What is an Undergraduate Certificate?

<p>Undergraduate certificate programs are designed to offer students the chance to enroll in a group of related classes. It is important to note how these programs are different from traditional degree programs. For instance, an undergraduate certificate program may pull courses together from a variety of disciplines in order to form a coherent theme, or the program may offer classes that all focus on a specific academic or technical field. Many students choose to pursue undergraduate certificate programs while concurrently working on a traditional undergraduate degree, while others choose certificate programs instead of lengthier undergraduate degree programs. Having undergraduate certificates in a particular field may benefit students when searching for employment. Many of these certificate programs can be completed entirely online. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutUndergraduateCertificates"> Important Facts about Undergraduate Certificates</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Program Goals</td><td> Technical and vocational training, teacher training, continuing education, among others</td></tr> <tr><td>Online Availability</td><td> Many fully-online and hybrid programs are available</td></tr> <tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td> High school diploma or GED</td></tr> <tr><td>Program Length </td><td> One or two semesters is the average length</td></tr> <tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td>$78,060 <i>(Technical Writers)</i></td></tr> <tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td>6% growth <i>(Technical Writers)</i></td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i> </p> <h3 id="section---TechnicalPreparation">Technical Preparation</h3> <p>Undergraduate certificate programs are an option for students who wish to become proficient in a technical field without committing to a full-length degree program. Many such programs are offered at two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The undergraduate certificate in technical communication at Minnesota State University, for example, aims to prepare students for a variety of communications-related positions. The program requires students to complete three core courses and then allows them to choose three elective courses that include desktop publishing, online documentation, and proposals. </p> <h3 id="section---InterdisciplinaryPrograms">Interdisciplinary Programs</h3> <p>Most undergraduate certificate programs encourage students to create their own curriculum by choosing courses from many disciplines that will serve a common goal. For example, students who major in neuroscience may choose to complete a related undergraduate certificate program to show that they have studied a wide range of subjects relating to their field. This interdisciplinary aspect is often at the center of undergraduate certificate programs.</p>