What is the difference between a certificate and a degree

Table of Contents Show

What’s the Difference Between a Certificate and an Associate’s Degree?
Three differences Between Associate Degree Programs and Certificate Programs
Should I get a certificate or an associate degree?
Related Articles
Specific, Focused Career Study With a Professional Certificate
Explore Certificates and Degrees
Deep, Diverse Options With Degree Programs
Which Option Is Right for Me?
Request more information about Tulane SoPA's programs and admissions process
Is IT better to get a certificate or a degree?
Is a certificate equal to a degree?
Why certificates are better than degrees?
Is getting a certificate worth IT?

Many students enter the continuing education arena with the belief that an associate degree program and a certificate program are the same thing. While associate degree programs may prepare a student to obtain certification in their chosen area or career field, it is not the same thing as a certificate program.

What’s the Difference Between a Certificate and an Associate’s Degree?

In general, an associate degree encompasses a varied educational platform that requires courses specific to your degree concentration in addition to general education courses. Certificate degrees are extremely focused in their objective(s) and are related to a specific job or career niche.

Besides this general difference, there are three main differences between the two: the requirements to begin the program, the length of time towards completion, and the number of transferable education units earned at the end of the program.

Three differences Between Associate Degree Programs and Certificate Programs

Requirements for acceptance: In most cases, a certificate program will have one or more requirements before a candidate may be accepted. Depending on the focus of the certification, applicants may need to have a certain level of career experience or educational experience before they can be admitted into the program. Associate degree programs differ in the sense that anyone with a high school diploma, or who has passed the General Education Development (GED) test, may begin an AA program.

Length of time towards completion: While there are exceptions, in most cases it takes students one year (two semesters) to complete a certificate program. As mentioned above, the programs are tailored to individuals who already have specific academic and/or experiential knowledge of the subject. Certificate programs provide additional focused education, and further training, towards a measurable level of competence as a certificated “expert” in the subject. Certificates are often obtained as an add-on to an associate degree.

Associate degree programs require two years of full-time classroom attendance in order to complete a degree. Depending on the educational facility’s schedule, students complete the classes by quarter or semester, so it takes eight quarters or four semesters to receive an associate’s degree. While an associate program may allow you to choose a specific area of focus, such as accounting, or IT, it is a platform for furthering your education and requires a host of general education courses as well.

Education units earned at the end of the program: A certificate program may or may not provide you with transferable education units, and therefore may not put you in position to further your education if that is your ultimate goal. For example, if you have been working in an office as a bookkeeper, you may be able to begin a bookkeeping certification program with a few online classes, your current work experience, and the completion of an exam. But should you desire to continue to receive your associate degree or bachelor degree, your certification courses may not count in an accredited university system.

An associate degree program at an accredited college is structured in such a way that students can use those credits to continue their education, pursuing a bachelors or master’s degree immediately, or using the credits to transfer into a different school/program. Students who have achieved an associate’s degree will have completed units from a comprehensive course list, rather than a single subject area.

Should I get a certificate or an associate degree?

A certificate is generally obtained as an add-on to an associate degree, and usually requires some career or educational experience to be admitted to the program. An associate degree only requires a high school diploma or completion of the General Education Development (GED) test.

For further clarification regarding whether or not an associate degree program is right for you, contact the admissions counselors at Bryant & Stratton College.

Request more information about Bryant & Stratton College.

You've decided to further your education, but you're not sure what type of program is right for you. Understanding the differences between a degree and a professional certificate can help ensure that your investment in your future aligns with your ultimate goals.

Specific, Focused Career Study With a Professional Certificate

A professional certificate program usually consists of focused training for a specific career, such as a health care technologist or auto mechanic. Alternatively, you can earn a certificate in an area that will bolster your existing career, such as security management or communications and media studies. Most certificate programs last less than two years. They do not result in a college degree, but depending on your specific certificate area you may be able to receive a state license for your profession.

Undergraduate certificate programs are designed for students who have not yet earned a college degree, while graduate certificate programs are taken in lieu of or along with graduate degree programs. Some certificate programs may be stacked in order to apply credits toward an eventual master's degree.

Explore Certificates and Degrees

Deep, Diverse Options With Degree Programs

This broad category includes associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as Ph.D. programs. These options can be used to prepare for almost any type of career, and each has its own admission and graduation requirements. Associate's degrees can usually be earned in two years of full-time study, while a bachelor's degree typically takes four years. Master's and Ph.D. programs tend to be more open-ended and start at two years depending on the course of study.

Which Option Is Right for Me?

In general, you should choose a certificate program when you have a specific field of study in mind that can be entered with a professional certificate. This is best when you already have a degree or a degree is not required by the profession in question. Degree programs can prepare you for careers that require education beyond a certificate. While they represent a larger investment of money and time, they also often cast a wider net of opportunities and options if you are not yet sure of your career path.

While you're doing the research necessary to choose your path, explore the variety of degree and certificate programs available through the Tulane School of Professional Advancement. When you're ready to reach out, complete our online form to request more information and schedule a campus visit.

Request more information about Tulane SoPA's programs and admissions process

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Is IT better to get a certificate or a degree?

Whether you pursue a certificate or a degree might depend on your education and career goals. A degree can often provide you with more opportunities and higher salaries than a certificate. You might also earn a certificate to give you the foundation and prerequisites needed to get a degree.

Is a certificate equal to a degree?

While certificates do not result in a degree, they are also awarded at undergraduate and graduate levels. And, at some universities, the credits earned through a certificate can be later applied toward earning a degree.

Why certificates are better than degrees?

Certificate programs can be more flexible and less costly than a traditional bachelor's or master's degree. You won't need to fulfill the general education requirements that are part of a traditional bachelor's degree program. And some certificate courses can later be applied to a bachelor's or master's degree.

Is getting a certificate worth IT?

Certifications can give you the chance to learn needed skills, and be a quick way to show employers you have those skills. On the other hand, certifications can require studying or coursework, and cost up to several hundred dollars to take.