A certificate is a type of award conferred by a college, university, training program, university extension program, career and technical education schools, or other postsecondary education institution, indicating the satisfactory completion of a non-degree program of study, including coursework and assessments.
Certificates are issued by an institution in recognition of curriculum focused on a smaller, specialized domain of knowledge compared to established academic degrees. Typically, their course requirements are less, meaning they take less time and contain fewer credits, with most requiring no more than one year of full-time academic effort. A certificate may be for-credit (academic certificate), allowing credits to potentially transfer towards a degree, or non-credit (continuing education certificate).
It's important to distinguish these institutional certificates from industry certifications, which are typically awarded by professional associations or third-party organizations upon successful completion of an exam, validating a specific set of skills or competencies (e.g., IT certifications, project management certifications). While distinct, both play crucial roles in workforce readiness. Though not an absolute rule, one of the main distinctions between certificates and certifications is that certificates generally do not expire, whereas certifications often have a time limit.
Certificates of attendance or participation in short-term programs (like a day-long intensive) fall outside of this scope. Not every certificate program is entitled to federal funds like federal financial aid, depending on its length and specific accreditation. While many certificates last for the earner's lifetime, some have to be renewed or require earners to consistently meet ongoing requirements to maintain validity, particularly in rapidly evolving fields.
Certificates serve diverse purposes across many levels of knowledge or skill acquisition, from foundational to post-graduate. They are increasingly sought by individuals looking to:
Employers increasingly recognize the value of certificates as evidence of job-ready skills, often prioritizing candidates with relevant certifications and certificates for specific roles in high-demand sectors like healthcare, IT, and skilled trades.
A certificate is offered by education and training providers and is valued and verified within the learn-and-work ecosystem. It can be considered part of the skills ecosystem and is typically viewed as part of credentialing.
While similar, certificates vary slightly from degrees, credentials, and badges, but those terms may be used alongside certificates or describe similar processes.
Credential As You Go Dictionary
Counting U.S. Postsecondary & Secondary Credentials | Credential Engine (September 2019)
Non-degree Credentials Research Network (NCRN)
Microcredentials Definition | SUNY
Understanding Certifications | Workcred, CSW, GWIPP (2020)
Certificate vs Certification | Husson University
Certificates: FAQs | Universities of Wisconsin
What are the differences between college certificates and degrees? | UTSA
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