are graduate certificates worth it

Are Graduate Certificates Worth It? What You Need To Know

After earning your bachelor’s degree and gaining some professional experience, you may find yourself wanting to take your education further. Whether you hope to qualify for more advanced roles, change careers completely, or specialize in a particular field, getting an additional credential like a master’s degree or graduate certificate can be a great next step.

Graduate certificates allow you to take graduate-level classes at accredited universities without committing to a full master’s program. Once you complete a set curriculum, usually 4-6 courses, you’ll receive a certificate to showcase your focused training. At some schools, credits from a graduate certificate can even count toward a future master’s degree.

So when considering graduate certificate vs master’s degree, think about your goals, budget, and timeline Graduate certificates offer quicker, more affordable, and targeted training, while master’s programs provide comprehensive education that takes 1-2 years to complete. Read on to learn the key differences and decide if a graduate certificate is worth it for you.

Graduate Certificate Benefits

While less intensive than a master’s, graduate certificates offer quite a few advantages:

• Faster timeline – Graduate certificates take 6 months to 1 year to complete, while master’s degrees take 1-2 years You’ll get skills and training more quickly

• Lower cost – Completing 4-6 certificate courses costs significantly less than the 10+ courses required for a master’s.

• Specialized focus – Certificates hone in on one subject area, allowing for niche training.

• Credits may count toward a master’s degree – Some graduate certificate credits can apply toward a future master’s program.

• Potential salary boost – Certificate holders can earn 13-25% more according to Forbes. Specialized skills are valuable.

• Added credentials – A graduate certificate stands out on a resume and can help qualify you for jobs.

• Try out graduate studies – Certificates allow you to experiment with advanced courses before pursuing a full master’s degree.

When Graduate Certificates Make Sense

Because of their expedited timeline and lower cost, graduate certificates tend to work best when:

• You want to specialize – Certificates build expertise in one specific subject area. Ideal for gaining niche skills.

• You need training quickly – Earning a certificate takes less than half the time of a master’s. Faster path to new skills.

• You want to expand your network – Certificate programs connect you with professors and peers in your field.

• You’re unsure about a master’s degree – Certificates allow you to sample grad school before committing to an expensive, intensive master’s program.

• You want a salary boost – Completing a graduate certificate can increase pay by over 10% according to research.

• Your employer requires training – Some jobs mandate certificates for promotions, specialized skills, or licensure.

• You want to change careers – Certificates enable career shifts by teaching new skillsets.

When Graduate Certificates Fall Short

Graduate certificates have clear benefits, but there are also some drawbacks to consider:

• Less thorough education – Master’s programs provide more in-depth training with 10+ courses. Certificates only offer 4-6 focused classes.

• Less prestige – Master’s degrees are more recognized and respected credentials. Certificates may hold less weight with some employers.

• Limited topics – While certificates deliver targeted knowledge, master’s programs expose you to the full breadth of a field.

• May not advance your career – Certificates don’t guarantee promotions or job qualification like master’s degrees sometimes do.

• Credits may not transfer – Only some graduate certificate credits can be applied toward future master’s programs.

• Higher cost per credit – Individual certificate courses often cost more per credit than tuition for a full master’s program.

When You Might Need a Master’s Degree Instead

For more comprehensive education and greater career advancement, a full master’s degree is often necessary:

• You want in-depth knowledge of a field – Master’s programs provide fuller understanding through expanded coursework.

• You hope to qualify for senior roles – Master’s degrees meet requirements for management, executive, and director positions.

• You plan to pursue a doctorate – Earning a master’s degree is a prerequisite for entering most PhD programs.

• Your industry demands a master’s – Fields like social work, psychology, and library science expect a master’s degree.

• You want higher salary potential – Master’s graduates can earn up to $30,000 more annually according to the AAUW.

• Prestige matters in your field – Degrees from highly respected universities hold weight with top employers.

• You want broader perspectives – Master’s programs expose you to the full scope of a discipline.

How to Decide Between a Graduate Certificate vs. Master’s Degree

Choosing between graduate certificates and master’s degrees takes some reflection on your goals:

• Why do you want to continue your education? Do you need comprehensive training or targeted skills?

• Does your desired job actually require an advanced degree? Or would niche knowledge suffice?

• What will give you a salary boost or promotion at your current job? Specialized expertise? Or broader leadership education?

• Do you want flexibility to change careers later on? The wider lens of a master’s degree may better enable pivots.

• Is prestige important? Degrees from top-tier universities carry more weight than certificates.

• How soon do you need new skills? Certificates take less than a year, while master’s programs take 1-2 years or longer.

• Can you handle a time and financial commitment? Full master’s degrees require more of both compared to certificates.

Weigh these factors thoughtfully and realistically. Your career aspirations, budget, and schedule can help determine if an accelerated, affordable graduate certificate offers sufficient value, or if the comprehensive education of master’s degree is necessary to meet your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Graduate Certificates

Here are some common questions prospective students have about graduate certificates:

Are graduate certificates worth it?

Graduate certificates can definitely be worth it for many professionals. They provide faster, cheaper, and more targeted training than master’s degrees. Certificate holders even earn up to 25% more according to Forbes. For advancing your current career or breaking into a new field, graduate certificates can deliver a high return on investment.

How much does a graduate certificate cost?

The cost of a graduate certificate varies depending on the university. On average, certificates range from $5,000-$19,000 total according to GraduatePrograms.com. This factors in discounted per-credit rates. Since certificates only require 4-6 courses, they are significantly less expensive than a 30+ credit master’s degree.

How long does it take to earn a graduate certificate?

Most graduate certificates take 6 months to 1 year to complete while enrolled part-time. This timeline allows working professionals to gain new skills without putting their career on hold for graduate school. By comparison, master’s degrees take 1-2 years of full-time study.

Do employers value graduate certificates?

Many employers do value graduate certificates, especially when the skills relate directly to the job. Specialized expertise in high demand fields like healthcare, technology, and business is attractive to hiring managers. However, some employers may still favor master’s degrees for management roles.

Are graduate certificates worth it for teachers?

Graduate certificates can benefit K-12 teachers by allowing them to specialize in areas like special education, educational technology, or curriculum development. This specialized training helps teachers earn a salary increase by demonstrating added expertise. Many states also require teachers to complete certificates or advanced coursework to renew their licenses or qualify for promotions.

The Bottom Line

While graduate certificates and master’s degrees advance your education beyond a bachelor’s degree, they vary significantly in scope, commitment required, and career impact.

Graduate certificates offer faster, cheaper, and more targeted training that can help you gain expertise in specialized niches to advance or pivot your career. But master’s degrees deliver deeper education and understanding of an entire academic or professional field – necessary for some careers and leadership roles.

Think carefully about your professional goals and which academic path best supports them. For many, graduate certificates provide sufficient value, saving time and money. But some careers require comprehensive education and training that only a full master’s degree program can adequately provide.