Academic qualifications — you might be sure you want to pursue one or the other, but do you know which one is most suitable for you, or, whether there are differences between them to know of. Since it’s not uncommon for students to mix them up and get lost in the terminology, let’s explore what each of them means and what they can do for you in the long term.
When it comes to the complicated world of certificates, diplomas, and degrees, they often leave us wondering which would be the right choice. It isn’t that one is better or worse than the other, and their own uniqueness should be the deciding factor for us. Whether it’s cosmetology, business management, or artificial intelligence that you want to know more about, there are many different educational pathways to go after. Knowing the differences between them will surely prove to be helpful in your decision. At the end of the day, our ruling has to favor the direction in which we want our career to go. There are some key characteristics that divide these academic awards, so, let’s get to their definitions.
Certificate programs are normally shorter postsecondary academic awards. They usually last anywhere from a few months to 3 years maximum. They can be undergraduate programs or graduate programs, with graduate programs always requiring a following bachelor’s degree. An undergraduate certificate program is ideal for those who want to take classes that are related to each other, whether in terms of their theme or focus (academic or technical). Students can opt for an undergraduate certificate program while concurrently pursuing a bachelor’s degree or as an alternative to an undergraduate degree. On the other hand, those who already have a bachelor’s degree can opt for a graduate certificate. Those who enroll in a graduate certificate program do so for different reasons, among which are: wanting a competitive advantage, career change, etc.
Compared to a degree program, a certificate program is:
Diploma programs are also postsecondary awards and more times than not awarded by colleges and technical schools, rather than universities. They’re generally longer than certificate programs. Compared to a degree program, a diploma program takes less time to complete. Obtaining a diploma is a great way to gain specialized skills in your chosen profession.
Degrees are awards given upon the completion of a longer (starting from 2 and up to 6 years, depending on the program) course, which is commonly known to be more expansive and far-flung. One can obtain a degree from a university or college and at a few different levels (undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate).
1. Associate’s degree – This is an undergraduate level degree that one can obtain in two years and is equal to 60 credit hours. An associate degree program equips students with the foundational skills and knowledge in a specific discipline. Those who pursue an associate’s degree do so to prepare for their Bachelor’s studies or to obtain the degree as an additional qualification. If you decide to pursue an associate’s degree, there are four types you can choose from:
2. Bachelor’s degree – It’s also an undergraduate level degree. Compared to an Associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree generally takes twice as long to complete (four years), and is worth twice as many credit hours (120), and is naturally more expensive. A bachelor’s degree is often the minimum requirement education-wise for many professions. Some universities offer part-time bachelor’s programs in-person and online classes. There are three types of bachelor’s degrees:
3. Master’s degree – This is an advanced or graduate-level degree. A full-time master’s program takes approximately two years to complete and is worth between 30-64 credit hours. Students who pursue a master’s degree do so to gain specialized knowledge and advance in their careers. One can obtain a master’s degree in a plethora of fields, among which are:
4. Doctorate degree – This is an advanced or postgraduate degree, and most commonly, the highest degree qualification in a certain field. To obtain a doctorate degree you need to complete anywhere between 90 and 120 credit hours, or four to eight years. Those who pursue a doctorate degree are usually interested in careers in academia, i.e., university professor or research. There are two main types of doctorate degrees: academic and professional. They are further divided into:
Certificate programs and diploma programs can be very similar and oftentimes provide identical areas of study. Despite the resemblance, a certificate program will generally be shorter and can be completed in a matter of months. As a result, it requires fewer credits.
On the other hand, a diploma program takes about two years to finish. As such, it tends to gravitate towards a more thorough approach to a specialized subject.
While both diploma and certificate programs are career-focused, their availability differs. Despite some exceptions, diploma programs are not easily found online, as they have a heavier coursework load. Certificate programs are more likely to be painless to work around, flexible and come with a substantial amount of online options. And if you’ve already finished a degree program, it can easily serve as a great add-on to your skills.
Yes, with so many academic pathways and awards to choose from, it can get confusing and you can lose sight of what you’re really after and what differs them. For diplomas versus degrees, the determining factor should be the career you want to pursue and the costs you are capable of paying.
