Depending on the program in which a person participates, a certificate of completion can mean different things. Many trade and vocational schools, as well as a number of junior and community colleges, offer non-degree training in a variety of fields. People who complete these programs may receive a certificate indicating that they have met all of the program’s requirements to certain standards, which is known as a certificate of completion. Some vocational and job training programs allow students to earn college degrees as well, and some students may be able to earn this certificate and an associate of arts (A.A.) degree at the same time, or by taking a few more courses.
What’s more confusing is that a certificate of completion isn’t always a guarantee that someone has completed all of the training requirements of a vocational or academic program. Students who do not receive a diploma in high school may receive this completion certificate instead. This may affect your chances of getting into four-year colleges, but it usually doesn’t affect your chances of getting into community or junior colleges. Various colleges may treat the certificate differently, and looking at the admission requirements can help you figure out how it will be viewed. If a college requires a diploma or a G.E.D., a high school certificate of completion may not be sufficient.
Final exams may be required at trade schools and vocational schools in order to receive a diploma or an end degree. If these are not passed, the student may receive a certificate of completion, but it will not provide the same level of recognition as passing finals. Again, this varies, and some programs have done away with final exams in favor of only providing completion certificates.
The way these certificates are handled can have a big impact on how a job in the field where a person is training is handled. Completing a program and receiving a certificate may not be sufficient to secure employment. Many programs also require participants to obtain certification, which is not the same as a completion certificate. People typically obtain certification for various jobs by passing exams such as real estate, nursing, or contracting exams, which allow them to work at a specific level in their chosen profession. A certificate stating that a person has completed a certain amount of training should not be confused with certification or licensing; however, this certificate may be required in order to take tests leading to licensing.