best online certificate programs

Last Updated on December 15, 2022

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Students can earn certificates through qualifying, non-degree courses of study at colleges, universities, and technical schools. Postsecondary certificates are a popular option, likely because they take significantly less time to complete than degrees.This guide explores the best online certificate programs and the reasons that certificates are so popular. The following sections review how to transfer a certificate into a degree program and provide information about accreditation for students earning certificates online.

Top 10 Accredited Online Certificate Programs

RANKSCHOOLLOCATION
1Coastal Pines Technical CollegeWaycross, GA
2Georgia Piedmont Technical CollegeClarkston, GA
3Champlain CollegeBurlington, VT
4Georgia Northwestern Technical CollegeRome, GA
5Southern Regional Technical CollegeThomasville, GA
6Bismarck State CollegeBismarck, ND
7Pamlico Community CollegeGrantsboro, NC
8Regis UniversityDenver, CO
9Charter Oak State CollegeNew Britain, CT
10Wisconsin Indianhead Technical CollegeShell Lake, WI

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that a college degree remains the goal for most graduating high school seniors and even many nontraditional students. Postsecondary institutions all over the country awarded more bachelor’s degrees (1.9 million) than associate degrees (one million) or certificates (approximately 900,000).

However, several factors, such as rapid technological advancement and increasing globalization, have impacted the current educational landscape in the United States. An increasing number of students opt for alternative academic options, including pursuing an online certificate program. Enrolling in a certificate program offers several advantages in terms of time, affordability, and professional options. You can read about these advantages in greater detail below.

This guide provides information that can help you decide whether enrolling in an online certificate program is right for you. Learn more about some of the most popular certificate programs available to students today. Before making a final decision, explore key aspects of certificate programs, including accreditation, cost, and school ranking. Continue reading below to learn how you can benefit from the academic and career advantages of online certificate programs.

Accredited Online Certificate Programs Overview

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies a certificate as a postsecondary nondegree award. An educational institution awards a certificate to a graduate who has completed some type of postsecondary schooling or training. A certificate is not the same as certification, which is given by a certifying body or a professional organization.

Many people associate certificate programs with trades like automotive repair, welding, and plumbing. Schools offer certificates in these fields but increasingly in other professional arenas as well, such as healthcare, computer technology, and education. Without disregarding the value of a broad-based education, career opportunities abound for skilled workers in the modern workforce.

Technological advances allow students to earn a certificate fully online in certain fields. Programs that require students to complete an internship typically allow them to meet this requirement within their geographical area. Each program maintains its own set of admission criteria. Considerable differences exist between schools offering the same type of certificate, so be sure to contact a prospective school to be clear on their admission requirements.

Certificate programs typically offer career-oriented and skills-focused classes. Because of this, few courses transfer readily to an associate or bachelor’s program. However, some two-year community colleges accept certificate courses earned from an accredited program. If you plan to use your certificate coursework for a degree later on, make sure you know the transferability of the courses you plan to take for the certificate.

BLS lists several on-campus and online certificate programs that are in high demand in today’s workforce. Certificates in healthcare, information technology, and protective services currently rank high in terms of giving graduates marketable skills.

Why Get an Online Certificate?

Students opt to pursue an online certificate for professional and personal reasons. Some are listed below:Shorter Completion TimeMany online certificate programs take only a year to complete, meaning graduates enter the workforce sooner than if they pursued a two-year associate or a four-year bachelor’s degree.Focused LearningA certificate program allows students to develop a specific set of skills required in a job or industry. They graduate from the program with readily marketable skills.AffordabilitySince online students often live and study from home, they incur no additional transportation and boarding costs, which makes online certificate programs much more affordable than traditional onsite programs.FlexibilityMany online programs offer asynchronous coursework, which makes it easier to attend class and maintain personal and work responsibilities at the same time.Professional RequirementSome positions require applicants to be certified in a specific practice area within their field, such as special education or emergency room nursing.

Accreditation for an Online Program

There are currently three types of higher education accreditation in the United States. Regional accreditation focuses on degree-oriented nonprofit institutions, which may be public or private schools. For-profit trade or sectarian schools often seek national accreditation. The third type, programmatic accreditation, focuses on specific programs offered by schools that hold national or regional accreditation.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee the accrediting process and make sure accrediting agencies apply the same rigorous standards to all the schools and programs that fall under their rightful jurisdiction.

Accreditation signifies more than quality education. Students can only receive federal financial assistance if they are enrolled in an accredited institution. Accreditation also matters when transferring credits. Schools with regional accreditation only accept credits earned at another institution that holds the same type of accreditation. They seldom accept credits earned at a school with national accreditation.

In evaluating online programs, consider those offered by an accredited school. If you are looking for an online school (and not just a brick-and-mortar campus offering online programs), look for accreditation by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). ED and CHEA recognize DEAC as the main accreditor for online schools.

Common Online Certificate Programs

  • HealthcareWith an aging American population and thousands of healthcare workers reaching retirement age, the need for well-trained healthcare workers in various subfields is greater than ever. Several healthcare occupations require the completion of an accredited certificate program for entry-level employment. Some of these include jobs as pharmacy technicians, licensed vocational nurses, and medical assistants.
  • Protective ServicesProfessionals providing protective services, including firefighters, law enforcement, and private security officers, typically require certificate-level training to qualify for ground-level positions. Advancement in the field, especially for homeland security professionals, often depends on accumulated relevant experience and higher-level education. Mid-level professionals seeking to change to a career in protective services can earn a certificate in a specialized field to help them transition.
  • Precision ProductionSchools offer several certificates in this varied field, including programs for machinists, welders, and tool and die makers. Technology advances continue to create new specialization areas, including electromechanical equipment assemblers and computer-controlled machine tool operators. Precision production certificate programs typically last 6-12 months with many requiring hands-on training or apprenticeship.
  • Construction TradesBLS projects a 10% growth rate for jobs in this industry between 2018 and 2028, which is twice as fast as the average growth rate for all other occupations. Certificate programs cover the gamut of jobs available in this industry, including construction and building inspectors, electricians, and hazardous materials removal workers.
  • Computer Information TechnologySeveral stand-alone schools offer online certificate programs in this field for students who want to start working in the computer technology field. Popular programs include certificates to become computer support specialists, programmers, and information security analysts. BLS projects a growth rate of 10% for jobs in this sector between 2018 and 2028, which is faster than average.

Online Certificate Requirements

Trade and manufacturing certificates often require applicants to have at least a high school or GED diploma. Certificate programs related to computer technology may require the completion of specific foundation courses in math. Reach out to a prospective school to get clarification on their admission requirements if these are not clearly stated on their website.

Accredited institutions offering online certificate programs require the submission of a transcript from the school where applicants completed their secondary education. Students who attended more than one high school likely must submit transcripts from each school. Transcripts are mailed (electronically or by post) directly to a prospective school, so give your secondary institution ample time to accomplish this within the deadline.

Students pursuing an online certificate program in high-need areas (such as healthcare or education) often qualify for some type of federal financial assistance. You must complete the FAFSA to find out your eligibility status. Note that ED channels federal funds only through accredited schools.

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