A graduate certificate program is one that is designed to teach people who have already completed a four-year undergraduate degree some level of expertise in a variety of fields. These programs should be distinguished from other certificate programs that do not require a degree. While there are many excellent certificate programs of this type available at trade or vocational schools as well as a number of community colleges, the graduate certificate is unique in that it requires previous schooling.
Graduate certificate programs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some instructors want to teach material that can be used to obtain certification in a specific field. A certificate program, for example, is obtaining a teaching certificate after completing an undergraduate degree. These courses can take up to a year to complete. Others will only take a semester or a couple of quarters to complete, while others will take a year to complete when studied part-time.
Graduate certificate programs are sometimes used to help people decide what they want to study in graduate school. Some schools, for example, may offer master’s degrees in public health but also offer a variety of certificate programs that teach various aspects of public health so that students can choose a focus. Instead of immediately enrolling in master’s programs, students first complete a certificate, which typically consists of three to four intensive classes.
These programs can also be used to gain knowledge prior to or during the pursuit of a master’s degree in certain specialized fields. A school counselor might want to get a mental health counseling certificate. This could be done to improve qualifications or as a means of preparing for a career change.
People should thoroughly investigate any programs of interest, given the wide variety of certificate programs available, many of which can be earned online. First, not all graduate certificate programs have transferable units, which should be confirmed if a person wishes to pursue master’s or doctoral level work. In this case, asking the school is helpful, and people should also check with accrediting agencies to see if the school is accredited.
While a graduate certificate program may sound appealing, it’s also important to consider how a specific course will improve your knowledge or job prospects. Is it possible to do the work that one is interested in without a certificate, for example?
Occasionally, colleges will offer a graduate certificate program without outlining the potential benefits or drawbacks of the program. People may leave a program with an education they did not require because of the high cost. The program’s benefits should be weighed against real-world needs, and the costs, particularly of large loans, should be weighed against future job prospects and salary potential. However, many of these programs provide additional job opportunities or are the only way for people in certain fields to find work.