly new courses.

Step 1: Unit Consults with OVPAE

Dean and Chair arrange meeting the VPAE and Director of Program Development and Review to discuss planned proposal. Upon successful consultation, email the Authorization to Plan (ATP) document as well as the completed memo created using the memo template to acadpro@hawaii.edu.
OVPAE will manage the remainder of the review and approval process.

Step 2: OVPAE Reviews (including review by Graduate Division or Undergraduate Academic Advisors)

The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Excellence will evaluate the proposal for content and format. For graduate programs, OVPAE will send the proposal to Graduate Division to manage the review process. Graduate Division will send back approved proposals to OVPAE for review and approval.

Step 3: Provost Reviews & Approves

Proposal for Provisional Status

After the authorization to plan (ATP) is approved, the unit drafts the certificate proposal for provisional status. Proposals should be submitted within one year of ATP approval. Once the final proposal is submitted by the Dean using the appropriate memo template, the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Excellence (OVPAE) will manage the remainder of the review and approval process. Please be mindful of the various deadlines that may impact the review, approval, and implementation process.

Step 1: Dean Submits Request Memo and Certificate Proposal

Dean submits the certificate proposal along with the appropriate memo template to the Director of Program Development and Review at the OVPAE via email at acadpro@hawaii.edu. OVPAE will manage the remainder of the review and approval process.

Step 2: OVPAE Reviews (including Graduate Division Review)

The OVPAE will evaluate the certificate proposal for content and format. For graduate certificates, OVPAE will send the proposal to Graduate Division for its review and approval. Graduate Division will return approved proposals to OVPAE or assist in coordinating the Faculty Senate review and approval.

Step 3: Faculty Senate Reviews

Following successful review by OVPAE (and Graduate Division for graduate programs), the proposal will be submitted to the Senate Executive Committee of the Mānoa Faculty Senate (MFS) for review and resolution of approval. For graduate certificates, the chair of the Graduate Council Program Committee will present the proposal to MFS for a resolution of approval. Upon approval, the MFS and/or Graduate Division will send the signed memo, proposal, and approved MFS resolution to the OVPAE for final review and approval.

Step 4: Provost Reviews & Approves

The Provost will evaluate the proposed action and determine if it fits within the institution’s goals and mission. Upon successful review, the Provost will approve the proposal and return to OVPAE for distribution. The Provost has the authority to approve certificate proposals for provisional status (see the routing and delegation guide for current information).

Proposal for Established Status

When the certificate is required to move from provisional to established (2-4 years after approval), the unit will submit the Request for Established Status to OVPAE under the appropriate cover memo. The submission will be reviewed by a committee which will determine whether to move forward to the Provost and President for approval. Please be mindful of the various deadlines that may impact the review, approval, and implementation process.

Step 1: Dean Submits Request Proposal and Memo

Dean submits the Request for Established Status Proposal along with the appropriate memo template to the Director of Program Development and Review at the OVPAE via email at acadpro@hawaii.edu. OVPAE will manage the remainder of the review and approval process.

Step 2: OVPAE Submits for Committee Review

OVPAE submits the proposal for review by a committee which includes representatives from the OVPAE, Council of Academic Advisors or Graduate Division for undergraduate and graduate certificates respectively, and Provost’s Office.