How to Apply
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the certificate program requires proof of completion of a bachelor’s degree in an environmental, science, natural resources or related degree. Experience in the environmental field may be substituted for students with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field. All applicants should have a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Interested individuals should be prepared to submit a personal statement, a resume identifying educational preparation and work experiences, and official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
Admission to the certificate program does not imply admission to the degree program. Students in the certificate program are classified as non-degree-seeking. Grades earned as a NDS student will go toward the student’s NC State University grade point average. This certificate program does not meet the requirements for a full degree but in some instances successfully completed courses in the certificate can be applied toward a degree.
With proper notification, students are not required to be enrolled continuously. The certificate must be completed within 4 calendar years from the date the student starts the first course. Awarding of the certificate requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better in all of the required courses. All grades earned in courses numbered 400 and above taken towards the certificate program are included in the GPA. The minimum grade received in any course can be no lower than a C-.
Applications are accepted continuously and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis each semester.
How to Apply to the Online Graduate Certificate of Environmental Assessment
Step 1: Apply to the Online Graduate Certificate of Environmental Assessment Program
The Graduate School oversees the application process for each program. The Graduate School has its own criteria for admission in addition to the specific admissions requirements for the Certificate Program. To understand more about the Graduate School admission requirements, visit the Graduate School Support Center. There you will find information regarding frequently asked questions along with Self Service features, Live Chat, and technical support.
To complete and submit your application, visit the online application page (opens in new tab) on the Graduate School website. Please note there is an application fee of $25. You may check the status (opens in new tab) of your application at any time. Applicants should be prepared to submit a personal statement, a resume identifying educational preparation and work experiences, and official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework. International students must include complete transcripts, a degree statement and TOEFL or IELTS scores. All applicants should have a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
Step 2: Register for Classes
We must release your advising hold before you can register for classes. New students should contact Sarah Slover if they have an advising hold. After their first semester, students should contact their advisor. All students will use MyPackPortal to enroll for classes. MyPack portal is also a self-service system for students to update personal or academic information as well as a way to review semester schedules.
Enrollment is controlled by a specific enrollment date and time. You cannot enroll before your enrollment date is assigned. Access will be denied if you try to enroll earlier than the date indicated. You may enroll anytime after your enrollment window opens. Students with past due debts or any “Holds” must be cleared by the Cashier’s Office to enroll. If you enroll late, you may need to calculate and pay your tuition and fees before you can enroll in classes.
Access to MyPack Portal requires a valid Unity/EOS ID and password. Directions for obtaining your Unity ID can be found online.
To register for your classes:
- Log into MyPack Portal with your Unity ID and password.
- Select your Student Homepage.
- Select the "Planning & Enrollment" tile.
- From the left-hand navigation menu, select "Enrollment Wizard."
- You may now proceed to add and drop courses by their class subject, number, and section.
Visit the Certificate of Environmental Assessment page to see course requirements and peruse course descriptions. Should you have any questions or need assistance with determining your course workload, contact Linda Taylor at lr_taylor@ncsu.edu.
Step 3: Pay Your Tuition
All inquiries regarding payments and cost of tuition should be directed to the Cashier’s Office. Please note that your tuition bill must be paid by its due date in order to hold your seat in any classes for which you have registered. Students may pay their tuition online via ePay, or choose one of our other payment options.
Financial aid eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office. We encourage you to contact your financial aid advisor in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Criteria for funding is based on academic merit, demonstrated financial need, and enrollment in multiple Online and Distance Education courses per semester. For additional information, please visit NC State’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website, or call 919.515.2421. NC State also offers a monthly payment plan.
To view current rates for tuition and fees, visit NC State’s Graduate Online and Distance Education Tuition Rates page.
Step 4: Transfer Credits
In order to be accepted, all transfer credits must have been taken no more than four (4) years prior to the completion of your Graduate Certificate in Environmental Assessment.
Only credits taken at NC State can be transferred into a graduate certificate program. You can only transfer up to 6 credits earned before admission into the graduate certificate program.
Coursework
Not ready to enroll in the certificate yet? You can still take classes! Classes taken independent of a certificate or degree program may be used to satisfy continuing education requirements or, if approved, be applied toward a certificate or degree program in the future. Learn how to enroll in individual classes as a Non-Degree Studies (NDS) student.