The Goodwin-Niering Center Certificate Program is a selective program with 10 to 12 students admitted each year.  A unique aspect of the program is that it is designed to foster a peer-to-peer learning situation where sophomores, juniors and seniors interact in seminars.

Freshmen students who are interested in the Certificate Program should attend a Freshmen Open House in April of their freshman year to learn more about the program by speaking with current Center students and faculty.  Sophomores should attend an informational session held in late September of their sophomore year.  For more information, please contact the Goodwin-Niering Center at extension 5417 or 5217. 

Students apply to the Certificate Program in the first semester of their sophomore year, with a specifically defined environmental focus in mind.  Students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Under unusual circumstances, a student with a strong proposal but a low GPA (minimum 2.8) might be accepted into the program on a conditional basis. A 3.0 GPA must be achieved no later than the end of the junior year in order for the student to continue in the program. For more information see our 2018 2019 GNCE Student Handbook.

Application Steps

  1. Attend a Certificate Program open house or information session hosted by the Goodwin-Niering Center
  2. Goodwin-Niering Center Preliminary Application form that describes the environmental interest you wish to pursue in the Certificate Program
  3. Meet with the GNCE Associate Director to discuss your interests and be matched with Center faculty and student advisers for the application process
  4. Meet with advisers to focus ideas for the senior project, internship and supporting courses
  5. Complete the Certificate Program application package (due in October of your sophomore year)