Earning a certification in a specific field can give you the edge over professionals, leading to better employment opportunities as well as faster career advancement opportunities. A certification demonstrates two important things to employers – that you have completed specialized training in your field and that you are committed to professional growth. Best of all, most students earn their online certificate programs in a year or two for a few thousand dollars in tuition expenses.
What Are Online Certificate Programs?
Unlike college degree programs that stretch for 4 years, online certificate programs are usually short-term programs that focus on specific technical training. These programs are designed in a way that that entire course curriculum is compacted to about 12 months. The certificate you receive on completing the programs typically leads to job placement in that field.
Certificate training can also help anyone who wishes to pursue additional education after a few years of working. Obtaining online certificates can help professionals with career advancement. And, many colleges allow online certificate programs to be transferred over to a relevant bachelor’s or master’s program if you choose to go that route.
Online certificate programs are not available in all fields. They usually cover topics such as paralegal studies, medical billing or coding, small business development, human resources, and automotive technology.
Benefits Of Online Certificate Programs
Online certificate programs offer several benefits, which have contributed to their growing popularity among individuals of all ages. Several benefits include:
- These programs are career focused, providing specialized training and skill for a specific job or trade.
- They may give you the competitive advantage over other candidates when applying for a job.
- Completing a certificate program can lead to additional advancement opportunities.
- Many companies reimburse their employees’ certificate program tuition as these programs enhance professional development.
- You could earn a higher salary after completing a certificate program.
- The programs are online and have flexible curricula, so you can complete the coursework from home at your convenience without compromising family or work obligations.
Online certificate programs are a great option for professionals looking to gain an extra leg up in their industry or to change career paths. From accounting and IT to human resources and safety, earning a certificate from online certificate programs can help you to advance your career and also pad your paycheck.
5 Popular Online Certificate Programs
So here are 5 online certificate programs that you can enroll in to advance your career:
1. Accounting Certificate Program
If numbers come easily to you and you have a mind for money, accounting is a great field for you. Accountants help people, businesses, and organizations. They help make sense of finances, file taxes, and complete analysis of financial and business records. There are lots of different degree options for accountants but the certification that can really help you to take your career tot he next level is the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification.
CPAs must complete 150 credit hours and pass a certification exam before they can receive their certification. A traditional bachelor’s degree is 120 hours. For a simple 30 extra hours, interested students can receive their CPAs and also earn a significantly higher wage.
2. Information Technology (IT) Certificate Program
Information Technology (IT) is an incredibly large field that encompasses everything from software engineering to computer networking. The IT space continues to grow at a fast rate and there are ample job options for qualified candidates. With such a large and competitive field, a certification is a great way to get a leg up on the competition.
Certifications in IT can be based on learning a particular program, software, or protocol. Certifications are also often offered by technology companies themselves (e.g., Microsoft). These programs teach students how to install, use, and maintain their programs. Other programs are focused more on the development aspects of IT such as coding, scripting, and building of programs or websites.
Generally, IT certifications do not require any previous college courses. That means that they are a good option for students that are just starting out, or professionals looking to change careers or move up in the IT field.
3. Human Resources (HR) Certificate Program
Certifications in the Human Resources (HR) field allow professionals the chance to enhance their resumes and also strengthen their position within the field. Students of HR certificate programs take classes focused on relations between employees and the company, conflict management, organizational behavior and strategies, and professional development.
As with IT certifications, HR certifications also generally do not require previous college courses. The Human Resources Certification Institute, which is one of two well-reputed credentialing bureaus, offers several online exams for HR professionals at various levels.
4. Medical Billing or Coding Certificate
A medical billing or coding certification can open the door to many different careers in the healthcare system. Unlike nursing, medical billing or coding is a field that has limited patient interaction. Professionals in this field work behind the scenes at the hospital they work in. They work closely with other medical professionals and insurance companies.
Courses in medical billing and coding cover all of the basics that you will need to succeed in the field. They also do not require previous college experience and take roughly a year to complete. For those who already have a billing or coding certificate, obtaining a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification can help to give you a competitive edge.
5. Project Management Certificate
A project management certificate is a great base certificate that can be applied to multiple different fields. Courses cover topics that provide you with valuable skills like time management, communication, risk assessment, and also cost estimation and management. With such a broad base of learning, a project management certificate is available to absolutely anyone. That includes those with or without prior college credit.
Whether you are in business, non-profit management, or a technical trade like plumbing, a project management certificate will help you to advance your career.
Tips For Finding The Right Certification Program For You
Deciding which program to enroll in is not always easy, especially with so many options available. These tips can help you choose a certification program that’s right for you.
Talk To Other Professionals In The Field
Professionals working in the role or position you aspire to hold know what employers are looking for and what skills employers consider the most valuable. This feedback can help you identify the best certification to help you advance your career.
If they have completed an online certification program, they may also be able to recommend a good program or give you tips on what to look for when choosing a program.
Talk To Your Employer
The two main reasons for enrolling in a certification program are career advancement and higher income. If you’re unsure as to which certification will best your career goals or which skills the company thinks are most valuable, ask your employer. They may recommend some certifications that are in high demand within the company, and which may enhance your resume.
Your company may fully or partially reimburse the cost of the online certification program if its relevant to your current job.
Not sure about your career path? Try using our Career Finder tool. It can help you explore thousands of careers learn more about the job position, your expected responsibilities, job growth, required education level, salary expectations, and more.
