Online Graduate Certificate Program Guide

In 2012, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported that certificates were the fastest-growing postsecondary educational credential in the United States. More recently, Forbes reported that between 2005 and 2017, the number of postgraduate certificates awarded increased by over 50%. Forbes also found that earning a graduate certificate could increase your salary by as much as 25%.

If you are considering a career change, earning a graduate certificate in finance or English language learning could help you break into a new field. If you want to advance in your current profession, there may be a graduate certificate program that can help you gain new knowledge and skills to rise through the ranks.

Working professionals may find that there are advantages to earning graduate certificates online. Online programs generally offer greater flexibility than on-campus programs.

Online graduate certificates offered by colleges and universities supplement existing knowledge, allowing for insight into specific aspects of a single discipline. Graduates develop new skills to remain competitive in the workforce. The best online graduate certificate programs emphasize leadership skills, giving learners an edge as they move into administrative and managerial roles.

By earning a graduate certificate online, professionals demonstrate advanced understanding of a topic. Business professionals, for example, can pursue an online graduate certificate in accounting or data analytics, while information technology professionals might benefit from graduate certificates in topics, such as cybersecurity and database administration.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Graduate certificate programs typically include fewer credits of coursework than master’s degrees, allowing most learners to graduate within one year. Master’s degrees often take around two years to earn.

Like a master’s program, admission requirements for a certificate track often include a bachelor’s degree and professional experience in the field. However, online graduate certificate programs generally do not ask applicants to submit standardized test scores.

Earning your graduate certificate is different from earning a professional certification. Certificates and certifications are different kinds of credentials.

For example, earning a graduate certificate in project management does not make you a certified project management professional (PMP). To earn your PMP certification, you must pass the PMP exam administered by the Project Management Institute. However, working toward your online graduate certificate may help you prepare for the exam.

According to the Pew Research Center, as technology advances, many workers will need to pursue continuous, lifelong education to keep up with the rapid pace of change in their professions. Earning a graduate certificate may help you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in your field, making you an attractive job applicant to employers. It could also improve your performance in your current role.

Many online graduate certificate programs take one year or less to complete. Students can finish some programs in as little as five months.

Graduate certificate programs generally take less time than master’s degree programs; however, you still need to invest both time and money to earn the credential. Before enrolling in a graduate certificate program, reflect on your career goals and the true cost of earning your certificate online.

Admission requirements for graduate certificate programs vary. For example, students pursuing an online graduate certificate in nursing usually need relevant work experience and a bachelor’s degree in nursing, while learners pursuing an online graduate certificate in marketing may not need prior marketing experience or a degree in marketing.

Students need a bachelor’s degree to pursue a graduate certificate. Some programs also require a minimum undergraduate GPA. Applicants may also need to submit a resume, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores.

However, some of these materials, such as test scores, are not always required. Unlike most graduate degree programs, many certificate programs accept applications on a rolling basis.

Choosing a graduate certificate program requires careful consideration of several factors. Professionals working full time may opt for an online graduate certificate that provides extra flexibility and convenience.

Students should make sure the program they choose includes classes suited to their goals. Redundant content or a lack of new information can result in a lack of intellectual rigor. Whether or not a program includes sequential coursework can also factor into the selection process, especially for learners who want to complete classes on their own schedules.

Cost is also an important consideration. Many online graduate certificate programs offer per-credit tuition. Potential additional online costs include textbooks and technology fees.

A graduate certificate program offers a flexible option to expand your knowledge in a specific discipline. With a graduate certificate, students can advance within their current career or move into a new industry.

Graduate certificate programs also give students a glimpse into what a master’s degree program might entail, often allowing learners to apply credits from a certificate track toward graduate degree requirements.

Graduate certificates help working professionals stay current on emerging technologies, trends, and issues within a field. For example, certificates in cybersecurity and informatics help information technology professionals remain up-to-date, while education professionals benefit from graduate certificates in educational technology, curriculum development, and education administration.

A graduate certificate can also lead to professional licensure or complement certifications offered by professional organizations and associations. Many colleges and universities offer curricula that align with standards established by government agencies, accrediting bodies, and industry-specific organizations.

Earning your graduate certificate could increase your salary in your current role or help you secure a more lucrative position. According to PayScale, professionals holding a graduate certificate in their field earn an average annual salary of $55,980.

How much you can earn with a graduate certificate depends on your field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that training and development specialists earn a median annual salary of $62,700, while market research analysts make a median income of $65,810. Elementary school teachers earn a median salary of $60,660 per year.

These figures include both professionals with and without graduate certificates.

Check out the BestColleges Blog for more resources and tips for earning your degree online.