Brown University Diploma Programs: A Comprehensive Overview

Brown University, renowned for its unique Open Curriculum and commitment to academic exploration, offers a diverse range of diploma programs and certificates designed to cater to various academic and professional interests. From traditional undergraduate diplomas to specialized graduate programs and workforce development initiatives, Brown provides pathways for students and professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Undergraduate Diplomas and Certificates

The Brown University Diploma

The Brown University diploma holds significant symbolic value, representing the culmination of undergraduate academic achievement. Key features include:

Language and Design: The diploma is produced entirely in Latin (except for the graduate's name).
Seal and Signatures: It bears the Seal of the Corporation of Brown University in the lower center, along with the signatures of the University President and the Secretary of the Corporation.
Conferral: The diploma is conferred once per year in May at commencement for students enrolled in The College.
Types of Diplomas: For students in the college, there is only one diploma awarded whether AB, ScB, or the Five Year combined Ab-ScB.
Distribution: Diplomas are distributed by the Office of the Registrar on a timeline basis.
Notarization: The Office of the Registrar can notarize a copy of your diploma at no additional charge.
Dimensions: All diplomas currently measure 12.25" x 9.75".
Shipping: Both the physical hardcopy diploma and a diploma case will be shipped to the address supplied by the student in the mandatory Application to Graduate available in Banner web. Diplomas typically start to be sent out within two business weeks of the conferral date and depending on location could take 3-4 weeks to reach their destination, so the address supplied should be one in which someone can physically accept the package once it arrives. Prior to the actual conferral, the Office of the Registrar will send out a final confirmation of the shipping address provided as well as the name to be printed on the diploma.

Undergraduate Certificate Programs

Undergraduate Certificate Programs at Brown University offer degree-seeking students the opportunity to pursue an integrated combination of coursework, co-curricular activities, and experiential learning. These programs enable students to deepen their understanding of a specific area of interest and acquire skills that prepare them for life after Brown.

Flexibility and Integration: Certificates may complement a student's existing concentration or represent an entirely distinct area of interest.
Restrictions: A student's concentration and certificate may not have substantial overlap (each certificate has a list of excluded concentrations). Furthermore, students completing two or more concentrations (or a concurrent degree) may not complete a certificate. A student may not earn more than one certificate. No more than one course may count toward your concentration and the certificate.
Declaration Timeline: Students may declare an Undergraduate Certificate no earlier than the beginning of the fifth semester and no later than the last day of classes of the antepenultimate (typically the sixth) semester. Certificate advisors must approve submitted declarations by the fourth Tuesday of the student’s penultimate (typically seventh) semester. Students must have completed or be enrolled in two courses toward the certificate by the time they declare the certificate.
Declaration Requirements: The certificate declaration must discuss the student's rationale for pursuing the certificate and how they see the relationship between the certificate and the concentration they have declared.
Migration Studies Certificate: As an example, the Migration Studies Certificate promotes a multidisciplinary understanding of migration and the development of a range of methodological skills by linking students to diverse learning resources across departments and centers at Brown, and building community among students and faculty with shared interests in migration, immigration, and the immigrant experience.

Workforce Development Programs at Brown University Health

Brown University Health offers a range of free education and training programs for under- and unemployed adults (18+) seeking entry-level healthcare positions. These programs provide participants with the education and hands-on learning necessary to succeed in various healthcare roles.

Patient Support Specialist Program: This program prepares participants to work as patient services representatives and unit secretaries, covering skills such as customer service, patient conflict resolution, insurance knowledge, and electronic health records. Recruitment is now closed for this program.
Behavioral Health Program: This program prepares its participants with the education and hands-on learning necessary to perform the duties to be qualified for these and similar positions. You will gain practical work experience with in-person training and internship opportunity with local Brown University Health affiliate partners. In addition, you will participate in work-readiness trainings to build employability skills. Recruitment is now closed for this program.
Phlebotomist Program: This program trains students to become phlebotomists, involving classroom training and hands-on experience at a Brown University Health hospital affiliate and clinical rotation. Recruitment is now closed for this program.
Nursing Assistant Program: This program trains students to become nursing assistants, featuring classroom trainings through the Brown University Health Nursing Assistant School, hands-on experience at a Brown University Health hospital, clinical rotations, and a four-week unpaid internship. Recruitment is now open for the Nursing Assistant program. The cohort is scheduled to begin January 2026. All information sessions are held via Zoom.
Medical Assistant Program: In partnership with The Genesis Center or Community College of Rhode Island, this program provides students with practical work experience and networking opportunities, work-readiness training and workshops, classroom and internship training, and more to become Medical assistants.
Sterile Processing Technician Program: This program prepares participants to be sterile processing technicians, who ensure that all surgical instruments and medical equipment are properly cleaned, assembled, sterilized and maintained.

Graduate Programs and Certificates

Brown University offers a variety of graduate programs, including master's and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate programs for professional development. These programs cater to a wide range of disciplines and are designed to advance students' knowledge and skills in their chosen fields.

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Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)

IE Brown Executive MBA: A low-residency program offered jointly with IE Business School in Spain, integrating innovative management skills with the human sciences and practical business studies. The program was ranked 3rd among EMBA programs in the world by The Economist.

Master of Science (ScM) Programs

Healthcare Leadership: A low-residency, 16-month program in the School of Public Health designed for physician leaders and healthcare professionals. The curriculum provides an understanding of the policy, regulations and global forces disrupting the healthcare sector.
Technology Leadership: A low-residency program in the School of Engineering designed for mid-career professionals with a balance of technical expertise and foundational skills in social science and humanities.
Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship (PRIME): A blended-format, 15-month program in the School of Engineering designed for early career professionals looking to understand innovation at the intersection of business and engineering.
Cybersecurity: A fully-online, 18-month degree program in the Department of Computer Science that builds on Brown’s strengths in cybersecurity innovation.

Online Master's Programs

Master of Public Health (MPH): A fully-online program in the School of Public Health, committed to flexibility for non-traditional adult learners, working professionals, and international students.
Master of Biostatistics: A fully-online program in the School of Public Health, committed to bringing a world-class education to a globally diverse student body.
Master's in Business Analytics: Brown University's 16-month, online master's in business analytics transforms driven professionals into analytical leaders who bridge the gap between complex data and strategic decision-making. The program curriculum combines foundational statistical approaches with modern machine learning, visualization tools and emerging generative AI technologies across industries.
Master’s in Data Science: Policy, Governance & Society: A fully-online program from the Data Science Institute that prepares students to be leaders and stewards of their organization's data assets and analytics capabilities.

Certificate in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teaching

An evidence-based training pathway to become a certified MBSR teacher.

Non-Degree Courses

Brown's School of Professional Studies offers a mix of fully-online and blended, flexible, high-impact and innovative non-degree courses for individuals and organizations.

Distance Education

Brown University provides various online degree and certificate programs for students located in other states and territories. The university aims to provide prospective students with the information they need to determine if Brown’s distance education offerings are authorized in their state. Distance Education refers to online degree or certificate programs available to students physically located in other states and territories. It also includes certain educational activities that occur outside of Rhode Island, such as field placements and academic internships.

Collaboration with Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

Brown University maintains a strong relationship with the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), allowing students at each institution to cross-register for classes at no extra cost. This collaboration fosters innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration, providing students with access to the combined resources and faculty of both institutions.

Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program (BRDD)

The BRDD invites students to merge diverse spheres of academic work, leading to both a BFA from RISD, and a Bachelor of Arts (AB) or Bachelor of Science (ScB) degree from Brown.

Cross-Registration

RISD students can elect courses at Brown, and Brown students can register for RISD courses, subject to space availability and permission from the course instructor and the host school’s registrar.

Access to Resources

Students with a RISD ID card have full access to Brown’s research libraries. Grad students may also enroll in courses at Brown at no extra cost and often do research alongside Brown students.

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Joint Projects

RISD and Brown students co-design solar housing, explore STEAM connections and climate change, and tackle other real-world issues.

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