FAQ
1. Who can complete the Sustainability Certificate?
The cross-curricular study programme is open to all students enrolled at the Otto von Guerricke University.
2. Are there any requirements for admission?
No, there are not.
3. Do I have to apply beforehand?
No, you do not.
4. How many courses do I have to take to complete the certificate?
At least one course must be taken per subject area. A total of at least 20 credit points must be collected.
5. Which courses can I take?
At the beginning of each semester, a catalogue of NAO courses is published in which all courses that are open to the NAO can be viewed. Here you can also find the attribution of the courses to the subject areas.
6. What if I cannot enrol in the courses?
All lecturers voluntarily open their courses to students from other programmes or faculties who wish to complete the NAO - you are free to set a maximum number of these students. Then well-known limiting mechanisms apply. In such a case, alternative courses must be taken. Students who wish to attend a course for the purpose of obtaining the NAO are not entitled to admission, as this is a voluntary and extra-curricular offer.
7. In what time frame do I have to collect the CP?
It is possible to take the modules for the Sustainability Certificate throughout several semesters. It is recommended to complete the Sustainability Certificate in a maximum of three semesters.
8. Is there a final exam?
No, if the required credit points have been collected, the sustainability certificate is considered as passed.
9. Is the NAO graded?
If the courses taken were graded, this grade will also appear on the certificate document. However, no overall grade is calculated.
10. Where and when do I get the certificate?
Once you have accumulated 20 CP, please contact the NAO coordinator (Juliana Hilf).
11. Can the NAO also be completed in English?
If courses from the NAO catalogue are offered in English, they can of course be attended. The content, however, does not focus on one language. So far, there is no separate offer in English.
12. What are the advantages of the NAO for future job applications?
Sustainable development issues are now in demand in every branch of business and research. Whether you want to pursue a career in renewable energy or apply for a corporate social responsibility position, completing our sustainability certificate will allow you to add a clear focus to your studies and distinguish yourself in terms of future career paths.
13. Does the NAO involve costs?
No, if you are regularly enrolled, you will not incur any further costs.
14. Is the NAO for Bachelor and Master students?
Yes, the cross-curricular study programme is aimed at all students and courses are offered at Bachelor's and Master's level. You do not necessarily have to orientate yourself to your own level.
15. Is the NAO visible in the official transcript?
No, the certificate is issued separately and can be attached to the degree certificate when applying for a job.
16. Is there a recommended order of courses to be taken for the NAO?
There are no requirements, but we recommend attending the foundation course first or in parallel with other courses.
17. Who can I contact if I have further questions?
The NAO is organised and implemented by the Chair of Political Science with a Focus on Sustainable Development. The academic director of the programme is Prof. Dr. Michael Böcher. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the contact persons:
Juliana Hilf, M.Sc./M.A.: juliana.hilf@ovgu.de / Tel.: +49 391 67 56673
Lars Berker, M.A.: lars.berker@ovgu.de / Tel.: +49 391 67 56680
18. Can courses that have already been completed before the 2021 semester be credited?
Yes, courses from the summer semester 2020 and winter semester 2020/21 can be credited if they are recognised by the NAO's academic advisory board. Please get in touch with the contact persons.
19. Can courses from my semester abroad be credited?
In principle, only courses that have been catalogued and reviewed by the NAO's scientific advisory board can be credited. Special cases are not excluded, please consult the contact persons.
20. Can I get credit for courses I have taken in the past?
Yes.This requires an individual examination. If you think you covered all courses, apply for the NAO. If you have general questions, contact the coordinators with a specific question and send a transcript.
21. How can I get my certificate?
As soon as you have completed all the required achievements, you can apply for the certificate. You will need proof of your achievements (from your curriculum: official transcript of records / for courses from other subjects: confirmation of module completions). You can find a guideline for this as well as all forms on the homepage in the download area.