Laddering is the progression of a student through successive credentials, carrying forward the course credit earned in each preceding credential. Students completing successive credentials through a laddered pathway (e.g., a graduate certificate, then a graduate diploma, and lastly a course-based Master’s) will receive a separate parchment for each credential they complete.
Only approved graduate-level certificates, diplomas, and course-based Master’s degrees can be completed through a laddered pathway. See Graduate-level Certificate/Diploma Programs and Laddered Pathways.
Admission to laddered credentials is competitive. Completion of one credential in a laddered pathway does not guarantee admission to the subsequent credential unless otherwise stipulated. Students are required to apply for admission for each credential in the laddered pathway. This includes paying a non-refundable application fee and admission deposit for each credential. Students are also required to apply to graduate from each credential before admission to their subsequent one can be finalized.
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