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3 Signs an Online Graduate Certificate Is Enough

By U.S. News & World Report

You don’t always need to commit to a full degree program to advance your career. Shorter and sometimes less costly, a graduate certificate might be a better option to get ahead.

Think of a graduate certificate as a set of courses devoted to a specific topic , designed to build on top of a bachelor’s degree. The certificate may be meant to go deeper into topics already explored in the bachelor’s degree — like adding cybersecurity skills to a computer science degree — or to expand in to a new area , like add ing competency in human resources for someone in management with any bachelor’s degree .

Some certificates might not require an undergraduate degree at all — for example, programs may consider work experience instead — and may take 18 or fewer hours of coursework and about a year to complete.

Now, nearly one-fourth of the diplomas awarded by colleges and universities are certificates, according to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.

These numbers are increasing in spite of the limitations to earning an online degree, namely the time and money it takes to complete the requirements for an associate, a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.

Cathy Sandeen, then the dean of UCLA’s Extension continuing education program , said in an article on Bankrate that, for many people who already have a bachelor’s degree — even an incomplete one — a certificate can be a more practical solution than a full graduate degree.

[Decide between an online graduate certificate and online degree.]

1. You want to advance in a specific area of your current field. Employers want a well-trained workforce and more are seeking employees with specific expertise — so , a graduate certificate is a good way to expand an existing skill set. Some employers will pay for employees’ certification courses. And many graduate programs will include graduate certificates as preparation for a full graduate degree.

According to Sandeen in the Bankrate piece, some fields — such as homeland security, sustainability and social media — are ideal for gaining certification. A business degree, for example, might include a certificate in human resources or project management. A computer science degree might gain value with a certificate in bioinformatics or information security.

2. You don’t have the time or money for a degree. A graduate degree almost always requires a bachelor’s credential to get in the door and can take 36 or more credit hours of coursework — about two years — to complete. This kind of degree covers a broad array of topics and issues relevant to an entire field of study, business or education, for example. A certificate generally focus es on a particular set of skills within a discipline , and require s less time and money.

But there is a trade-off. In 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that graduate degrees are more sought after by employers and usually degree holders earn a bit more money, compared with graduate certificates, which are not in as high demand and whose holders may earn less. Find out what sort of postsecondary education is required in your career.

[Explore how online certificate programs can help career changers.]

3. You already have a well-established career. A graduate certificate is also an excellent way for people established in their careers — those in their 40s and 50s, for example — to keep their professional skills growing and perhaps protect their position in a tightening labor market.

Online certificates are earned the same way as online degrees. An online application, to begin with, and a conversation with an advis e r — online or in-person — can help you sort out the best certification for you and any prerequisites or preparation you may need to get started. Once you have your first certification under your belt, you may find yourself pursuing others to add to your resume.

The takeaway: Depending on your career aspirations, your line of work and the time and money you can commit to further your education, an online graduate certificate may be the practical — and preferable –alternative to an online graduate degree.

More from U.S. News

Choose Between an Online Graduate Certificate, Degree Program

Consider Graduate Certificates to Save Time, Money

Develop Business Skills Through Online Certificate Programs

3 Signs an Online Graduate Certificate Is Enough originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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