Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Overview

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Interdisciplinary Studies, offered by The School of Professional Studies (SPS), is designed for master’s degree holders who wish to continue their academic journey beyond the master’s level. This program requires specialization in an area but encourages an interdisciplinary approach to skill development, fostering both professional depth and breadth. Students can choose courses from the SPS graduate portfolio, allowing for a customized plan of study that meets their theoretical, research, and practical needs.

Upon admission, students design their study plan with an academic advisor, tailoring their education to their individual goals. The program is particularly suited for working professionals who prefer part-time study, though full-time options are available. Many students enroll to facilitate promotions, professional advancement, intellectual growth, or certification in areas beyond their original fields.

Clark’s CAGS program serves a diverse student body, including professionals from both the public and private sectors who seek to expand their expertise into new areas such as information and strategic communication, public service, project management, leadership, and technology, including cybersecurity, data analytics, artificial intelligence, healthcare technology.

Requirements

Earning the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study:

Seven courses inclusive of the capstone are required for the CAGS. In consultation with their academic advisor, students develop a “Study Plan” that outlines their interests and maps out a series of courses compatible with their interests before they begin their first semester of studies. Students should also share ideas for their Capstone project as part of their initial Study Plan.  Students may update the plan with their advisor, as needed, as their studies progress. 

Seven Courses

Any course offered for graduate credit at SPS may be selected as an option. Students may also choose directed research or independent study as an elective option. Directed research or independent study are courses that students design and complete one-on-one with an instructor. A formal proposal describing the work to be completed, a tentative bibliography and schedule for faculty/student sessions must be submitted at the time of course proposal. 

As coursework progresses, a student’s focus may change. Although seven courses inclusive of the capstone are required for the CAGS, students who shift focus or wish to expand their expertise in an area may register for additional courses upon consultation with and approval from their academic advisor.

The Capstone Project

The Capstone requirement, completed at the end of the program, allows students to apply the knowledge gained from their CAGS courses and prior experience. Students have two options to satisfy their Capstone:

• Research Project: Design and implement a project of educational or professional importance, produce a written report, and present it to the supervising faculty and a panel formed by the faculty.
• Management Consultancy Project: Design and implement a consultancy project with a local private or public organization, produce a written final report, and present it to the client, supervising faculty, and a panel formed by the faculty.

This hands-on experience ensures that students can effectively integrate and apply their learning in real-world contexts.