Certificate Programs offer a useful, concentrated study of a particular professional area. These programs can help you start a new career or develop your skills and knowledge, giving you powerful qualifications to enhance your occupation. A Certificate of Participation is awarded upon completion of your course or program. You may take individual courses for professional development or work toward a certificate in your chosen area of interest.

Certificates do not have a standardized definition, set of prerequisites, or level of academic award upon completion. A Certificate of Completion from an institution can mean many things. The one thing that is common among any certificate program is that it is an educational credential awarded after completion of a preset curriculum an organized program of study completed faster than a degree.

All online certificate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. Completion of a certificate program while pursuing a college degree can serve as a sign to prospective employers that you are a person with drive and determination.

With a certificate, you are considered to be an expert in your field and confident that your knowledge base is current so you can perform at the highest level of excellence. In today's competitive job market, it often takes more than a degree to get the job you want. Armed with a knowledge base in a specific field of study, you will be in the top of your field and it makes you more employable. Not only will salaries in all fields will be higher for those who take the time to earn a certificate, a certificate of specialization will give you the competitive edge you need to advance your career.

Certificate programs offer concentrated study in areas such as:

Computer Programming Median annual earnings of programmers $62,890

Paralegal - Median annual earnings for paralegals $39,130

Interior Decorator - Median annual earnings for interior designers $40,670

Medical Transcriptionist - Median annual earnings of medical records and health info rmation technicians $25,590

Dental Assistant - Median annual earnings of dental assistants $28,329

Motorcycle Repair Technician - Median hourly earnings of motorcycle mechanics $28,496