Get Chapter Degree & Certificate Programs

Whether you pursue a certificate or a degree might depend on your education and career goals. A degree can often provide you with more opportunities and higher salaries than a certificate. You might also earn a certificate to give you the foundation and prerequisites needed to get a degree.

To qualify for a graduate level certificate you usually must already hold a terminal undergraduate degree (a bachelor's degree). Some advanced or graduate level certificates will accept students who do not hold bachelor's degrees.

Certificate Program CostsCertificates tend to be way cheaper options, with their average cost being around 5,000$ per program. This reasonable price even gives you the freedom to go for more than just one certificate. Since certificate programs are not costly, they don't always allow you to qualify for student loans.

Before borrowing student loans for certificate programs, check for employer funds. ... Apply for federal financial aid. ... Search for private certificate program student loans. ... Ask about payment plan options. ... Consider a personal loan. ... Apply far and wide to scholarships.

Upon completion of a college certificate program, students generally receive a certificate of completion or certificate of achievement, not a degree or diploma. Candidates may be able to transfer college certificate credits to degree programs at other colleges, depending on the institution and degree program.

While a certificate of achievement is something that a teacher might fill out for a student for doing something in class, such as achieving perfect attendance, a certificate of completion carries much more weight. Certificates of completion are often offered to students in lieu of a high school diploma.

After all, going into debt for a certificate is not a good idea unless there was a possibility of greater earning potential in the future. But an academic certificate program is well worth the investment. If you are considering the certificate route, make sure you find a certificate that meets your future career goals.

Certificates work! In the least amount of time, and for the least amount of money, they provide people with the right knowledge and skills to land a job. ... Here's why certifications can land you a job, and why they are so effective even when you don't have a college degree.

Certificates May Lead to Greater Opportunities and Better Pay. An academic certificate program offers a level of accomplishment that translates into more opportunities and more pay. Also, a certificate program is faster to complete than a traditional degree, yet it still displays a high level of academic accomplishment ...