Certificate Program Admission Requirements

A student sitting in class

You're seeking an undergraduate certificate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

The Decision Process

Admission decisions are determined by a committee appointed by the executive director of admissions. Your complete academic profile will be considered for admission.

Core Course Requirements

There are 16 units of academic courses required for admission.

A unit is one year of high school study or a semester/quarter of college coursework.

High School Classes

View the list of Nebraska high school classes that count toward core course requirements.

Ways to Meet Admission Requirements

If you are missing courses required for admission, there are ways to remove the deficiencies before you enroll.

Core Courses

Required academic courses
Category Requirements
English 4 units:
All units must include intensive reading and writing experience.
Mathematics 4 units:
  • 1 unit of Algebra I.
  • 1 unit of Algebra II.
  • 1 unit of Geometry.
  • 1 unit that builds on knowledge and concepts learned in Algebra II.
Natural Sciences 3 units:
At least 2 units must be selected from biology, chemistry, physics and/or earth sciences. 1 of the units must include laboratory instruction.
Social Sciences 3 units:
  • 1 unit drawn from American and/or world history.
  • 1 unit drawn from history, American government and/or geography.
  • 1 unit drawn from any social science discipline.
World Language 2 units:

Both units must be in the same language. Students who are unable to take 2 years of world language in high school may still qualify for admission.

Note: Some University of Nebraska–Lincoln degree programs require the equivalent of 4 years of high school world language in the same language in order to graduate.

View world language requirements by degree.

College-Specific Course Requirements

All colleges at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln require students to meet the minimum core course and performance admission requirements (as listed above).

Some colleges have additional requirements that students must meet to be admitted to their requested college. If you do not meet the following college-specific requirements, you can still be admitted through the Explore Center.

You will be advised by the Explore Center until you meet the college-specific requirements for your desired college. Once you've met your college's requirements, you will have the opportunity to transfer into the college you requested.

Colleges and Programs With Additional Course Requirements

College of Architecture
Architecture course requirements
Category Requirements
Math 4 units:
  • 1 unit of Algebra I.
  • 1 unit of Algebra II.
  • 1 unit of Geometry.
  • 1 unit of Pre-Calc/Trig OR 1 unit of Calc/Advanced Math.
ACT/SAT and Academic Performance
  • ACT composite score of 22 or higher.
  • OR an SAT combined score of 1110 or higher.
  • Graduate in the upper 25% of your high school class.
  • OR have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.2.
Transfer & Readmit Students In addition to the above requirements, must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
College of Business
Business administration course requirements
Category Requirements
Transfer & Readmit Students Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5.
College of Engineering
Engineering course requirements
Category Requirements
First-Year College Students
Math 4 units:
  • 1 unit of Algebra I.
  • 1 unit of Algebra II.
  • 1 unit of Geometry.
  • 1 unit of Pre-Calc/Trig OR 1 unit of Calc/Advanced Math.
Natural Sciences 3 units:
  • 1 unit of chemistry.
  • 1 unit of physics.
  • 1 unit of biology and/or earth sciences.
ACT/SAT and Academic Performance
  • ACT composite score of 24 or higher
  • OR an SAT combined score of 1180 or higher
  • OR 24 ACT math sub-score
  • OR 580 SAT math score
  • OR cumulative high school GPA of 3.5.
Domestic Transfer Students Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
College of Public Affairs & Community Service
Public affairs and community service course requirements
Category Requirements
Transfer & Readmit Students Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Hixson-Lied College of Fine & Performing Arts

Audition and/or Portfolio Requirements

Audition requirements
Category Requirements
Art, Art History: No auditions or special applications. Optional portfolio review for additional scholarships.
Music, Dance: Auditions are required.
Acting Auditions are required.

Johnny Carson School of Theatre & Film audition information.

Entertainment Design and Production Application and portfolio required.

Johnny Carson School of Theatre & Film portfolio information.

BFA in Emerging Media:
Emerging Media Arts 		Application and portfolio required.

Emerging Media Arts application information.

PGA Golf Management
PGA Golf Management Requirements
Category Requirements
PGA Golf Management Students A 12 Handicap is required for students entering into this program. For more information, please view the PGA Program Requirements.
Colleges Without Additional Course Requirements

The colleges below do not have additional requirements beyond core course and performance requirements.

  • College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • College of Education & Human Sciences
  • College of Journalism & Mass Communications

Transcript

You will self-report your academic record when completing your application for admission. Use an unofficial transcript to fill in your information.

Additional Documents

Provide proof of high school graduation or its equivalent, such as a General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

Application Deadlines

  • Summer/Fall: May 1
  • Spring: December 1

Any application received after the published deadline may be placed on a waitlist. The Admissions Committee will prioritize the waitlist based upon candidates that meet Nebraska's assured admission requirements.

Note: There is no guarantee of admission for waitlist applicants.

Application Fee

There is a $45 application fee payable with a credit card or a check. If you participate in the free/reduced lunch program or are a military service member, military spouse or military dependent, you may request to waive this fee on the application. Make the check payable to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and put the applicant's full name on the memo line.

Note: You do not need to pay the $45 admission fee if you have applied for undergraduate admission at UNK or UNO within the last year and submitted an application fee to either of those campuses.

Admissions Committee

Students who do not meet the Board of Regents' assured admission requirements for full admission may be considered on an individual basis. Decisions are based on a holistic review of the applicant's academic performance, allowing the Committee to consider additional indicators of the student's potential for academic success at the University.

Revocation of Admission and/or Degree

Admission to or a degree awarded from the University may be revoked for: Fraud; misrepresentation; violation of university standards in obtaining the degree; serious violation committed by an applicant or student prior to course enrollment, matriculation, or graduation; or other significant infractions endangering the safety and/or well-being of the university community.

Don't Forget

After meeting these requirements, you have to apply for admission and pay the $45 application fee to be considered for admission.