Certificate Degree Programs Types and Styles

Strengthen your skills or learn new ones through certificate degree programs
By Lea Terry, Freelance Journalist / Copywriter You can earn a certificate degree either in preparation for a career, or to help further your career by refining your skills or learning new ones. Many certificate degrees can be earned online, or if you prefer one-on-one instruction, you can enroll in a certificate degree program in a traditional classroom setting.

You can learn both basic skills and more advanced, specialized methods by earning a college certificate degree online or in the classroom. Certificate degree programs types and styles include:

1. An in-person or online university certificate degree
2. Degree certificates offered by technical schools
3. Online certificate programs
4. Certification through a professional association
   

Earn a certificate degree from a university

Many traditional, four-year universities offer certificate programs in everything from child development to management to computer science. Most of these universities offer both an in-person option and college certificate degree program online.
Try:  Penn State University offers both graduate and undergraduate level certificates through its World Campus. Its certificate programs include subjects like corporate communication, project management and applied statistics. Duke University offers several professional certificates through its Continuing Studies program. The certificates offered include nonprofit leadership, human resource management, financial planning, technical communication and many others.

Compare certificate programs offered by technical schools

Vocational and technical schools specialize in certificate degree programs. Their programs include everything from computer programming to healthcare to automotive maintenance, and they offer a wide range of on-site and online business certificate programs.
Try:  ITT Technical Institute offers certification and degree programs at its many locations around the country, or online. Programs range from computer forensics to project management to computer drafting and design. Or you can choose a local technical institute, such as Metro Technology Centers in Oklahoma City. Metro Tech offers certification in everything from architecture and construction to information technology to welding.

Find certificate degree programs online

Some institutions focus primarily or exclusively on web-based certification. You can learn at your own pace, and in any setting, whether it's at home, at work or even while traveling.
Try:  The University of Phoenix offers online certification in business topics such as mediation, accounting and project management. Capella University offers online graduate certification in several areas, including human resource management, project management, nonprofit management, health care administration and criminal justice.

Earn a certificate degree through your professional association

Many professional associations offer certification programs designed to help members advance their careers. These certification programs cover both the basics and more advanced and specialized subjects, and many are available online.
Try:  The Construction Management Association of America offers training and certification in construction project management. The American Management Association offers a series of seminars leading to its Certificate of Management Excellence.