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FAQs
This page addresses those questions that are frequently asked about the TLGC Program (FAQs). It will be updated as more inquires are made.
The FAQs are organized into the following major categories:
- Academics/courses
- Awarding the certificate
- Program financing
Academic and course questions
Is this a formal advanced degree program requiring a person to formally apply to one university for that degree?
Answer: No, this is not a degree granting program. It is a graduate level certificate program requiring the completion of four graduate courses for which a grade of B or better must be earned. The catalog of courses, describing the available courses, is included as part of the web site. Click on the “Course Catalog” button above.
Why is it a certificate program rather than a graduate degree program?
Answer: There are several reasons. First, this is viewed as a “transitional program” for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree program in one of several disciplines who may be considering applying for a graduate degree. Second, it is hoped that the program will attract individuals from “supporting disciplines,” such as information technology, public finance, economics, etc., to consider transferring those skills to the transportation field. Third, applying to take courses as a non-matriculating student is relatively easy as opposed to formally applying to a degree granting program. Thus, this may encourage individuals to “test-the-waters” of a possible change in career focus so that they may eventually apply to a graduate level degree program.
How many courses are required to earn the certificate?
Answer: Four courses are required, with a minimum of two from the set of core courses. Click on the “Certificate Requirements” button above for more details.
Who is offering this graduate level program?
Answer: The program is being led by the Nation’s Regional University Transportation Centers (RUTCs) and their participating consortium partners. It is a “pilot” program that is temporally administered through The Pennsylvania State University (PSU).
Does that mean it is a PSU program?
Answer: No. It is a RUTC program. Please click on the “About the Program” button above for more details. PSU is acting as a temporary administrative home on behalf of the participating universities.
Which universities are participating?
Answer: There are many participating universities from around the country. Please click on the “Program Oversight” button under the “About the Program” tab.
Can other universities participate?
Answer: Yes. Any member of the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) that offers theme-related courses that can be delivered nationally over distance learning media can propose courses to be considered eligible for the program requirements.
Who determines that participation and what criteria are used to do so?
Answer: A curriculum committee composed of senior graduate faculty has been formed to do so. A faculty member from any CUTC university can submit a course for consideration. The course must be theme related, delivered via distance learning media, and available to a national audience.
Can a satisfactorily completed course credits be transferred to a graduate degree program?
Answer: Yes. A student would formally apply to for acceptance to a graduate degree program at a university of his/her choice. Upon acceptance, the student can then request a transfer of credits earned at other universities. The acceptance of these credits would be strictly up to the university administering the graduate degree program.
What qualifications are required for individuals applying for the certificate?
Answer: Anyone holding a bachelor’s degree in one of many disciplines (not only engineering) can apply as a certificate candidate. Graduate students currently enrolled in formal degree programs can apply, too.
Are there exceptions?
Answer: No.
How does a student apply to take an individual course?
Answer: Detailed instructions for applying for each individual course are provided under the course listing in the the course catalog. Click on the “Course Catalog” button above for more details.
Who decides if a student is to be accepted into an individual course?
Answer: The professor teaching the course and the offering university make that determination.
Is it required that students take courses via distance learning?
Answer: No. The program was designed to make it relatively easy to take courses at work or at home, but individuals can also take courses in the classroom.
Can traditional classroom courses be taken and counted towards the certificate?
Answer: Yes. Any theme related graduate courses taken after January 1, 2009 are eligible subject to their approval by the curriculum committee.
Some colleges and universities use a trimester/quarter system, typically requiring 10 weeks for a student to complete a course for credit. Others use a two-semester system, typically requiring 15 weeks to complete a course for credit. How will this program deal with the possibility of those incompatible time schedules? Is there a way to establish some equivalent mechanism for doing so?
Answer: At the current stage of planning it is assumed that “a course” is defined by the offering university. In the basic assumptions noted above, we believe the statement “assume 3 credit hours or equivalent” adequately covers this topic.
What if a student misses a session? Will there be an opportunity for make-up sessions? How it is determined whether or not a student actually participates? What criteria are used to judge the degree of participation?
Answer: Each offering university and instructor will establish their own standards. Those standards already exist and are being used. These will vary from institution to institution.
Some students may be interested in “testing-the- water” by signing up for just one course from the required curriculum. Do students have to commit to taking the full four course requirement, or can they register for just one course at a time?
Answer: One of the objectives of this program is to give the opportunity to potential graduate students who are considering applying for a graduate degree program an opportunity to take graduate level coursework without making a full commitment to a graduate degree program. Thus, no commitment is needed to formally apply to complete the certificate. It is hoped that by “testing the water” a student may be motivated to continue on in pursuit of a graduate degree.
Some universities may require a sequence of courses, such as completion of “Planning 1” before taking “Planning 2.” How is this situation addressed?
Answer: This matter is left to the discretion of the instructor and in accordance with the practices of the offering university.
Faculty who teach the certificate courses might also teach on-site (i.e., resident) students at the participating universities. Assuming such courses can be taught in a distance learning classroom, so that additional students can participate from locations around the country, how many off-site students will be or can be accepted by the instructor?
Answer: This is an important issue, which must be addressed on a continuing basis as the program evolves. The offering university for each course will make the decision on this matter. It will most likely be based upon the number of additional students a professor is willing to accept and the number of unfilled seats available.
Graduate students typically rely upon a faculty member to serve as an advisor. Who will do this, especially since students will be located at many places around the country and not necessarily close to a participating university?
Answer: As the program begins two possible sources for this role are envisioned. The first is a supervisor/mentor who works at the student’s employer. Another is the professor to whom the student applies for admission to his/her course.
How was the curriculum composed of the set of seven core courses and seven electives all with topical outlines, established?
Answer: The curriculum committee, composed of nationally prominent graduate faculty, established this curriculum. It was developed in consultation with the public and private sector leaders who are members of the program’s Advisory Committee.
Does the curriculum require that new courses be developed?
Answer: No. The objective is to use existing courses that are already available and are similar to the generic course outlines for each topic area. In the future it is likely that new courses will be developed.
Is the learning scheme intended to be “synchronous” or “asynchronous?”
Answer: This is up to the individual instructor teaching the course. It is anticipated that both types of learning schemes will be used.
Can courses be applied to APA certification?
Answer: Currently, courses can not be applied toward American Planning Association certification. Please consult with the APA for further information about how courses may be considered toward certification in the future.
Is the program for full-time or part-time students?
Answer: The program is a distance learning certificate program which allows students to take courses on a full-time or part-time basis.
Awarding the Certificate
What is the name of the certificate?
Answer: The Transportation Leadership Graduate Certificate
Who will issue the certificate? How will one receive the certificate?
Answer: At this stage of the pilot program there is no permanent administrative home. However, the Regional University Transportation Centers are in the process of establishing that administrative home base, from where the certificate will be physically issued. It will be issued on behalf of the founding RUTCs and the participating public and private sector supporters.
Why is it considered to be “prestigious?”
Answer: The program is endorsed, promoted, marketed and delivered by some of the most outstanding faculty and universities in the nation. In addition, it is supported and promoted by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The leaders in transportation-related professional associations and private sector companies are also supporting participants.
How does a person apply for the certificate?
Answer: As soon as the permanent administrative home base is established, a clear set of procedures will be made available.
How will that entity know that a person has satisfactorily completed the required courses?
Answer: Each university offering the courses will be asked to submit the official transcript for each student to the organization keeping the permanent records.
Is there a fee for the certificate?
Answer: Yes, a fee will be charged by the administrative home base to cover administrative costs. At this time the amount has not been determined, but it will be commensurate with other professional fees of this type.
What is the process for receiving a certificate after course completion?
Answer: This will be determined after establishment of an administrative home for the graduate certificate program.