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People who are hesitant about the prospect of undertaking a degree program or returning to school for a master’s degree after already earning a bachelor’s can consider certificate programs as a way to potentially reach their career goals while saving money. 

Students can enroll in online certificate programs and learn while they are working or attending school. Certificate programs vary by institution, but participants often receive a certificate after successfully completing a program and assessment.

Some industries where professional certificates can be particularly helpful in bolstering knowledge and helping candidates position themselves for career growth are:

• Information technology
• Education
• Business
• Healthcare
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• Human resources
• Marketing

Completing a certificate can give students additional knowledge and skills to add to a resumé.

A specialized skill set from a quality certificate program can help job candidates stand out from others in competitive fields where many applicants have similar backgrounds.

The advantage of added skills does not only apply to tech, healthcare or other jobs requiring a college degree. Trade workers, such as machinists in the manufacturing industry, may choose to pursue a  to learn skills such as operating computer numerical control (CNC) machines.

If a student's career plans include a very specific position within a company, they can use certificate programs to tailor their knowledge for a particular role. A custom strategy can be effective because many certificate courses focus on specific skills, streamlining the learning process compared to a degree program.

Here are four more helpful things to consider.

Here are four more helpful things to consider.

The first step in finding the appropriate certificate program for a student's needs is researching the possibilities.

First, define the desired career path. Certificates have a narrow focus, so be sure of the specialization before enrolling. While a student may not need to settle on a specific position, they will likely need to select a focus, such as financial planning, cybersecurity or business analytics.

The next step is to find the best programs for the chosen subject. If the programs are offered through a university, ensure it is an accredited institution and that the program will lead to an actual certificate. Some programs can help prepare for a certification exam from a credentialing organization respected in the industry.

The difference between certificate and certification is that a certificate is an educational program received through a college while certification is a note of accomplishment through any other organization or resource that might specialize in a specific skill or set of skills rather than an overall topic. To determine which may be best, consider speaking with a college career counselor or ask those in the industry which they value more.

Select a program that provides the most value for a career. In some industries, such as tech, students will have to choose between many similar certificate options. Select one that aligns with career plans and is preferred by employers in the industry.

Another way to determine which professional certificate is a good fit is to seek advice from people working in the chosen industry or profession or even talk to HR managers and recruiters to see which credentials they prefer when hiring.

Professional certificates may be less expensive than degree programs, but they still need to be factored into a student's budget. There are traditional options for covering the cost, such as paying tuition and exam fees up front or taking out a loan, but there are other options too.

Companies that want their workers to upskill may offer employer payment programs in which the organization covers all or part of the cost of a certificate program. Another common option is tuition reimbursement, which involves the employee paying for the course up front or with a loan. The employer then reimburses the employee over time.

Certificates are an opportunity to specialize in an area of interest. However, students also need to be practical about which certificate they choose. Is there a demand for this skill set? Does the salary make earning a certificate worthwhile? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers  for professions over the next decade. These insights can be useful, as can looking at job sites to see the number of open positions in the area of expertise and the salary offered for those jobs.

������ý offers 45 online professional certificate programs in fields, including business, cybersecurity, health informatics and education. Discover which certificates may be right for you and your career goals.

Here are just several examples of certificates at ������ý:

• Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate: Develop technical knowledge to step into the fast-growing field of IT security, helping keep computer systems safe from data breaches and cyberattacks.
• Advanced Software Developer Certificate: Develop programming, software engineering and IT architecture skills in as little as seven months. Learn to design and implement software solutions in relation to project scope and stakeholder needs. Study multiple programming languages and software architecture principles.
• Marketing Certificate: In as little as seven months, you can learn specialized skills such as designing product development strategies that deliver value to consumers and managing supply chains.
• Business Analytics Certificate: Develop valuable skills such as mining, analyzing and visualizing data. Learn how to use data ethically and securely, make decisions ethically and securely and apply data to core business functions. You can complete this program in as little as 11 months.
  
• Medical Records Certificate: Learn the entry-level, technical aspects of medical insurance, billing, coding and claims processing in approximately 10 months online. Our Medical Records Certificate prepares you to sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam, a national certification offered through the National Healthcareer Association.