Do Undergraduate Certificates add any value?

[natshar]

I'm just curious if undergraduate certificates add any value in the real world?

I personally have one and it is in marketing and I haven't had much success in terms of getting jobs or anything with it.

But I don't have years of experience and knowledge and also I'm just one person. Just wanted to know if anyone else had any thoughts.

I was thinking of maybe earning a certificate or two along with my TESU degree, but now I'm thinking that seems pointless. But also I'm just curious about undergraduate certificates in general.

[sanantone]

There aren't many jobs that require an undergraduate or graduate certificate. Many times, people just need the additional credits, and it makes sense to just get the certificate. There are some cases when having a certificate is necessary to show employers that you meet the educational requirements. 

For example, you have a business administration degree without an accounting concentration. You want to apply for a job that requires an accounting or an equivalent degree. Putting an undergraduate certificate in accounting on your application might prevent the HR software from screening you out. If a human is reviewing your application, then he or she will likely come to the conclusion that a BBA plus an undergraduate certificate in accounting is equivalent to a BBA in accounting. 

In a small number of fields, the undergraduate certificate has more direct value. Many paralegals and legal assistants only have an undergraduate certificate in paralegal studies. Many have an unrelated bachelor's degree plus an undergraduate certificate in paralegal studies. So, you'll see many job ads in this field list an undergraduate certificate or a bachelor's degree plus an undergraduate certificate as an educational requirement.

[dfrecore]

In most instances, it's not of value - especially in and of itself. A certificate in Marketing isn't going to help much if you don't have a BSBA, for instance. Taking a few marketing courses isn't going to make you a top candidate for a marketing job, if they want a degree - a cert just isn't going to cut it. I don't think I've ever seen a company specifically ask for a marketing cert.

For some occupations, a cert is more than enough - they just want to know that you took all of the qualifications for the job. Many jobs in the medical field only require a cert for instance. But it's a terminal degree - meaning there isn't an AA or BA to get after that. For example, a Phlebotomist. You don't need an BA or even an AA to get a job. You just need to take the classes and pass an exam, and you get a certificate that you can then get a job with.

[sanantone]

In most instances, it's not of value - especially in and of itself.  A certificate in Marketing isn't going to help much if you don't have a BSBA, for instance.  Taking a few marketing courses isn't going to make you a top candidate for a marketing job, if they want a degree - a cert just isn't going to cut it.  I don't think I've ever seen a company specifically ask for a marketing cert.

For some occupations, a cert is more than enough - they just want to know that you took all of the qualifications for the job.  Many jobs in the medical field only require a cert for instance.  But it's a terminal degree - meaning there isn't an AA or BA to get after that.  For example, a Phlebotomist.  You don't need an BA or even an AA to get a job.  You just need to take the classes and pass an exam, and you get a certificate that you can then get a job with.

Do you mean a certificate or certification? You can earn a certificate in pharmacy tech at a college, and you can earn a certification in pharmacy tech from various organizations (PTCB is the only one that matters). The certification is what you really need to get a job and comply with state laws.

[cookderosa]

I'm just curious if undergraduate certificates add any value in the real world?

I personally have one and it is in marketing and I haven't had much success in terms of getting jobs or anything with it.

But I don't have years of experience and knowledge and also I'm just one person. Just wanted to know if anyone else had any thoughts.

I was thinking of maybe earning a certificate or two along with my TESU degree, but now I'm thinking that seems pointless. But also I'm just curious about undergraduate certificates in general.

Value-add in the real world? Impossible to say.

But, should you add one with your TESU degree?

I think that's a valid question, and my answer would be that most traditional college students have a major in something. A major would represent roughly 10 classes. A minor may represent 4-6, so a certificate that includes 4 classes would be similar in depth as a minor.

Now, if you take away the degree and ONLY come at a job with a certificate (of roughly 4 classes) you can see how that represents a lot less education than someone with a degree/major/minor - and when you compare that way, it looks a lot less useful. (that's a generalization of course)

In my opinion, a degree is the biggie- you want that. If you don't have a major, then certificates may fill that need, especially if they are specific to the kind of field you're really interested in.

Ex- degree in business with a major in marketing and a certificate in social media marketing.

That string of credentials would show me exactly what kind of specialization you have and what kind of job you want.

[Life Long Learning]

I'm just curious if undergraduate certificates add any value in the real world?

I personally have one and it is in marketing and I haven't had much success in terms of getting jobs or anything with it.

But I don't have years of experience and knowledge and also I'm just one person. Just wanted to know if anyone else had any thoughts.

I was thinking of maybe earning a certificate or two along with my TESU degree, but now I'm thinking that seems pointless. But also I'm just curious about undergraduate certificates in general.

Value-add in the real world? Impossible to say.  

But, should you add one with your TESU degree?  

I think that's a valid question, and my answer would be that most traditional college students have a major in something.  A major would represent roughly 10 classes.  A minor may represent 4-6, so a certificate that includes 4 classes would be similar in depth as a minor.  

Now, if you take away the degree and ONLY come at a job with a certificate (of roughly 4 classes) you can see how that represents a lot less education than someone with a degree/major/minor - and when you compare that way, it looks a lot less useful.  (that's a generalization of course)

In my opinion, a degree is the biggie- you want that.  If you don't have a major, then certificates may fill that need, especially if they are specific to the kind of field you're really interested in.  

Ex- degree in business with a major in marketing and a certificate in social media marketing.

That string of credentials would show me exactly what kind of specialization you have and what kind of job you want.

I have seen a few colleges starting to use “Certificates” as stackable credentials building to a degree in all three levels (AS, BS, MS).   These are the neatest versions.
 
I have numerous professional “Certifications” with continuing education requirements.  I find undergraduate Certificates a very useful focus for these and not just talking random courses without any credentials.  I call this a two for one deal.
 
I find undergraduate Certificates a useful focus for Life Long Learning.  

[bjcheung77]

Natalie, I would think a certificate will get the ball rolling in many occasions, it's not the "ideal solution" for the future, but for the "right now" crowd. If I was in your shoes, I would work on three things - the same three I tell everyone. 1) Certificate 2) Degree, 3) Experience

1) Certificates/Certifications - these are the credentials for those smaller commitments/educational hurdles to get a better/faster paycheck or raise. These are the things that get you in the door for entry level and let you go beyond that first step. I've been upgrading myself with cheap biz & it certificates/certifications.

2) Degree - longer-term commitment/educational goal that will get you to the place you want to be in down the road. Even those check in the box degrees (like a BALS no concentration) is required for most companies, since you have a couple of Associates, working on the Bachelors is a no-brainer to get up that corp ladder.

3) Experience - in order to get into the "ideal" position you want, they look at the experience portion. This is what I tell people to work on most if they're at a younger age. Individuals can pursue their educational goals while getting the exp they need by doing co-ops, or working f/t and getting an online education by test-out or competency-based programs.

[natshar]

In most instances, it's not of value - especially in and of itself.  A certificate in Marketing isn't going to help much if you don't have a BSBA, for instance.  Taking a few marketing courses isn't going to make you a top candidate for a marketing job, if they want a degree - a cert just isn't going to cut it.  I don't think I've ever seen a company specifically ask for a marketing cert.

For some occupations, a cert is more than enough - they just want to know that you took all of the qualifications for the job.  Many jobs in the medical field only require a cert for instance.  But it's a terminal degree - meaning there isn't an AA or BA to get after that.  For example, a Phlebotomist.  You don't need an BA or even an AA to get a job.  You just need to take the classes and pass an exam, and you get a certificate that you can then get a job with.

Yeah for sure I already knew about skills certificates that get you a job without a degree. My CC had a bunch of them in fields like construction, video production, dental assisting, medical billing, etc. I know they can be good for someone doesn't want to waste their time with gen eds and get right to work.

But I was more focusing this post on getting certificate in addition to a Bachelors degree.

Truth is my certificate was only 12 credits, 4 courses. And I CLEP'ed out of one, substituted one for a course having nothing to do with marketing, and one was taught by the worst teacher I ever had and I didn't learn a thing. So I don't think my knowledge in marketing is that great.

[videogamesrock]

Certificates on their own add little value, but they are good at boosting a BA/BS. Let's say you have a management degree but also completed certificates in accounting and finance. That would help.

[Ideas]

Someone on this forum (davewill?) does hiring and said that a certificate in something is better than an Associates in that, because certificates require UL courses and Associate degrees don't.

I think that a certificate with a BSBA is similar to adding a concentration, although not quite as good as a concentration.

---

Truth is my certificate was only 12 credits, 4 courses. And I CLEP'ed out of one, substituted one for a course having nothing to do with marketing, and one was taught by the worst teacher I ever had and I didn't learn a thing. So I don't think my knowledge in marketing is that great.

Yeah, true, some certificates are even less than 12 credits. But others are 15, 18, or more credits.

Even if you don't know too much, I think it shows that you have some interest and aptitude for learning the subject.