What are Certificate Programs?

Certificate programs allow individuals to pursue certain careers even without college or graduate degrees.

Students may decide to pursue certificate programs in different fields, industries and academic areas. These certificates are usually offered to individuals who did not get the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree or for those who have undergraduate degrees. Through certification, you can look forward to getting a job without much difficulty.

Requirements for Certification Programs

Certificate schools offer undergraduate students certification in skilled crafts, academic disciplines and other professions. You can obtain an accounting certification as well as programs in office management, HVAC repair, dental and medical assisting. Basic requirements include high school diploma and General Educational Development test results. Certain institutions may demand additional prerequisites which include fundamental skills in English and Mathematics or competency in technology. Possible course requirements in accounting are Federal Taxation; Financial, Intermediate and Managerial Accounting; and related electives. Majority of certificate programs will require you to enroll in three up to nine subjects. The length of time in earning the certificate depends on the program and learning format. You have the option of traditional campus education or online certificate programs. Medical assistants can enroll in medical coding or billing which lasts from several weeks to a couple of months.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements vary depending on the policies of colleges or universities. It also depends on the program of your choice. There are certificate schools that require applicants to have some awareness about the subject prior to enrollment. Trade institutes prescribe this particularly for students who are about to embark on a new career or shift to another occupation. For graduate programs, prerequisites include either a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Certificate programs are available for almost all fields of specialization. The most common are business, health care and technology. Certain programs simply provide certificates which are ideal for students who prefer to change careers. However, other programs extend college credits for every module that you complete. It can eventually lead to an associate or bachelor’s degree and can be taken on a part-time arrangement or through online college classes.

Program Prerequisites for Graduate Students

Graduate certificates are meant for individuals who have already obtained undergraduate degrees. These are normally offered for both professional and academic fields of specialization. This certificate program is not the same as any graduate degree. Nonetheless, it is intended to show that the student was able to achieve expertise in a particular discipline in the past. These are shorter than graduate degree programs which can be finished in less than a year provided it is taken on a full-time arrangement. Potential fields in which you can complete a graduate certification include social work, health communications, applied statistics, and nursing studies.

A few certification schools may allow students, who earn credits through a graduate certificate curriculum, to transfer said credits to another graduate degree program in the future. For instance, the likely course requirements for a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship are development of business plans, strategic marketing campaigns, new business formation, and fundamentals of capital. The bottom line is to choose the most appropriate program for you so that you can look forward to a growth in your career.