Graduate Certificates are confusing to some because they are not degrees and do not come with a diploma. They are often completed within a year and specialize their focus on a specific field. To gain a full understanding of the difference between degrees and certificates watch the following video explaining the key differences.
Now, why do universities like Lenoir-Rhyne and Appalachian State offer these certificate programs when they already offer a full gamut of degree programs? They offer these programs for two reasons: to provide residents and students of the community with a wider range of educational tools to obtain the aforementioned job advancements or career changes, and they offer these programs to tap into a larger market for additional revenues. LR offers post-baccalaureate programs in accounting, healthcare admin, Dietetics, Christian counseling, community college admin, college teaching, narrative medicine and religious studies (The Graduate Program, pg. 2-3). Many of these programs are also offered as full degree programs as well. This provides the university with additional revenue sources similar to Workforce Development at the community college level. With so many options for people to educate and market themselves in todays economy, it has never been a better time for people to find the perfect career through the most efficient means possible.
References
(2015). Retrieved October 4, 2015, from http://registrar.lr.edu/sites/registrar.lr.edu/files/LR Graduate Catalog 2015-2016 SECTION 1 GRAD PROGRAMS_B.pdf
Degree vs Certificate Programs - Which should you choose? (2014, August 25). Retrieved October 4, 2015
Administering a Graduate Certificate Program. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2015.
Logan,
ReplyDeleteI find this topic degrees vs Graduate Certificates as a very interesting topic. I can see why Lenoir-Rhyne University has both graduate programs and graduate certificate programs. Not only is LRU a University that has a growing number of undergraduate degree programs, but graduate program opportunities are growing as well. For financial reasons I can see why universities would offer a program like graduate certificates to people for extra revenue for the University. However, the other side of it is the person deciding which is better a masters degree or a graduate certificate? Do I really have the money to pay for a masters degree? This article link http://www.bankrate.com/finance/jobs-careers/masters-degree-or-graduate-certificate.aspx is a great resource for people to see which is better. "Master's degrees and graduate certificates can make a lot of sense for different candidates. In fact, many will pursue both these things and often at the same time," says Jon Frank, CEO of Admissionado, an MBA application consulting and mentoring service (Duffy, 2012).
"A master's degree is typically a two-year, full-time commitment beyond a bachelor's degree in a field of study. Students can obtain a Master of Arts or Science or a degree that is more specialized, such as a master of social work, or MSW, or a Master of Business Administration, or MBA "(Duffy, 2012). "On the other hand, a graduate certificate -- also called a diploma -- is a short program of study in a particular subject. It typically consists of three to seven courses, which can be completed in a year or less, Frank says. To qualify for a graduate certificate, you must already have a bachelor's degree, though some colleges will waive this requirement if you have relevant work experience" (Duffy, 2012).
As this article suggests I think it is up to what each individual person wants and needs at the time. It ultimately comes down to finances and what degree programs an individual is looking at.
Reference:
Duffy, M.P., (2012, Jul 23). Master's degree or graduate certificate? Retrieved from http://www.bankrate.com/finance/jobs-careers/masters-degree-or-graduate-certificate.aspx
Alison,
ReplyDeleteGraduate certificate programs have several uses: (1) they allow someone who wants to "test the waters" of grad courses, proving to themselves they can do the work; (2) they provide an option for those who already have completed a grad degree but want to take additional courses that do not lead to a second degree; (3) local business/industry/organizations request a certificate for workforce training purposes.