By DeVry University
February 22 2022
5 min read
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February 22 2022
5 min read
It’s no surprise that online college programs are growing in popularity. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, more people are taking advantage of online education and more institutions are joining the world of online learning than ever before.
At DeVry, we've spent decades helping students gain access to high quality online programs. Because of our experience in the world of online education, we can help you answer your questions about finding the best online certificate programs for you.
In this article, we'll explore what an online college certificate program is and gain an understanding of what makes a popular online college certificate program in the following sections:
An online college certificate program is a series of online courses that can help you gain specialized knowledge and skills in a specific area of study to help you prepare to pursue a career in that field. A certificate program also typically runs shorter than your average associate or bachelor’s degree program.
While certificate programs are similar to degree programs in that they are both academic credentials, they represent two different levels of achievement. Another primary difference between an online certificate program and an online degree program is the structure of the course load you take. A certificate program tends to have a more subject-focused course load and typically contains fewer courses than degree programs. Conversely, a degree program will include courses that are focused specifically on your area of interest, but also contains general education courses that are intended to give you a more well-rounded education experience.
When determining the best online college certificate program for you, you might think that choosing the most popular program would be the best choice. However, what makes something “popular” can mean different things to different people. Popularity may be based on personal interests, industry growth or career potential, among other things.
A better approach is to start by analyzing various online college certificate programs. Does the program interest you? What career opportunities can it help you prepare for? Are there relevant job opportunities in your area? Evaluating a program based on these factors can help you determine if it might be the right choice for you – regardless of popularity.
To help you get started, here’s an overview of some of the undergraduate certificate programs offered here at DeVry:
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