woman on laptop studying for certificate reads over final paper

Guide to online certificate programs

Table of Contents

Why earn an online certificate?

Advancement

Convenience

Flexibility

Length

Online certificates provide an alternative to traditional degree programs. They are often more affordable, but they can offer excellent value by giving you the skills and knowledge that you need to further your career. Certificates can help you to stand out from other job applicants, may help you to pursue a more specialized field and can help you to achieve your career goals.

What are certificates?

According to the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), certificate programs are designed to provide instruction and training in a specialty area of practice or a set of skills. These programs are designed to help you acquire knowledge and skills, and the awarding of a certificate recognizes your understanding of the program’s specific outcomes.

Certificate programs differ from certification programs. According to ICE, certification programs are designed to evaluate your existing knowledge, skills or competencies in a specific area. These programs assess your competencies in these areas, rather than providing the education that helps you to gain those particular skills and talents. Certifications are typically awarded by associations or organizations, while certificates are often awarded by academic institutions.

There are several different types of certificates available:

Professional certificates typically provide specialized training for a certain type of career, like an auto mechanic or healthcare career. Earning a certificate may contribute to your ability to earn a license for your career.

Academic certificates are awarded when you complete a specific academic field of study offered by an institute of higher education.

Skill-based certificates are designed to help you develop the skills and talents necessary for a specific career or trade. Examples might include certificates in data entry, welding, construction and Microsoft Office.

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Benefits of earning a certificate

There are several benefits to earning a certificate:

Unlock career opportunities: An online certificate program can help you to acquire the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a specific career. They can give you up-to-date knowledge to expand your skills that you can apply to your current career or to a career shift.
Gain specialized knowledge and skills: Many fields, like construction, paralegal, dental assisting and marketing, require highly specialized knowledge. Certificate programs focus on these specific key skills, so you can develop the unique talents you need to be successful in your field.
Enhance professional development: They can be an excellent way to focus on your professional development. For example, medical assistants have several tiers of certificates they can earn to advance and enhance their skills. A certificate program can help you to learn more about a topic, or to explore the most updated information and skills, like how to use a new program that’s becoming essential in the industry.
Accelerate entry into the job market: They offer shorter-term paths to employment than traditional four-year online bachelor’s degrees. Many certificate programs can be completed in two years or less, so you can quickly acquire the skills and knowledge needed to get started in your career.

Choosing the right online certificate program

To get the most out of an virtual certificate program, it’s important to choose the program that’s right for you and your career goals. Consider the following when exploring the many programs available:

Assess your goals and objectives: To start, consider why you want to enroll in a certificate program. Are your goals to learn specific skills, prepare for a new career field, advance your current skills or something else? What do you want to get out of the program, and what does the ideal program for you look like?

Research available certificate programs: Start researching the types of available programs that fit your needs. Pay attention to the types of courses included and the topics covered to start to narrow down your options.

Evaluate program accreditation and reputation: Accreditation validates that you will be receiving a quality education, and employers may value certificates from accredited programs more highly than certificates from non-accredited programs. Note that some short term programs, such as certificates and bootcamps, do not hold accreditation and this does not imply lesser quality, however you should still consider other factors such as completion rate. Consider the program’s reputation, too, and look for a program with a reputation for providing a quality education.

Consider the time commitment and financial investment: The cost and completion time for certificate programs vary. Programs may last anywhere from six months to about two years, and they can cost from $1,500 to $30,000 or more. It’s important to make sure that you are prepared for the financial and time investment required.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When choosing and enrolling in an certificate programs online, it’s important to avoid some common mistakes:

Not researching accreditation: A program’s accreditation is a testament to its quality, and employers may want to see that you completed an accredited online certificate program. Always take the time to research a program’s accreditation before enrolling, and if the program is not accredited, dig deeper to find out what the school’s completion rate is as well as job placement services, status of faculty and the school’s reputation.
Choosing the wrong certificate for your career goals: Think carefully about your career goals and the specific types of skills and certificates that will support those goals. You may want to speak with professionals currently working in the field to find out which types of programs they recommend.
Neglecting financial planning: While certificate programs are often less expensive than full degree programs, they still require a significant financial investment. Plan out how you will pay for the program before you enroll.
Underestimating the time commitment: As you consider each program, ask for details on the time commitment, both for the entire program and on a weekly or monthly basis. Evaluate your schedule and make sure that you’ll be able to accommodate that time commitment.

Navigating the application and admissions process

Just like applying to regular online degree programs, you will need to meet specific application requirements to be admitted to an online certificate program. To start, make sure you understand the application requirements.

Requirements will vary by program and school, but may include specific education, a minimum GPA and experience requirements. Some schools require standardized testing scores.

Review the admission criteria, too. You may need to complete an application and submit supporting documents like transcripts, a personal statement, professional recommendations, a resume and an application fee.

Stay mindful of application deadlines. Some schools offer two or three application deadlines per year, but certain online certificate programs might have just one annual deadline. Research these deadlines well in advance and start gathering your essential supporting documents early so that you won’t miss a deadline and delay your program start.

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Unraveling the curriculum and course structure

Examining the individual elements of a program’s curriculum and the online certificate’s course structure can help you to better understand what you’ll study during a program.

Core courses and electives: Most certificate programs are structured so that you will take a minimum number of courses and/or credits. Plan to take at least four courses for a smaller program, and 10 or more courses for a larger, longer program. Depending on the program size, you may be required to take certain core courses. You may also have the ability to choose from several elective courses that let you tailor the course slightly to focus on your interests.
Blended learning or online options: Certificate programs can often be taken entirely online. Self-paced online models provide flexibility ideal for working professionals, but require self-motivation. Some programs blend online and traditional elements like live lectures or group projects, offering more structure and real-time interaction with professors and peers.
Hands-on experience and internships: Depending on the program that you’re pursuing, hands-on experience and internships can be very valuable. For example, a furniture making course might include a component that gives you real experience crafting furniture, complementing the online learning portions. If you’re completing a certificate program to pursue a career in nursing, an internship can give you experience and help you to make connections that might help you to find your first job. Online certificate programs won’t always include hands-on experience or internships, but it’s important to consider whether these elements are important to you.

Financing your online certificate program

Certificate programs online tend to be more affordable than traditional degree programs, but they can still be costly. As you explore programs, contact the admissions and financial aid offices for information on credit costs, fees per class and the total cost of the certificate program.

There are several ways that you can get help paying for your certificate program. If a certificate program is approved by the United States Department of Education, then you may be able to get financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Depending on your financial need, you may qualify for grants and loans that can help to cover the program costs.

You can also apply for community-based scholarships and grants. Your school may also offer scholarship and grant opportunities; contact the financial aid office to find out about the types of aid available.

In some cases, employers may be willing to sponsor your certificate program, since the program can further your education and make you a more valuable employee. Some employers alternatively offer a reimbursement after you have completed the program. Check with your employer about any educational support that they might offer. In most cases, you will need to agree to work for the employer for a certain amount of time after completing the program.

Achieving completion

To earn your online certificate, you will need to complete the program’s requirements. Those requirements often include a passing grade in a certain number or type of courses, as well as any other program elements, like projects or internships.

Once you have earned your certificate, you can request copies of your educational transcripts and academic records. The certificate will be included on these transcripts, and you can show them to potential employers or when applying for future academic programs.

Certificate programs don’t expire, but you may want to continue to take new programs as technology and knowledge advances, or as you continue to work your way up through your career.

Leveraging your certificate for success

Once you’ve earned your certificate, you can maximize its value in several ways. Be sure to update your resume and your LinkedIn profile to include the certificate, demonstrating your advanced education to potential employers.

Networking is also key to success. In addition to online networking through sites like LinkedIn, you can also network in person at events and by keeping in touch with your professors and any connections you made during internships or through volunteer experiences. Engaging with professional associations in your field by becoming a member and attending association events can also help you to forge valuable connections.

Finally, consider exploring further education opportunities to learn new skills and continue to advance your career. Additional education opportunities can build on the skills you learned in your certificate program, making you a more competitive and qualified job candidate.

Success stories

Elijah Meason, CPSW, works in the mental health field and is the founder of Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support Services. He has also earned several online certificates. “The appeal of online certificate programs, for me anyway, is not having to travel back and forth every day,” he explained. “Most of the programs I have completed have either been recommended by colleagues or employers. In fact, in most cases, my employer has actually covered the expenses or at least provided partial reimbursement.” Meason noted that online certificate programs offer several benefits, including their ease of completion. “Moreover, it’s a great way to network and make new connections with others in the field,” he said. “Some of the relationships I formed while taking the course have proved to be quite beneficial.”

Lily Li, Customer Service Manager of Suproto, a CNC machining service provider. While Li has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has been deeply involved in the manufacturing industry, she felt the need to further her knowledge in engineering and turned to online certificate programs. Li earned an online certificate in manufacturing engineering from Clark University.

“The decision was driven by my desire to understand the technical aspects of our services, and to communicate more effectively with our technical team and clients,” Li said of her decision to enroll in the program. The part-time program lasted for two years, and was structured so that working professionals like Li could efficiently manage their time. Li explained that courses were primarily delivered through video lectures, written materials and interactive forums. “Regardless of the constrains of time and place, I can study quietly as long as I have an electronic device,” she said. “Whenever I had questions or needed clarification, I could easily reach out to the instructors via email or through the platform’s messaging system.”

The program allowed Li to advance her professional career while meeting her own personal scheduling needs. “For a mother of two who also juggles a demanding work schedule, a traditional classroom setting wasn’t feasible,” she explained. “Undoubtedly, the certificate added value to my career. It not only expanded my knowledge, but also positioned me as a more well-rounded professional in the eyes of my peers and supervisors.”

“If you’re considering pursuing an online certificate program, ensure it aligns with your career goals,” advised Li. “Research thoroughly, considering the curriculum, faculty and feedback from alumni. Embrace the flexibility it offers, but also be disciplined. The online format requires self-motivation.”

Final say

Online certificate programs offer many benefits. They can help you to acquire skills and knowledge that are essential in your career, so you are able to qualify for opportunities or advance your career. Certificate programs tend to be shorter and more affordable than full degree programs, so they’re often ideal if you’re looking to learn specialized knowledge.

If you’re looking to move into a new career or become a more competitive candidate when you apply to jobs, consider looking into available online certificate programs that can help you to advance. Many certificate programs exist, so if you want to further your education, it’s really just a matter of finding the program that’s right for you.

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