Best Business Certificate Programs

A certificate in business is not a degree; it typically requires fewer than 20 credit hours, which take a year at the longest to complete. However, an undergraduate business degree requires 120 credit hours and usually takes around four years to complete. Degree courses are primarily imparting business-specific knowledge, giving students skills and knowledge to use in a business environment. However, these courses also consist of general education requirements: courses in areas such as writing, history, and math.

Some bachelor's degree programs offer approximately one semester worth of elective courses that are up to a student's choosing. Different business programs may offer emphases based on these elective courses, such as in management or accounting. A bachelor's degree in business can qualify students for roles such as an operations manager, a financial analyst, a business consultant, or other careers available for those with a business degree.

Students desiring to quickly gain knowledge and skills in the areas of business, marketing, sales, or finance may find a certificate in business perfect for their needs. A certificate program in business is shorter than an undergraduate or even a master's in business, which saves these students both time and money over these alternatives as they take more condensed coursework over a shorter, more flexible period of time.

Certificates like these can qualify high-school graduates for jobs in business and are thus a way to get a foot in the door. They can also provide professionals with additional training to make them more valuable in the eyes of their employer, leading to more responsibilities or a promotion at work.

Since business is such a huge field, certificate programs in business can lead to a wide array of positions in almost any industry. Those without a degree might find more entry-level positions like bookkeeping clerks and sales reps, while those who choose a graduate business certificate (after earning a bachelor's degree) might pursue positions as chief executives, market analysts, financial planners or training and development specialists.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median wage for chief executives is $185,950, while training and development specialists make $62,700 annually. There are many other in-demand business jobs available.

Bookkeeping, Accounting, Or Auditing Clerks

These clerks work in business offices and utilize the finance and accounting skills that can be gained from a business certificate to perform accounting and office tasks within a business environment. These positions require computer and math skills, particular knowledge of the software relevant to a position, and additional post-high-school education, like a certificate in business. According to the BLS, clerks of this type have a median pay of $42,410 annually, roughly averaging to $20 an hour. The BLS projects a job outlook of -6% for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks.

Sales Representatives

Sales representatives meet with a business' clients, such as storefronts, government agencies, schools, or other organizations, and sell a business's goods. They rely on the skills found in marketing and communications courses from a certificate in business. For those not dealing with technical or scientific products (which often require a bachelor's degree in science), the BLS reports that the median pay for a sales representative is $62,070. Many times the pay of a sales representative is proportional to the sales they make, so salaries can vary depending on their aptitude. The BLS predicts a job outlook of 2% for sales representatives.

Personal Financial Advisors

Personal financial advisors can work for a finance company, an insurance company, or work independently as self-employed contractors to clients. They offer guidance and advice for an individual managing their personal finances. Because they meet with clients who often work during the day, many of their hours are during the night and weeks. A bachelor's degree is required for this position, and a graduate certificate can be useful. Personal financial advisors earn a median wage of $89,330 per year, according to the BLS.

After completing a business certificate program, students may consider pursuing one of many well-paying business degrees, including marketing, accounting, and finance. Depending on the school, some of the courses taken during a business certificate program can be transferred for credit toward an undergraduate degree. Some of these transferable courses are the required finance and management courses for certificates in business.

Bachelor's degrees cover areas of finance, management, and accounting in more depth, but they also include courses on ethics, supply-chain management, and information systems. If students complete an undergraduate degree in business, they may want to consider a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or the best PhDs for business.

A certificate program in business requires approximately four to six different business courses. Additionally, many programs require an internship or capstone project that will display a student's business aptitude and teach them skills in a specific sector or aspect of the field of business. Some certificate programs offer elective courses, allowing a student to focus on the aspects of business that are most relevant to them and their career goals. These courses give students knowledge about different elements of running a business, including the legal elements of a business, an overview of economic principles (particularly macroeconomics), and courses in basic accounting. However, there are some general courses that will be present in nearly all business certificate programs.

Management Courses

Management courses teach basic managerial skills such as organization, communication, leadership, and planning. Some courses may also delve into managerial ethics, managing human resources, strategic planning, and the behavior of individuals and groups in a hierarchical business structure. Students can also learn theories of business strategy that will put these concepts in a business context and prepare them for managerial roles.

Finance Courses

Financial courses have some amount of overlap with accounting courses. After taking these courses, students will understand concepts like assets, liabilities, interest, stocks, revenue, profit, and expenses, be able to analyze accounting information and understand financial statements (such as balance sheet income statements). These courses can also teach about financial disclosure and ethics, financial investment strategies, and international finance.

Marketing Courses

Marketing courses are designed to give students a greater understanding of the role of marketing in a business. Students learn about product development, marketing analytics, product promotion, advertising, sales, and even elements of public relations. These courses often rely on studying research and case studies to put forward the most effective marketing strategies.

The credit requirements for a certificate program are typically around 10-20 credit hours and cover either one or two semesters. However, some courses in certificate programs are designed to be taken sequentially. A certificate containing such courses may take more than one semester to complete. Many business certificates are designed for those already working in a business field, so many night classes are available, which can be helpful for those requiring more flexible schedules. However, since many courses are offered at a business college, daytime classes are available in many schools as well. With this flexibility, a certificate program in business can take as much time as a particular student needs.

A certificate program in business is a highly flexible program, so there are many factors for potential students to consider. The primary considerations are timing, costs, and desired outcomes. If a student is working or, on the other hand, hopes to finish a program quickly, the timing of classes, such as the availability of night classes, and the length of the program, whether one or two semesters, is particularly relevant. Potential students should also consider the cost of each program and ask themselves whether the benefits are worth the costs.

Perhaps the most significant factor is what a student hopes to be able to use their certificate for. They should consider what areas of business they wish to build a career in, such as marketing, finance, or sales, and choose a program that has high-quality courses in that area, as well as the potential to take many additional courses in that subject. If a student is already working in the business sector and hopes to be able to leverage a business certificate for a promotion or increase in salary, consulting their employer may lead to helpful insights as to which certificate programs are found to be valuable in their particular workplace.

While some programs don't have requirements for a student's current education status (beyond requiring the completion of a high-school degree), others only make their certificates available for students not currently pursuing a college degree. Still other programs require that students have already obtained an undergraduate degree. Because of this, students considering different business certificate programs should carefully read the requirements before applying to see if they qualify with their current levels of education.

Sometimes, a student will need to get into a school's college of business in order to start a business certificate program. The admissions process for business colleges usually requires the student's most recent transcript, an essay, and SAT or ACT scores. It is also to a student's advantage to submit materials showing an aptitude for business, such as leadership experience, high-level math courses, communication experience, or business skills gained as a treasurer or in other extracurricular roles.

In addition to an application fee or other school-related fees, the cost of a certificate program primarily depends on the school at which it is taken and the number of semesters or credits it contains. Some programs charge a flat fee, which could be anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $18,000 (typically at Ivy League or more 'prestigious' schools). For some programs, particularly those at business schools, tuition is charged on a per-credit basis and calculated based on the number of credits you take. For instance, a business school that charges $300 per credit hour and requires four, 3-credit courses would cost $3,600.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources for Certificate Programs

Students can pursue any number of merit- or need-based scholarships, grants, and other financial aid as they pursue their certificate in business. Students who work as they obtain their certification, which is common for a business certificate, can apply for work-study awards, which grant students aid based on their job title and hours worked. This aid can range anywhere from $600 to $2,800.

Any student with needs-based considerations should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many scholarships are available for students based on merit, including the Ellen and Roger Revelle Scholarship and the Stuart W. Murff Scholarship, which can award up to $5000.