The Certification Course is a secondary level of training open to Foundation Course graduates. It is designed to deepen your understanding of the core competencies and to allow you to achieve a more advanced level of proficiency in the field.
Certificate | Certification |
---|---|
Indicates completion of a course or series of courses with a particular focus | Indicates mastery/competency measured against a standard – usually by exam |
Course content set through academic process | Standards set through an industry-wide process |
What are certifications? Certifications are designated credentials earned by an individual to verify their legitimacy and competence to perform a job. Your certification is typically displayed as a document stating that as a professional, you've been trained, educated and are prepared to meet a specific set of criteria for your role.
In the words of the standard, “Whereas the primary focus of a…certificate program is on…education/ training…the primary focus of professional or personnel certification is on assessment.
According to ICE – the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, (formerly NOCA, the National Organization for Competency Assurance) accrediting standards, a “ certificate program ” is a non-degree granting program that: Provides a course of instruction with intended learning outcomes.
Earning a certificate is about education. Certificates are academic credentials awarded by colleges, universities or other educational institutions. Students in certificate programs learn new knowledge in a specific subject or discipline and earn a certificate by successfully completing the coursework.
Related Definitions Certification Course means a course provided to meet certification requirements within specific job classifications.
For example, a Certified Public Accountant can practice as a CPA across the accounting profession....Other examples might include:CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)CIPM (Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement)RA (Registered Architect)CPL (Commercial Pilot License)CMP (Certified Meeting Professional)
While certificates do not result in a degree, they are also awarded at undergraduate and graduate levels. And, at some universities, the credits earned through a certificate can be later applied toward earning a degree. A few examples of the many certificates available include: Accounting Certificate.
Professional certificates focus on career-based knowledge and skills, and they are often offered through nationally accredited institutions. Enrollees typically need work experience to earn professional certificates. In these programs, learners take non-credit coursework as they work toward cumulative assessments.
Certifications can give you the chance to learn needed skills, and be a quick way to show employers you have those skills. On the other hand, certifications can require studying or coursework, and cost up to several hundred dollars to take.
The importance of certifications starts right from the academic journey in the initial stages. You get certificates as proof of completing your school education, high school, college, and university education. Furthermore, certificates help you find jobs with employers you want to work for or showcasing your abilities.
Certificates work! In the least amount of time, and for the least amount of money, they provide people with the right knowledge and skills to land a job. Employers are increasingly demanding professional certification in addition to a degree from college graduates.
Some schools use 'certificate' to describe programs that focus on very specialized knowledge, while diploma programs are considered more comprehensive of an entire subject area (i.e. computer programming).
If you want to change careers, a diploma program will give you more hands-on skills and the practicum placement will give you great industry experience. However, if you're really looking to improve one specific skill for a role, a certificate program will likely do the trick.
Certifications Serve As A Quick Gateway The certifications enable you to take a smarter approach to your profession and helps you move ahead faster. They provide a quick gateway to climbing up the corporate ladder, which otherwise, would have taken years to gain the experience and prove the skills to your superiors.
Categorization. There are three general types of certification. Listed in order of development level and portability, they are: corporate (internal), product-specific, and profession-wide.
A certificate or digital certificate is a unique, digitally signed document which authoritatively identifies the identity of an individual or organization. Using public key cryptography, its authenticity can be verified to ensure that the software or website you are using is legitimate.