Certificate programs offer a flexible, focused, and often more affordable way for individuals to gain specialized skills and knowledge without committing to a full degree program. Whether you’re a recent high school graduate looking to supplement your education, a working professional seeking career advancement, or someone wanting to switch industries, certificate programs provide valuable credentials in a relatively short time frame.
Keep reading to learn what certificate programs are, their benefits, and how to choose the right one to meet your personal and professional goals.
What Is a Certificate Program?
Certificate programs are courses or vocational training provided by colleges or professional associations that last less than two years, and typically just six to nine months. They can prepare you for immediate placement in trade, technical, and vocational careers.
Trade schools prepare you for jobs such as welder, electrician, and cosmetologist. Vocational schools focus on in-demand jobs that can be trained in two years or less, such as working as a paralegal or a dental hygienist. Technical schools teach skills for one trade and typically involve an apprenticeship. Programs include HVAC, auto repair, and some nursing certifications.
“Certifications” are the outcome of certain certificate programs to prove successful mastery of the program. Exams are officiated by state or authorized organizations, and formal licenses, diplomas, or certificates are awarded on completion. Certificates can also be career training programs for bachelor’s degree holders to expand a student’s expertise without earning a degree. For instance, a marketing professional can enroll in a social media marketing course, a niche area of marketing, to broaden their skillset.
Certificate Programs vs College Degrees
Certificate programs and college degrees differ in curriculum, program length, cost, and program outcome.
Curriculum. Colleges require a general education curriculum, whereas certificates teach only the skills for a trade or subject. No academic courses, such as humanities, are included in the training.
Length. Certificate programs are shorter. College degrees are a minimum of two to four years for full-time students. Certifications can sometimes be just one month, but are typically three to four months for one-off courses. Training programs for certifications are usually one to two years.
Cost. A college education has a substantial price tag. The average college tuition in 2024 costs $38,270 per student per year, according to the Education Data Initiative, compared to certificate programs that can range from $1,000 to $5,000 (though some may be more expensive).
Program outcome. Finally, program outcomes differ. Certificates train students for a specific skill and immediate placement in careers with those skills. College programs provide an extensive and expansive education that can provide opportunities in multiple disciplines within a field. For instance, someone who earns a bachelor’s in economics can enter finance analytics, business consulting, and various disciplines in finance-related fields.
Recommended: A Guide to Choosing the Right College Major
How Long Are Certificate Programs?
Certificate programs can range from a few weeks to two years. San Diego University’s paralegal program can take four to eight months to complete in-person, for example. A cosmetology program at Fullerton College in California requires 1600 hours at a student’s own pace — so the program length depends on you and the field you are planning on studying.
Types of Certificate Programs
The two most common types of certification programs are undergraduate and graduate. They follow compulsory education, and outside of a degree, provide education needed for specific fields such as business, administration, and healthcare.
Undergraduate
Undergrad programs build technical skills and subject mastery via career training programs or one-off courses. Enrollees usually must have a high school diploma for certain courses. They can often be completed in one academic year or less.
Some programs, such as cosmetology, award a license at the end of the program. Ensure your program is formally accredited by the state or professional organization and will prepare you for required licensing exams.
Graduate
Graduate courses enhance a college degree. Students test and earn a certificate to satisfy course completion without earning a degree. Some courses require prior knowledge of a topic. For example, students employed in computer engineering can earn a certificate in a new computer language.
They are offered by universities and colleges, and programs are credit-based. Some programs’ credits can be transferred to other colleges.
Online Certificate Programs
Online certificate programs offer multiple advantages, with convenience being at the top of the list. The online universe has a library of extensive certificate programs, and prestigious courses are accessible to everyday learners. For example, eCornell has a large library of graduate courses. Also, MOOCs (massive open online courses) offer free and paid programs from universities, nonprofits, and for-profit companies.
Online courses also offer flexibility. Asynchronous courses, those that don’t have a specific meeting time, allow students to take a course at their own pace. You can access pre-recorded content anytime and follow class discussion on comment boards. On the other hand, synchronous online programs are more restricted to a schedule. They work like in-person courses where students attend live online lectures, meet due dates, and engage in online class activities.
Finally, online courses may be less expensive than in-person ones. Cutting the commute and certain campus fees can result in cheaper overall prices than in-person learning.
Not all certificate programs offer online learning, however. Hands-on vocations, such as landscaping, plumbing, and electrical engineering, often require apprenticeships to demonstrate material understanding and to meet minimum requirements.
Is a Certificate Program Right for You?
Certificate programs might be a good fit for someone who wants to try a trade career. They are an affordable way to test out vocations without incurring student debt. And college credits from some courses can be put toward a formal college degree if you decide to pursue a bachelor’s.
If you want to learn a new skill for work, graduate certificate courses are one alternative to a master’s or professional degree. For instance, some companies will pay employees to get a Project Manager Professional (PMP) certificate to better equip their employees and improve workforce productivity.
Certificate programs are a great way to kick-start a career change. Some popular certificate programs for career changes include business analysis, law, human resources, and accounting. They are offered by professional organizations, such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for accounting.
|
Program Type |
Certificate Programs |
Certification Programs |
College Degrees |
|
What do you gain? |
Add skills with specific courses for your current job |
Fast-track into trade careers or career advancement |
Gain career opportunities not limited to trade vocations |
|
How long do you study? |
Programs last a few weeks to a few months |
Programs last a few months and up to two years |
Programs for full-time students last two to four years |
|
How many credits are programs? |
15-30 credits, though requirements may vary |
4-30 credits, requirements may vary |
60 for associate, 120-130 for bachelor’s, and 30-60 credits for graduate programs |
|
This program is good for… |
Kick-starting a career change; adding skills to your existing job |
Starting a new career (usually in trade vocations); advancing careers into management |
Starting a new career or changing a career |
Benefits of a Certificate Program
Certificates can propel students directly into the workforce with on-demand skills. According to a Georgetown University study, nearly all certificates (94%) are awarded in career-oriented fields.
Future success in earnings depends on the trade field you choose. For instance, the median earnings for a dental hygienist were $87,530 per year in 2023 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In comparison, the median wage for cosmetologists was $35,080 in 2023 according to the BLS.
Certificates can also complement a college degree or help a professional acquire skills to advance upward within a field. A marketing professional can expand his or her skillset with an InDesign certificate — often a skill needed for content marketers. And it pays to learn. A total of 77% of Coursera students reported career benefits, such as promotions, raises, and career changes.
Certificate programs also can save time and money. Programs are fewer credits than full degrees and are shorter in length, so cost substantially less than a degree.
Drawbacks of a Certificate Program
Certificates alone can increase income value modestly — and the gains can be diminished in a rapidly evolving workplace. Some studies even show negative returns for certificate holders without a college degree, according to the nonprofit New America.
One BLS report shows bachelor’s degree holders earn median weekly earnings of $1,541, while “some college or associate degree” earners make $1,057 per week on average.
Furthermore, more vocations require a college degree. According to BLS, a bachelor’s degree is required for 174 occupations while an associate degree or a postsecondary nondegree award is required for only 99 occupations.
While certificate programs equip you with skills to land an entry level job after a short time, it may not pay off in the long run.
What to Look for in a Certificate Program
Evaluate programs by accreditation. Quality courses are accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. They might also be verified by certifying bodies within that industry, such as HRCI for Professional Human Resources certification.
Determine flexibility. Some learners might benefit more from in-person courses, while an online course can give busy learners an opportunity to gain valuable expertise and skills. Furthermore, an asynchronous program can provide further flexibility for students who have unpredictable schedules.
Look out for for-profit institutions. For-profits are often synonymous with poor training for exorbitant costs. In short, it can be a scam. The College Scorecard is a government tool that can tell you whether your school is for-profit. On your school’s page, you will see its designation, such as “Private For Profit.”
What Certificate Programs Are in Demand in 2024?
There’s no shortage of demand for certificate programs. The National Center for Education Statistics says the number of certificates awarded increased from 53% to 70% from 2011-12 to 2021-22.
Top certification categories in demand in 2024, according to the International Association of Career Coaches, include:
• Information Systems and Cybersecurity ($73K to $123K average salary)
• Project Management ($99K to $122K average salary)
• Healthcare ($41K to $203K average salary)
• Finance and Accounting ($72K to $111K average salary)
• Human Resources ($65K to $128K average salary)
The top paying certifications include:
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: $203K
• Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer: $129K
• Global Professional in Human Resources: $128K
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect: $123K
• Chartered Financial Analyst: $104K
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality: $100K
Coursera’s top 10 courses with professional certification include Google Data Analytics, Google Project Design, Google UX Design, IBM Data Analytics, Google IT Support, Meta Marketing Analytics, IBM Cybersecurity Analyst, IBM Data Science, IBM Data Analyst Capstone Project, and International Business Essentials Specialization.
How to Pay for Certificate Programs
When deciding how to pay for certificate programs, it’s important to explore all your options. Some might include savings, student loans, and other forms of financial aid.
To get a student loan for a certificate program, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The FAFSA will tell you what you qualify for, including federal student loans, grants, and scholarships.
You can also look into private student loans. Private student loans are given by banks, credit unions, and online lenders. While they don’t offer the same benefits and protections as federal student loans, they can be a good option for students who need funding to pay for their certificate program.
Recommended: Guide to Student Loans for Certificate Programs
The Takeaway
Certificate programs can start, enhance, or change careers for learners. They can prepare students for immediate placement in a specific trade without a college degree. They can also boost your career by providing specialized skills, enhancing your qualifications, and demonstrating expertise to employers.
Certificate programs are less expensive and shorter in duration than college degrees. To pay for a certificate program, you can look into employer assistance programs, use cash savings, or rely on federal or private student loans.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
What does a certificate program mean?
A certificate program is a short-term educational course designed to provide specialized skills or knowledge in a certain field. It typically takes a few months to two years and is aimed at enhancing career opportunities, professional development, or gaining expertise in a particular subject.
Is a certificate program worth taking?
A certificate program can be valuable for gaining specialized knowledge quickly and affordably. However, it’s important to consider the program’s relevance to your field and potential return on investment.
What are the benefits of attending a certificate program?
Attending a certificate program offers three key benefits: It provides specialized skills and knowledge in a short time, enhances your qualifications to improve job prospects, and offers a flexible, cost-effective alternative to a degree, allowing you to advance your career or switch fields efficiently.
Photo credit: iStock/PeopleImages
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