Certificate programs are beyond a high school diploma. They are skills-based and designed to prepare you for today’s competitive workforce; designed for you to develop or strengthen specific career skills. Whatever your goals, and your career choice, these programs will equip you with the hands-on tools of the trade and industry experience that employers are looking for.
Some programs provide specialized training and skills for people who already have diplomas or degrees. Others are for those who want to quickly complete a program that leads to a promotion or a specific job. Unlike bachelor’s degrees, a certificate program typically takes between three and seven months or one year, whereas a bachelor’s degree takes about four years of full-time study to complete.
Although half of the jobs in the US require some kind of degree, be it an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate. Nevertheless, a certificate program can be a useful credential to list on your resume in addition to your degree. Certificate programs have many benefits such as:
- Studying a focused topic in a shorter time frame than earning a degree
- Earn an affordable higher education experience to add to their resume
- Maintain their edge in the job market
- Increasing Your Income Earning Potential
- Grow in Your Skills and Knowledge
- Focus on Specific Areas of Improvement
- Enjoy a Positive Career Impact
Top 170 Certificate Programs in the US
In alphabetical order
- Accounting Technology / Technician and Bookkeeping
- Accounting and Related Services
- Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science
- Aesthetician / Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist
- Aircraft Powerplant Technology / Technician
- Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology / Technician
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
- Applied Horticulture / Horticulture Operations
- Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD / CADD
- Autobody / Collision and Repair Technology / Technician
- Automobile / Automotive Mechanics Technology / Technician
- Automotive Engineering Technology / Technician
- Baking and Pastry Arts / Baker / Pastry Chef
- Banking and Financial Support Services
- Barbering / Barber
- Bartending / Bartender
- Blood Bank Technology Specialist
- Building / Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection
- Building / Property Maintenance and Management
- Business / Office Automation / Technology / Data Entry
- Business Operations Support and Secretarial Services
- Business and Personal / Financial Services Marketing Operations
- CAD / CADD Drafting and / or Design Technology / Technician
- Cabinetmaking and Millwork / Millwright
- Cardiovascular Technology / Technologist
- Carpentry / Carpenter
- Child Care Provider / Assistant
- Cinematography and Film / Video Production
- Clinical / Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Clinical / Medical Laboratory Technician
- Commercial and Advertising Art
- Communications Technologies / Technicians and Support Services
- Communications Technology / Technician
- Computer Engineering Technology / Technician
- Computer Installation and Repair Technology / Technician
- Computer Programming / Programmer
- Computer Programming, Specific Applications
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
- Computer Technology / Computer Systems Technology
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
- Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer and Information Systems Security
- Construction / Heavy Equipment / Earthmoving Equipment Operation
- Construction Trades
- Cooking and Related Culinary Arts
- Corrections
- Cosmetology / Cosmetologist
- Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts
- Cosmetology, Barber / Styling, and Nail Instructor
- Court Reporting / Court Reporter
- Criminal Justice / Safety Studies
- Culinary Arts / Chef Training
- Culinary Arts and Related Services
- Customer Service Support / Call Center / Teleservice Operation
- Data Entry / Microcomputer Applications
- Data Processing and Data Processing Technology / Technician
- Dental Assisting / Assistant
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography / Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
- Diesel Mechanics Technology / Technician
- Diver, Professional and Instructor
- Drafting and Design Technology / Technician
- Electrical / Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair
- Electrical / Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologies / Technicians
- Electrical and Power Transmission Installation / Installer
- Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology / Technician
- Electromechanical Technology / Electromechanical Engineering Technology
- Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance)
- Emergency Medical Technology / Technician (EMT Paramedic)
- Engineering Technology
- English Language and Literature
- Entrepreneurship / Entrepreneurial Studies
- Executive Assistant / Executive Secretary
- Facial Treatment Specialist / Facialist
- Farm / Farm and Ranch Management
- Fire Protection and Safety Technology / Technician
- Fire Science / Fire-fighting
- Food Preparation / Professional Cooking / Kitchen Assistant
- Foodservice Systems Administration / Management
- Forensic Science and Technology
- General Office Occupations and Clerical Services
- Graphic Design
- Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator Production
- Ground Transportation
- Hair Styling / Stylist and Hair Design
- Health Aide
- Health Information / Medical Records Administration / Administrator
- Health Information / Medical Records Technology / Technician
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
- Health Services / Allied Health / Health Sciences
- Health Unit Coordinator / Ward Clerk
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology / Technician (ACH / ACR / ACHR / HRAC / HVAC / AC Technology)
- Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology / Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
- Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology / Technician
- Home Health Aide / Home Attendant
- Hospitality Administration / Management
- Hotel / Motel Administration / Management
- Industrial Electronics Technology / Technician
- Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology
- Industrial Production Technologies / Technicians
- Instrumentation Technology / Technician
- Interior Design
- Interior Design, Housing and Human Environments
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping
- Legal Administrative Assistant / Secretary
- Legal Assistant / Paralegal
- Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse Training (LPN, LVN, Cert, Dipl, AAS)
- Lineworker
- Machine Shop Technology / Assistant
- Machine Tool Technology / Machinist
- Management Information Systems
- Marine Maintenance / Fitter and Ship Repair Technology / Technician
- Marine Science / Merchant Marine Officer
- Marketing / Marketing Management
- Mason / Masonry
- Massage Therapy / Therapeutic Massage
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies / Technicians
- Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD / CADD
- Medical / Clinical Assistant
- Medical Administrative / Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary
- Medical Insurance Coding Specialist / Coder
- Medical Insurance Specialist / Medical Biller
- Medical Office Assistant / Specialist
- Medical Office Management / Administration
- Medical Radiologic Technology / Science – Radiation Therapist
- Medical Reception / Receptionist
- Medical Transcription / Transcriptionist
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
- Metal and Jewelry Arts
- Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technology / Technician
- Nail Technician / Specialist and Manicurist
- Natural Sciences
- Nurse / Nursing Assistant / Aide and Patient Care Assistant
- Office Management and Supervision
- Operations Management and Supervision
- Personal Services
- Pharmacy Technician / Assistant
- Phlebotomy / Phlebotomist
- Photography
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Pipefitting / Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter
- Plumbing Technology / Plumber
- Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies
- Psychiatric / Mental Health Services Technician
- Radio and Television
- Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology / Technician
- Radiologic Technology / Science – Radiographer
- Real Estate
- Recording Arts Technology / Technician
- Respiratory Care Therapy / Therapist
- Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management / Manager
- Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations
- Security and Loss Prevention Services
- Selling Skills and Sales Operations
- Sheet Metal Technology / Sheetworking
- Sign Language Interpretation and Translation
- Small Business Administration / Management
- Small Engine Mechanics and Repair Technology / Technician
- Substance Abuse / Addiction Counseling
- Surgical Technology / Technologist
- Surveying Technology / Surveying
- System Administration / Administrator
- Teacher Assistant / Aide
- Truck and Bus Driver / Commercial Vehicle Operation
- Veterinary / Animal Health Technology / Technician and Veterinary Assistant
- Web Page, Digital / Multimedia and Information Resources Design
- Welding Technology / Welder
- Work and Family Studies
What’s up, I enjoy reading your blog! I really agree with this as I work as a pharmacy and insurance liaison for a BPO provider.
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Hi, I am an avid reader of your website! I can totally relate to your point as I work as a medical assistant for a BPO provider.
Hi, I enjoy reading your blog! I can totally relate to your point as I am currently employed as an EMR manager for a full-service BPO company.