Certificate Programs

Online business certificate programs offer focused academic training that can help you to begin a business career, advance your current career or concentrate in a specific area of professional growth.

Earning a Certificate

Thanks to todays technology, certificate programs are available online, as well as on traditional campuses. They have fewer course requirements than formal degrees, and many accredited universities and certificate programs offer online program options.

In many cases, certificate programs are offered to those who already have a college education and wish to expand their skills and knowledge in a particular field. For example, a post master certificate program is designed for those who have already earned a master's degree and want further expand their knowledge of their chosen career.

Certificate programs offer you a way to increase your skills and give you a competitive edge in obtaining new employment or accelerating your career. They can provide the boost you need in staying current with todays job market and requirements.

The Cost of a Certificate Program

Studying through an online certificate program is more affordable than a traditional college or university program mainly due to the savings in housing, transportation and support services. Earning a certificate online can save as much as $100 to $150 per credit, when compared to a campus-based program.

Jobs or Careers that Require Certification

Certification programs are tailored to many different types of businesses. While some students earn certifications out of their own desires to advance their careers, others may enroll in certification programs to fulfill some requirement essential to their trade.

Some examples of certificates you can obtain in business-related fields include:

• Addictions Counseling Certificate: Online programs are especially convenient for counseling professionals who wish to build their communication skills in counseling settings while earning their degrees. Programs typically focus on substance abuse, compulsive behavior and therapy techniques.
• Call Center Professional Certificate: This certificate provides methodologies for world-class customer support and customer relationship management, including best practices and communication strategies. A Call Center Professional Certificate also helps you with planning career advancement and is offered through several online certificate programs.
• Graduate Accounting Certificate: This certificate program offers formal training for those with a Bachelor's degree and a background in accounting. The Graduate Accounting Certificate helps students expand their accounting knowledge, increase their career opportunities and meet their career goals.
• Paralegal Certificate Program: Paralegal certificate programs are for those who have already completed the necessary paralegal training and need to take a course or exam to earn an actual paralegal certificate. A paralegal certificate program differs from "official" paralegal certification, which can only be given by three professional organizations: the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the American Alliance of Paralegals (AAPI).
• Technology Management Certificate: This certificate will help you to develop critical skills and insights necessary for the management of technology. To earn a Technology Management Certificate, you need to learn more about management strategies and allocation of technical resources, as well as ways to incorporate technology and anticipate change in the field.

Online Certificate Programs

Online certificate programs can provide flexibility and a low-cost alternative for continuing education. Cheaper than courses through traditional campuses and tailored to your specific needs, an online certificate program can easily help you meet your business career goals.