How many certificates are there

One CEU is normally defined as 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. Help us make our websites better! Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees Explained Learn about the most common types of certificates, diplomas, and degrees offered by post-secondary schools. Undergraduate Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees These awards usually take four years or less to complete.

These are academic programs of nine to 30 credits that are completed in a year or less by full-time students. Some programs provide specialized training for people who already have diplomas or degrees. Others are for those who want to quickly complete a program that leads to a specific job. An academic program generally of 30 to 72 credits intended to provide students with skills leading directly to a specific job.

Associate Degree. An award that normally requires at least two but less than four years of full-time college work. Graduate Diploma. Postgraduate Diploma. Associate Degrees. Associate of Applied Science. Associate of Arts. Associate of Science. Pathway Programs. Graduate Pathway. Undergraduate Pathway. Preparatory Programs. Foundation Year.

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Study Locations We have more than a thousand universities from around the world in our database. Browse Study Locations. Certificate Programs There are various kinds of certificates available: from undergraduate to graduate and advanced certificates.

The reason for this pay increase is that these candidates won't require as much on-the-job training as those without certification. If you find a career that you enjoy, deepening your understanding of your field by acquiring professional certificates may allow you to advance in your career.

When multiple applicants have the same credentials, employers can have a difficult time deciding who would be a better fit for their company. In this instance, having the right certifications could help you edge out your competition. Sometimes companies will require their employees to take certification courses to deepen their understanding of the work they do. In these instances, your employer may reimburse you for the cost of your certification.

One of the quickest ways to stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs is to acquire certifications that highlight your area of expertise and add value to your education or experience level.

Follow these steps to decide if a professional certificate is worth your time and money:. Certain careers, like medical transcriptionist or veterinary assistant, require certifications to get into the field. In these instances, you may want to consider complementary certifications to show potential employers that you have are willing to invest your time to improve your expertise in your field.

On the other hand, if you're in a field like IT or web development that allows an individual to take an entry-level job without credentials, you may want to research relevant certifications that can help you stand out from other applicants.

Not all certificates have equal value. When choosing the right certification program, make sure that it's accredited.

Otherwise, you could spend a lot of time and money on a certificate that has little to no value to employers. Some professional certification courses can take as long as two years and could cost thousands of dollars. Before deciding which course to take, think about how much time and money you're willing to invest.

As with so many other aspects of your career, it's important to keep your goals in mind when making the decision about which certificates you should get. If you are just starting out in your field, you may want to get an industry-wide certification to give your career path flexibility. On the other hand, if you have been with your employer for a long time and would like to advance within the company, you may find more value in getting a company-specific certificate that shows your commitment to your current employer.

There are so many certification courses available both through colleges and as stand-alone courses online that it can be hard to figure out which of these certifications actually matter to potential employers.

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The importance of choosing a trustworthy-credentialing body. Certification as a complement to education. Benefits of certification. Competitive advantage Efficiency Earning potential Expand knowledge and skills Professional credibility. Competitive advantage. Earning potential. Knowledge and skills. Professional credibility.