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Petition for a Certificate

How to Petition for a Certificate

Students can file a petition for a certificate using our online certificate petition form, or they can meet with a counselor to file a certificate petition. Cosumnes River College does not automatically confer certificates because requirements vary from program to program.

Requirements

To petition for a certificate, students must:

Know their catalog year.*
Complete all certificate requirements with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
Complete at least 12 degree-applicable units toward the certificate at Cosumnes River College. (This does not apply to Certificate of Proficiency programs that are less than 12 units.)

* Usually, students follow the current catalog year. However, if you are following certificate requirements from an old catalog, then you must have maintained catalog rights.

Required Documentation

The following must be on file in the Admissions and Records Office for a certificate petition to be processed:

Official transcripts of all coursework completed at colleges outside of the Los Rios Community College District^#
Official copies of AP/IB/CLEP test scores, if applicable
A copy of DD214-military discharge papers, if the veteran desires credit for military units
List of courses in progress if attending another college
Official final transcripts will be required at the end of the semester for the final certificate evaluation
Copy of any required competency tests, if applicable

Students must complete all certificate requirements by the end of the semester in which they petition for a certificate.

^# External coursework may require a petition for course substitution/waiver approval through the department and use towards your program. Please check with your counselor for more information.

Petition Deadlines for 2024-2025

Fall 2024: Friday, October 4, 2024
Spring 2025: Friday, March 7, 2025
Summer 2025: Friday, July 4, 2025

Approval or Denial

Final evaluations begin after final grades are posted at the end of each respective term/semester.

You will be notified via email if your petition is approved or denied.

If denied, then you will be notified of the missing requirements and advised to submit a new petition. If approved, then your certificate will be posted to your transcript within three to four months after the end of the semester.

All certificates will be mailed to the student's address on file. If you need an accommodation to pick up a certificate in person, then contact the Admissions and Records office.

Petition Semester	Petition Deadline	Approval/Denial Date	Mailed or Ready for Pick-Up
Summer	First Friday in July	October-November	December
Fall	First Friday in October	April	May
Spring	First Friday in March	September	October

Need to update your address? Complete the Change of Data form and submit to the Admissions and Records Office.

Catalog Rights

For the purpose of graduating or earning a certificate from any college in the Los Rios Community College District, a student who attends at least one session (whether quarter, semester, or summer) in each calendar year at any California community college, California State University, University of California, or any regionally accredited institution of higher education, may choose to meet the requirements in effect at the Los Rios college from which the student intends to graduate, as follows:

Requirements that were in effect at the time the student was admitted to a Los Rios college
Requirements that were in effect at the time the student originally enrolled in an accredited college
Requirements that were in effect at the intended date of graduation from a Los Rios college

Please note:

A college may authorize or request substitution for discontinued courses.
Students who change their major field of study may be required to complete those requirements for the major in effect at the point of change.
For purposes of this section, "attendance" means taking classes in at least one session (semester or summer session) in each calendar year. Absence for attendance at another regionally accredited institution shall not be considered an interruption in attendance, per Los Rios Policy P-7242: Establishing Catalog Rights.

Certificate Programs

Cosumnes River College offers two types of certificates:

Certificate of Achievement

The Certificate of Achievement certifies that a student has completed all required courses and is prepared to enter the career designated on their certificate. Certificate of Achievement programs are developed to provide vocational training for students who are not necessarily seeking a college degree. Certificates of Achievement require a grade of "C" or better in each course with a minimum of 12 degree-applicable units completed at Cosumnes River College.

Certificate of Proficiency

Certificates of Proficiency are intended to certify that students are prepared to meet specific occupational needs, upgrade skills, or advance in an existing career. Certificates of Proficiency require fewer than 16 units with a grade of "C" or better in each course. At least 12 units toward the degree must be completed at Cosumnes River College. If the certificate requires fewer than 12 units, then students must take the number of units required by the certificate at Cosumnes River College. As long as the units a student takes are degree- or transfer-applicable, they do not necessarily have to be the specific units required for the certificate.

Certificates of Proficiency are not noted on transcripts.