The program responds to changing educational needs, where mid-career advancement or changing career goals demand new knowledge and skills. The commitment for the Post Baccalaureate Diploma comes from the learner. Consequently, the student embarking on such a program will be actively involved, together with faculty advisors, in identifying goals and developing a program of study designed to meet these goals.
Programs consist of third and fourth year courses and possibly some graduate level courses.
A graduate thesis is not required. Programs can be highly interdisciplinary in nature or concentrated in a particular subject area. Special Post Baccalaureate Diploma programs with individual options are available in Community Economic Development, Computing Science, Criminology, Teaching English as a Second Language, Environmental Toxicology, Ethnic and Intercultural Relations, Gerontology, the Humanities, Kinesiology, Public History, Social Policy Issues, and Urban Studies. Post Baccalaureate Diplomas in areas of interest other than the special programs listed above require that students develop and prepare a written program plan with the advisor in the Faculty most closely associated with their goals. Students applying to the University for admission are required to meet undergraduate admission deadlines.