Online Certificate Programs

Online certificate programs offer the professional skills and recognition most learners need to compete successfully for many exciting careers. Most often most people pursue online certification programs if they don't want to spend four years in college or lack the time or money to do so.

Online Certificate Programs by Distance Learning

Online certification programs and courses are available in these and more areas of study:

Search your choice of online certificate courses and programs>>>

What can you expect from a certification program?

Most online certification programs are designed to provide you with the tools you need to enter a challenging technical career. Other certification programs identify you as a business or education professional with specialized knowledge or skills. Certification programs include technology and technical certification such as CISCO, CompTIA A+, Microsoft certification, Oracle certification, Sun certification, commercial driver's certification, court reporter, paralegal, massage therapist, physical trainer, teacher certification, and program management certification, among many other specialized certification programs.

Certification programs are usually of short duration, requiring no more than a year to complete, and in many cases just a few months. In a certification program you will take classes that provide you with specialized training, and complete hands-on projects. Many online certificate programs lead to a licensing exam you must pass in order to work in your chosen career. Others culminate in an exam offered by a professional organization that will identify you as a highly knowledgeable and skilled professional.

Online Certificate Programs - Specializations and Focus

Online certificate programs can be found in many career fields. Accredited online colleges focus on providing working people access to high-quality courses at any time of the day or night. You should be careful to make sure that the online certificate program you attend is accredited to ensure that your certificate will be accepted by employers and other colleges and universities, and to protect yourself against fraudulent certificate programs and diploma mills. Unfortunately, not all certification programs have organizations that offer accreditation, so you may have to do additional checking on the program on your own.

Medical Office Transcription Certificate Program - doctors are busy professionals and often do not have time to write down all of the information they gather on a patient and any recommendations they provide the patient. Instead, many physicians dictate into a recording device. Medical office transcriptionists listen to the recording and type the information into the appropriate forms and documents to keep accurate medical records. Medical office transcriptionists must be able to type rapidly, have knowledge of complex medical terminology, and be accurate and detail oriented to ensure patient records are correct. Many medical transcriptionists work from home.

Paralegal Certification Program - an online paralegal certificate program takes less than a year for most students. Paralegal training provides you with instruction in criminal law, tort law, family law, business law, and legal writing. Certified paralegals work in attorneys' offices preparing legal briefs, investigating the facts in a case, conducting legal research, and handling legal paperwork matters. Paralegals do not give legal advice nor do they represent clients in court. Paralegals are also employed by legal departments of businesses and by local, state, and federal governments.

Project Management Certificate Program (PMP) - online project/program management certification programs are designed to provide you with the training you need to guide complex projects and programs from inception to completion. Project management certification programs include coursework in cost/benefit analysis, project scheduling, personnel management, and strategic thinking. Program management certificates are awarded at several levels, depending upon your experience and level of training.

Teacher Certification Programs - many working professionals wish to pass on what they have learned to others at some point in their careers. Teacher certification programs, also known as alternative certification programs, are designed to provide working professionals who already possess at least a bachelor's degree with the training and skills needed in teaching theory and practice, classroom management, and legal and ethical issues in education to be effective teachers. AltCert programs, as they are known, require either internships in classroom settings, or on-the-job supervision and mentorship by an experienced classroom teacher.

Graduate/Post-graduate Certificate Programs - even if you possess a bachelor's degree or higher, you may still need a graduate or post-graduate certificate to meet professional development or continuing education requirements in your career. Certificates such as Supply Chain Manager, Professional in Human Resources, and Certified Public Account are just a few examples of the kinds of certificates you may need to advance your career in certain fields. Graduate and post-graduate certificates inform potential employers that you are a serious business professional possessing knowledge and skills that are in high demand.

Colleges & Universities offering Online Certificates and Certification Programs

Columbia Southern University

Accredited Online Certificate Programs

• Undergraduate Certificate in Fire Science
• Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Management
• Undergraduate Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health
• Advanced Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Management
• Advanced Undergraduate Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health
• Graduate Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health
• Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management

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Strayer University

Accredited Online Certification Programs

• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems (IS) - Computer Security
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems (IS) - Database Developer
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems (IS) - Database Management
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems (IS) - Homeland Security & Information Systems (IS)
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems (IS) - Internetworking Technology
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems (IS) - Networking
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems (IS) - Programming
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems (IS) - Security Administration
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Systems (IS) - Web Development
• Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting - Advanced Accounting
• Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting - Introductory Accounting
• Undergraduate Certificate in Business Administration - Acquisition & Contract Management
• Undergraduate Certificate in Business Administration - E-Business
• Undergraduate Certificate in Business Administration - Management
• Undergraduate Certificate in Business Administration - Small Business Management & Entrepreneurship

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Kaplan University

Accredited Online Certification Programs

• Cisco Networks Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Computer Forensics Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Correction Certificate
• Crime Scene Technician Certificate
• Human Resources Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Information Security Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Information Technology Pathway Certificate
• Internet Web Design Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Introduction to Computer Programming Language Certificate
• Linux System Administration Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Management and Supervision Certificate in Criminal Justice
• Microsoft Operating Systems Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• National Security Administration Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Nurse Informatics Certificate
• Oracle Database Administration Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Private Security Certificate

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Villanova University

Online Certificate Programs and Certification Courses

• Advanced Contract Management Certificate
• Essentials of Commercial Contracting Certificate
• Essentials of Government Contracting Certificate
• Master Certificate Contract Management Certificate
• Master Certificate in Government Contract Management
• Advanced Information Assurance & Security - Government
• Advanced Information Assurance and Security
• Advanced Master Certificate in IS/IT Project Management
• Essentials of Information Systems (IS) Security
• Master Certificate in Information Security Mgt - Government
• Advanced Master Certificate in Applied Project Management
• Advanced Strategic Project Management
• Essentials of Project Management
• Master Certificate Applied Project Management
• Master Certificate in IS/IT Project Management
• Mastering Project Management
• Maximizing IS/IT Team Effectiveness
• Maximizing Team Effectiveness
• PM Capstone Certificate
• PMP Exam Preparation Certificate
• Project Management for IS/IT Professionals
• Advanced Master Certificate in Lean Six Sigma
• Lean Master Black Belt Certification
• Lean Six Sigma Certification
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
• Master Certificate in Six Sigma Certification
• Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
• Six Sigma Green Belt - Financial Services Certificate
• Six Sigma Green Belt - Healthcare Certficiate
• Six Sigma Green Belt - Information Technology Certificate
• Essentials of Software Testing Certificate
• ISTQB Software Testing Capstone Certificate

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Post University

Online Certificate Programs and Certification Courses

• CPA Examination Preparation Accounting Certificate
• Certificate in Game Design and Animation
• Early Childhood Education Certificate
• Early Childhood Education Administration Certificate
• Finance Certificate
• Forensic Accounting Certificate
• Graduate Certificate in Finance
• Graduate Certificate in Performance Management Certificate
• H.R. Management Certificate
• Certificate in Paralegal Studies

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Techskills

Certification Programs by Distance Learning

• A+ Certification
• Cisco Certification
• Computer Networking Certificate
• Database Administration Certificate
• IT Security Certification
• Microsoft Certification
• Oracle Certification
• Software Development Certificate

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Keiser University eCampus

Certificate Course Online

• Certificate in Accounting

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Penn Foster

Online Undergraduate and Career Certification Courses

• Career Certificate Program - Animal Care: Dogs
• Career Certificate Program - Artist: Cartooning
• Career Certificate Program - Artist: Oil and Acrylics
• Career Certificate Program - Artist: Watercolors
• Career Certificate Program - Child Development Associate
• Career Certificate Program - Child Psychology
• Career Certificate Program - Crime Scene Investigation Basics
• Career Certificate Program - Fitness and Nutrition
• Career Certificate Program - Forensic Computer Examiner
• Career Certificate Program - Gourmet Cooking
• Career Certificate Program - Medical Coding and Billing
• Career Certificate Program - Medical Information Management
• Career Certificate Program - Medical Terminology
• Career Certificate Program - Medical Transcriptionist
• Career Certificate Program - PC Fundamentals
• Career Certificate Program - Pet Grooming
• Career Certificate Program - Photography Basics
• Career Certificate Program - Spanish
• Career Certificate Program - Sports and Nutrition
• Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting
• Undergraduate Certificate in Business Management
• Undergraduate Certificate in General Studies
• Undergraduate Certificate in Graphic Design
• Undergraduate Certificate in Human Resources

Search more colleges and universities offering certificates and certification courses and programs online>>>

Careers, Occupational Outlook and Salaries with a Certificate

Your certificate will open doors to you in a wide variety of careers. No matter which career field you choose, opportunities will exist in nearly every facet of both the public and private sectors. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that certificate holders in the technology, beauty, health and fitness, and medical fields can expect steady job growth over the next ten years.

Salaries for certificate holders vary widely, depending upon the certificate you hold, the industry you choose, and where you live. Certificate holders' salaries range from less than $20,000 for gaming dealers and manicurists/pedicurists, to over $60,000 for technicians who work on power generation facilities and their substations and power lines. Most certificate holders can expect to average between $30,000 and $45,000 per year.

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