Our Research
Certificate programs are postsecondary nondegree awards that confirm completion of schooling or training in a specific field. They are offered for a wide range of professions and industries, offering both an introduction to the field and an opportunity to expand upon existing knowledge in a specialized area. The list that we have assembled here includes programs ranging from six credits to fifty credits, both in-person and online. Many offer the opportunity for flexible learning schedules so that students can access pre-recorded lectures and course materials while continuing to earn a living.
Certificate programs have shorter completion times and greater flexibility than pursuing a traditional undergraduate or graduate degree, but you still want to choose a program that is committed to rigorous standards. The best way to have confidence in the quality of a certificate program is to choose one that has been accredited by a higher education accreditation agency. The most common accreditation that certificate programs seek comes from one of the regional accreditation agencies that oversee the programs offered by public and private postsecondary schools throughout the U.S, though there are also programmatic accreditation agencies that may focus on a specific industry. These accreditations are generally bestowed to curriculum offered within a school that also has a regional accreditation.
We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.
Accredited Certificate Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top 50 Accredited Certificate Programs
intelligent score 99.79
Award
Intelligent Pick
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Intelligent Pick
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 36 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $186 per credit; Out-of-state: $217 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
660-359-3948
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 36 credits
intelligent score 99.29
Award
Best Community College
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Community College
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 6 - 30 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $100 per credit; Out-of-state: $290 per credit
accreditation
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
714-241-6176
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 6 - 30 credits
intelligent score 98.58
Award
Best for Biomedical Sciences
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Biomedical Sciences
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $600 - $1434.6 per credit
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
202-687-3600
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 35 credits
intelligent score 97
Award
Best Four-Year University
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Four-Year University
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 16 - 32 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $300 - $900 per credit
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
617-353-2300
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 16 - 32 credits
intelligent score 96.28
Award
Best Ivy League Programs
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Ivy League Programs
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $500 $1,260 per credit
accreditation
Human Resource Certification Institute
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
866-326-7635
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
intelligent score 95.82
Award
Best Private Research University
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Private Research University
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate-Undergraduate: 9 - 55 credits
Certificate-Graduate: 12 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate-Undergraduate: $1,880 per credit
Certificate-Graduate: $1,740 per credit
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
617-495-4024
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate-Undergraduate: 9 - 55 credits
Certificate-Graduate: 12 - 35 credits
intelligent score 95.56
Award
Best Public University
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Public University
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate-Undergraduate: 12 - 31 credits
Certificate-Graduate: 9 - 12 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate-Undergraduate: In-state: $351.25 per credit; Out-of-state: $460.85 per credit
Certificate-Graduate: In-state: $465.80 per credit; Out-of-state: $575.40 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
888-378-9988
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate-Undergraduate: 12 - 31 credits
Certificate-Graduate: 9 - 12 credits
intelligent score 94.26
Award
Best Private University
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Private University
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $320 per credit
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
888-387-0861
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 35 credits
intelligent score 94.24
Award
Best in the Midwest
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best in the Midwest
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 38 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $249 per credit; Out-of-state: $319 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
701-483-2175
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 38 credits
intelligent score 93.87
Award
Most Affordable Graduate Tuition
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Most Affordable Graduate Tuition
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate-Undergraduate: 9- 35 credits
Certificate-Graduate: 15 - 50 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate-Undergraduate: In-state: $296.66 per credit; Out-of-state: $528.66 per credit
Certificate-Graduate: In-state: $356 per credit; Out-of-state: $633 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
870-972-2782
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate-Undergraduate: 9- 35 credits
Certificate-Graduate: 15 - 50 credits
intelligent score 93.71
Award
Most Affordable In-State Tuition
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Most Affordable In-State Tuition
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 10 - 33 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $95 per credit; Out-of-state: $227 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
734-973-3543
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 10 - 33 credits
intelligent score 91.12
Award
Best Liberal Arts University
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Liberal Arts University
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $300 - $900 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
785-594-8325
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 35 credits
intelligent score 88.99
Award
Best Christian University
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Christian University
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $300 - $800 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
651-641-8230
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
intelligent score 87.58
Award
Best in the Southeast
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best in the Southeast
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $300 - $900 per credit
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
919-684-3214
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
intelligent score 87.48
Award
Student Recommended
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Student Recommended
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $922 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
231-598-8210
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 35 credits
intelligent score 85.99
Award
Best for Spanish-Language Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Spanish-Language Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 18 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $200 - $800 per credit
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
727-576-6500
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 18 credits
intelligent score 85.03
Award
Best in the South
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best in the South
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 34 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $436 per credit; Out-of-state: $947.25 per credit
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
409-880-8888
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 34 credits
intelligent score 84.87
Award
Best for Graduate Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Graduate Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 18 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate:$300 - $832 per credit
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
225-578-1175
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 18 credits
intelligent score 83.6
Award
Best in the Northeast
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best in the Northeast
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $200 - $900 per credit
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
617-253-1000
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
intelligent score 82.35
Award
Best for Health Sciences Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Health Sciences Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 55 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $806.88 per credit; Out-of-state: $2,212.77 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
517-355-8332
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 55 credits
intelligent score 81.63
Award
Best for Education Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Education Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $300 - $800 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
574-631-7505
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
intelligent score 80.74
Award
Best For-Profit School
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best For-Profit School
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 50 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $300 - $800 per credit
accreditation
Distance Education Accrediting Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-471-3232
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 50 credits
intelligent score 79.33
Award
Best for Theology Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Theology Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 30 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $200 - $900 per credit
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-373-5504
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 30 credits
intelligent score 78
Award
Best in the Northwest
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best in the Northwest
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 26 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $300 - $900 per credit
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-506-1325
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 26 credits
intelligent score 77.14
Award
Best Research Focus
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Research Focus
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $346.15 per credit; Out-of-state: $919.65 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
785-864-3624
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 35 credits
intelligent score 76.8
Award
Best Social Justice Focus
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Social Justice Focus
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 15 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate:$200 - $600 per credit
accreditation
Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
901-321-3427
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 15 credits
intelligent score 76.68
Award
Best Small University
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Small University
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 50 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $200 - $900 per credit
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
253-879-3211
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 50 credits
intelligent score 75.59
Award
Best for Agricultural Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Agricultural Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 14 - 75 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $648.66 per credit; Out-of-state: $1518.66 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
304-876-5212
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 14 - 75 credits
intelligent score 72.91
Award
Best in the Southwest
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best in the Southwest
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 60 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $406.7 per credit; Out-of-state: $1,107.91 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
505-277-8900
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 60 credits
intelligent score 72.87
Award
Best for Business Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Business Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 49 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $486 per credit; Out-of-state: $1,125 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
513-556-1100
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 49 credits
intelligent score 72.06
Award
Best Large University
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Large University
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $300 - $1,200 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
888-977-4847
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 35 credits
intelligent score 71.95
Award
Best Junior College
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Junior College
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 182 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $300 - $800 per credit, Associate: In-State: $46 per credit; Out-of-State: $376 per credit
accreditation
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
707-522-2824
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 182 credits
intelligent score 70.88
Award
Best Job Placement Rate
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Job Placement Rate
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 36 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $295 per credit; Out-of-state: $963 per credit
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
934-420-2200
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 15 - 36 credits
intelligent score 70.34
Award
Best for Financial Aid Eligible Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Financial Aid Eligible Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 28 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $199 per credit; Out-of-state: $405 per credit
accreditation
New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc.
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
774-357-2947
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 28 credits
intelligent score 70.04
Award
Best Technical College
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best Technical College
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 38 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $150 per credit; Out-of-state: $600 per credit
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
877-332-8682
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 38 credits
intelligent score 68.41
Award
Best for Technician Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Technician Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 42 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $100 per credit; Out-of-state: $400 per credit
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
404-297-9522
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 42 credits
intelligent score 67.92
Award
Best for Hybrid Classes
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Hybrid Classes
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 30 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $346.75 per credit; Out-of-state: $613.75 per credit
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
866-983-4682
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 30 credits
intelligent score 66.22
Award
Best for Small Class Sizes
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Small Class Sizes
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 60 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $160.54 per credit; Out-of-state: $280.95 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
701-224-5429
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 60 credits
intelligent score 66.15
Award
Best for Continuing Education
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Continuing Education
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 65 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $91 per credit; Out-of-state: $283 per credit
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
252-249-1851
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 9 - 65 credits
intelligent score 65.7
Award
Best for IT Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for IT Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 35 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: $530 - $920 credits
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
303-458-4900
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 12 - 35 credits
intelligent score 65.65
Award
Best for Administrative Certificates
Rankings
School Information
Graduation Rate:
Admission Rate:
Urbanicity:
School Size:
Award
Best for Administrative Certificates
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 6 - 18 credits
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Certificate: In-state: $152.80 per credit; Out-of-state: $222.25 per credit
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
715-682-4591
Delivery Format
On-campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Certificate: 6 - 18 credits
Discover More Options
What You Should Know About This Degree
There is a significant difference between a certificate program and certification. A certificate is earned by attending a program and awarded by an educational institution. Certification comes from a professional organization or certifying body within a given industry and is usually bestowed after an individual has accumulated a specified amount of time working within the industry in addition to having taken a standardized professional exam.
Accredited certificate programs open the doors to a wide range of opportunities. The programs that we have included offer options in the fields of healthcare, construction, law enforcement and firefighting, computer information technology, and trade and manufacturing. They represent a cost-effective way of getting a quick education that leads to employment, as well as a method of transitioning into a college education. By selecting a certificate program that has been accredited, you not only have the opportunity for financial aid through the federal student aid program, but also the ability to transfer credits from certificate programs that you have completed into a future baccalaureate program if you choose to pursue that option.
Earning a certificate has been directly associated with higher earnings in several different fields, including: healthcare; business/office work; cosmetology; auto mechanics; construction; electronics; transportation; refrigeration, heating and air conditioning; drafting; and aviation.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching accredited certificate programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Applying for admission to an accredited certificate program is much less arduous than the process of applying for a bachelor’s degree or associate degree. In most cases, the school to which you are applying will allow you to complete the process online by providing some basic information, including your contact information, the name and contact information for your high school, the year of your graduation, and information about the classes you took and the grades you achieved if your graduation was within the last ten years. If you have taken any college classes, you will be asked to submit that information, too.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Almost all certificate programs are offered online and asynchronously, though many colleges also offer the opportunity to attend classes in person. Students who are seeking online certificates for which an internship or a certain number of hours of real-world experience are needed will be provided the opportunity to fulfill that requirement in their own locale.
The application process for entry into an accredited certificate program is generally flexible, although some programs will follow a typical, semester-based calendar.
By selecting an accredited certificate program, you give yourself the opportunity to apply for financial support through federal, state, and local student aid programs. If you need help, be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid in order to determine what kind of tuition assistance you may be eligible for. You may also be able to get tuition reimbursement from your employer.