What's the Difference Between Certificate and Degree Programs?

There is a wide variety of types of postsecondary education programs. Learn more about the difference between certificate and degree programs to see what makes the most sense for you.

About Certificate and Degree Programs

Whether you want to expand your career skills or learn how to think clearly and critically, college can be a useful option. With so many programs available, though, it might be difficult to choose one. Both certificate and degree programs are designed to focus on and teach you about a specific subject. The education you'll receive in each type of program can prepare you to enter a career field or give you a competitive advantage in your current career.

There are differences between the two, however. In general, you could enter a certificate program if you want to learn a cluster of career-specific skills, while a degree program would be a good choice if you want a well-rounded education with the opportunity to specialize in a particular field. Certificate programs tend to be shorter, cost less, and cover a more specific range of subject matter.

Important Facts About Certificate and Degree Programs

	Degree	Certificate
Prerequisites	Generally carry academic requirements	May require professional and/or academic experience
Online Availability	Available	Available
Education Levels	Undergraduate and graduate available	Available at the undergraduate and graduate level; career prep and continuing education certificates also available

Difference Between Certificate and Degree Programs

Certificate vs Degree in Length

In general, a certificate program will take you less time to complete because you won't have to meet general education requirements in addition to subject-area requirements. For example, a certificate program in finance includes only classes directly related to finance, while a degree program in finance would include minimum requirements in English, math, science, and other generalized fields in addition to classes specifically about finance. You could potentially earn a certificate in less than a year, whereas you'd need at least two years to complete an associate's degree and four years for a bachelor's degree program. This is true with graduate-level certificates as well. Graduate certificates take less time to earn than master's or doctoral degrees, although you'll still need to hold a bachelor's degree to enter a graduate certificate program.

Certification vs Degree in Uses

You might enter a certificate program if you'd like to learn additional skills to change careers or update skills in your field. Certificate programs are very narrow in scope, focusing on a specific subject, like paralegal skills or business management. While degree programs also allow you to add to your current skill set, you'd be given a broader education, one that could prepare you for several careers instead of one specific position. Certificate programs are sometimes used by professionals to keep their licenses or certifications up to date as well.

Certificate vs Degree in Cost

Because you'll have to complete a smaller number of courses to earn a certificate, you probably won't pay as much tuition. Some programs also let you transfer some of your certificate credit into a degree program, which could save you money.

Diploma vs Degree

In length, a diploma is usually somewhere in between a certificate and a degree. It generally goes more in depth than a certificate, but does not have the broader range of education requirements that a degree has. Diplomas are generally more trade based or technical.