Specialized knowledge and skills are vital for opening new employment opportunities, and Western has responded with new programs of study. The Faculty's Diplomas and Certificates receive full University accreditation and several can be achieved on a part-time basis. Please check with Faculties for individual program requirements.

Students must apply for admission to these programs.

Diplomas are normally post-graduate programs.

The certificate programs listed below may be pursued concurrently with, or subsequent to, the completion of a Bachelor's degree. Please check with Faculties for individual program requirements.

General Definition of Certificates and Diplomas
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.

Application Deadlines for Diploma and Certificate Programs
The application deadline for the Diploma in Accounting and the Diploma in Public Relations is January 15. All other Diploma and Certificate programs offered by Continuing Studies have application deadlines of March 1.