Graduate Certificates - Worth the Money or Not?

[marianne202]

Ok so as I'm getting close to finishing my BSHS I've found a few graduate certificates that I would like to take. Are these worth the money? Has anyone done any of these? How do they get classified on a transcript and resume? Do you get a certificate of completion or what? I know that some jobs will require a degree and so many hours graduate work or courses and I'm wondering if this would apply. My main focus is staying with teaching so I'm not sure if I spend the money on these or just wait until I can get into and finish a masters program. I would really like to get some feedback from all you smart, helpful people here! Thanks! hilarious

[alleycat]

A certificate will be noted on your transcript as completed. You may and or should get some sort of diploma also. I think it would depend on what the concentration is in. I know several people that the extra grad stuff made a big difference for them with in their working situations. It was an add on to their degree.

[perrik]

Ok so as I'm getting close to finishing my BSHS I've found a few graduate certificates that I would like to take. Are these worth the money? Has anyone done any of these? How do they get classified on a transcript and resume? Do you get a certificate of completion or what? I know that some jobs will require a degree and so many hours graduate work or courses and I'm wondering if this would apply. My main focus is staying with teaching so I'm not sure if I spend the money on these or just wait until I can get into and finish a masters program. I would really like to get some feedback from all you smart, helpful people here! Thanks! hilarious

Graduate certificates are handy - it's like a mini-master's. They're particularly handy if your undergrad degree isn't related to your current or desired field, or if you just want a competitive edge.

The education section of your resume would read:

• Graduate Certificate in Something Or The Other, University of Whatever

• Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Excelsior College

Some of my target grad programs offer both a grad certificate and a MS, with the certificate program consisting of the core courses of the MS. Finish the certificate, and you're a third of the way through the MS!

And don't forget, if you're formally enrolled in a graduate certificate program, you are usually eligible for the same graduate financial aid as those enrolled in graduate degree programs.

[cookderosa]

Ok so as I'm getting close to finishing my BSHS I've found a few graduate certificates that I would like to take. Are these worth the money? Has anyone done any of these? How do they get classified on a transcript and resume? Do you get a certificate of completion or what? I know that some jobs will require a degree and so many hours graduate work or courses and I'm wondering if this would apply. My main focus is staying with teaching so I'm not sure if I spend the money on these or just wait until I can get into and finish a masters program. I would really like to get some feedback from all you smart, helpful people here! Thanks! hilarious

Regionally accredited schools require a masters degree in the field, or a masters in any field + 18 credits in the subject in order to teach that subject a the undergrad level.
So, pick something that is taught at your community college if you really want to bank on good utility. (for example, my masters degree will be liberal arts but the bulk of my grad credits will be in psychology, something every community college in the country offers- that way, no matter where I teach culinary arts, I'll always be able to pick up extra work teaching classes in the psych dept if needed. I would expect really high utility in the other areas like English, biology, sociology, history, etc since they are the bones of gen ed requirements for even AA/AAS/AS/AOS degrees)
I have found grad level work to be HARD and time consuming. Nothing like CLEPping or taking classes at TESC. Some certificates are equivalent to 1/2 a master's degree! That's a lot of work- so I would just suggest looking long term to decide if it meets your needs. Many certs do not transfer, and many master programs do not accept transfer credit (but some do).
-can I transfer the credit into a masters at this school or any other?
-will it help me land a teaching job outside my department?
-how much time will this take?
-what will be the cost (plus books)?
Another thing, sometimes you can enroll without applying- and that sometimes means not GRE testing, letters of intent, etc.