Courses, Classes, & Certificate Programs
Explore individual courses, classes, and certificate options that help you build targeted skills, deepen subject knowledge, or prepare for career-focused learning without committing to a full degree.
Courses, classes, and certificate programs give you flexible ways to learn new skills or strengthen what you already know. These options work well if you want short, focused training that fits around your schedule and supports personal or professional growth.
Whether you’re exploring a new interest, preparing for an entry-level role, or expanding your qualifications, these learning pathways offer practical experiences at a manageable pace. Many are available online or in hybrid formats, making them accessible for working adults.
What Courses, Classes, and Certificates Usually Include
Most courses and classes are designed to teach specific skills or topics through structured lessons, assignments, and hands-on practice. You may find introductory classes that help you learn the basics or more advanced options that support career development.
Certificate programs typically go a step further by combining multiple courses into a sequence that builds deeper knowledge. These programs often prepare you for industry-recognized credentials or help you demonstrate expertise in a specialized area.
Popular Subjects for Courses and Certificates
You can find courses and certificate programs across a wide range of subjects, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore new fields or reinforce existing strengths. Common areas of study include:
- computer science and information technology
- business administration and management
- health care support and medical office skills
- education and early childhood training
- marketing and communication
- design and creative arts
- skilled trades and technical fields
- personal and professional development
These options make it easier to learn at your own pace while building skills that can support your long-term goals.
Why These Learning Options Are Valuable
Short-term learning pathways offer a practical alternative to full degree programs, especially if you want to upskill quickly or test out a new career interest. They provide focused instruction that helps you gain confidence without a major time or financial commitment.
Many learners also use courses and certificates to qualify for new responsibilities at work or to prepare for industry exams. Because these options are typically accessible year-round, they give you the flexibility to continue learning whenever you are ready.
Explore Resources on Courses, Classes, and Certificates
If you’re interested in expanding your skills, the resources on this page can introduce you to learning options that match your goals. They highlight flexible pathways that support personal growth, professional development, and career exploration.
Explore the career requirements for Minimum Data Set (MDS) certification. Get the facts about job duties, education requirements, professional licensure and the employment outlook to determine if this is the right field for you.
ESL stands for English as a Second Language, and an individual with ESL certification helps others learn how to speak, read and write in English. Certified ESL instructors are typically trained and licensed elementary or high school teachers. Becoming certified as an ESL teacher requires completing a teacher education program.
As an HR professional with a college degree and on-the-job experience, you may be interested in taking your career to the next level by obtaining certification through a professional or trade organization. Keep reading to learn about HR certification and certification program options.
Many colleges offer online certificate programs that accept financial aid. These FAFSA-approved online certificate programs can help you get started in specialized careers quickly.
Learn about ways you can study artificial intelligence (AI) at a very low cost--or even for free--through a number of programs and scholarships from tech firms and universities.
Affordable online certificates in industrial and organizational psychology can help you better understand workplace dynamics and organizational behavior.
There are four types of substitute teacher certifications, or permits, in Michigan. Each one has distinct requirements. This article provides information about all the different permits and how to get them.
This article details some of the best online early childhood education courses to help aspiring educators and childcare providers develop essential skills.
Explore a variety of top UX design certificate programs that can improve skills and knowledge in user experience design, while also boosting career prospects.
Business communications courses come in a variety of formats and specialties. We highlight 10 online courses available through colleges and education platforms.
Organizational leadership courses and certificate programs can help you hone your leadership skills, and you can complete these programs in an online format.
Pay-as-you-go college courses free students from long-term commitments while making progress on educational goals. This list of provides many pay-as-you-go options.
Students can pursue online cyber intelligence courses at various schools and remote learning platforms. These courses help learners develop marketable skills.
Individuals looking to earn ESL teaching certification in Michigan will need to fulfill certain requirements. Continue reading to learn about the education and testing for the ESL endorsement.
English teachers for non-native speakers will need to complete a few extra steps before they can earn a license in their area. Learn more about the academic requirements to teach English as a second language and which exam you need to pass for licensing requirements.
ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers are also called ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) teachers in New York. Learn how to get certified to teach this subject in the state.
There are two options to gaining a certificate in Nebraska to work as a substitute teacher. Continue reading for more information on the education and certification requirements.
Substitute teachers in Louisiana do not have a state certification requirement, but each school district has its own unique list of qualifications. Pay schedules and rates can also be decided by each district.
Discover all the necessary requirements to substitute teach in the state of Pennsylvania. Learn more on the certification, background clearances, and continuing education required in pursuing this role.
Discover all the necessary steps to become a certified social worker, including education, field experience, exams, and ongoing professional development.
Learning how to manufacture and work with semiconductors can lead to in-demand roles in the semiconductor supply chain. One way to do this is through courses and certificate programs.
Those who want to start their careers in cybersecurity or fine-tune their knowledge in the field can do so via online cybersecurity courses with certificates.
This article outlines some of the best elementary education graduate certificate programs to help students gain licensure and pursue teaching careers.
Students who want to learn software engineering can do so through short-term software engineering bootcamps, which are offered both online and in person.
Freight broker classes cover topics like laws and regulations, marketing and sales and customer relations, which can be helpful to people who are preparing for a career as a freight broker.
A community health assessment course is usually part of the curriculum of a formal program related to community or public health. In this course, students might learn how to analyze and mitigate a community's health problems. Read on for information about the topics covered in a community health assessment course.
College-level courses in criminal justice instruct students in a variety of materials related to law enforcement, criminology and the court system. This article discusses topics covered in many of these classes.
College-level early childhood education classes (ECE) focus on topics related to child development, social skills, safety and nutrition. Students can learn about the theories behind early childhood education and discover how curricula are developed for children under the age of eight. Continue reading to find out what topics are covered in early childhood education college classes.
An introductory astronomy course covers topics such as the sun, stars and the planets. Students taking an introductory astronomy class learn about the physical universe through class lectures and labs.
In an introductory chemistry class, students learn basic chemistry knowledge and skills, like properties of solids, liquids and gases, chemical bonding and radioactivity. Students taking an introductory chemistry class may be majoring in chemistry, a science field, health care field or any other subject. Continue reading for more information about what you can learn in an introductory chemistry class.
Diesel mechanics are responsible for the diagnosis and service of vehicles with diesel engines, including buses, trucks, bulldozers and cranes. Read on to learn about online training programs for aspiring diesel mechanics.
General education courses are courses, outside of the student's field of study, that he or she must complete in order to obtain a degree. The purpose of general education courses is to expand students' perspectives and improve their skills in analytical and critical thinking.
In the broadest sense, a training certificate is a document certifying that the holder has taken a specific course of training. Read on to learn more about the types of training certificates.
Find out which California schools offer degree programs in social work. See requirements, prerequisites, and school information for schools in the state.
Find out which schools in California offer teaching certificate programs along with program requirements and school information on both bachelor's degree and master's degree programs.
Abnormal psychology deals with mental abnormalities, such as neuroses, psychoses and mental disabilities. Read on to find out what other topics are covered in an abnormal psychology course.
There are various Google Ads Certifications available via Skillshop that are completely free to complete. With a simple time investment, users can get lots of benefits.
Learn about the quality assurance certifications that are compatible with Microsoft products and technology. Find information on credentialing organizations, as well as the education and experience you'll need to obtain your certification. Get info about recertification, too.
The Google Data Analytics Professional Certification program can teach you skills about data analysis and sharing data. This certification can help you switch careers or advance your current role.
Many online nursing certification programs are legitimate. If they are offered by accredited and reputable organizations, these online programs can be a great option for busy RNs hoping to pursue advanced roles in the field of nursing.
Google project management certificates are worth earning to gain or enhance project management and business knowledge and skills for starting or advancing a professional career.
Google offers Python certifications through Coursera that can help people begin careers or earn college credit. Many prospective students wonder if these courses are worth the cost.
Explore and read this in-depth guide on how to go from CNA to LPN online and take the next step in advancing your nursing career. Discover more information now.
You don't need an education degree to teach in elementary schools. Alternative certification programs and teaching experiences can help start your career.
Do you dream of molding young lives as a preschool teacher? Learn about preschool teacher requirements for different types of schools, preschool teacher credentials, and how many years of college it takes to be a preschool teacher.
Several colleges and universities across the United States offer accelerated paralegal certificate programs online, with some taking as few as eight weeks.