Enrolling in 6 months certificate programs online is gradually becoming the new normal for students. Following the recent trends of globalization, technological advancements and changing social needs, people are switching from the traditional academic route to their alternatives.
A certificate is awarded after you complete a shorter program that’s more concentrated on a specific field of expertise rather than an entire course of study. Certificates can be anywhere from 12 to 36 credits in length.
Times are changing, and that comes with the demand for the best and fastest academic route, as people have more responsibilities as the day goes by, and try to find balance.
A New America report confirms that in the first decade of the millennium, the number of short-term certificates awarded by community colleges increased by more than 150 percent across the United States.
Thanks to the power of technology, 6 months certificate programs online are now made available by institutions, colleges and universities for students who need them.
Among these 6 months certificate programs online, there are countless career options you can pursue depending on your financial needs, values, interests, skills, education and training.
But before we discuss these 6 months certificate programs online, let’s help you understand some basic things about online certificates. Very often many people confuse certificates with certifications.
The truth is that, certificates and certifications sound alike and can be pretty confusing, but we’ve written something to help you better understand it below:
Table of Contents
Difference Between Certificates and Certifications
Generally, there are various types of Short-Term Credentials:
1. Certificates
2. Certifications
3. Graduate certificates
4. Massive open online courses (MOOC)
5. Digital Badges.
Don’t get confused. Certificates and Certifications sound similar but are not the same. Here is a little explanation to help you.
- A Certification is usually awarded by a professional association or independent organization to certify someone for work in a particular industry, while ;
- Academic Certificates are awarded by institutions of higher education for the completion of the selected program of study.
- Certifications are often time-based and require renewal upon expiration, while ;
- Certificates typically do not expire.
Below is an interesting example from Southern New Hampshire University that clearly explains it.
“For example; You can choose to earn your Six Sigma Black Belt Graduate Certificate , a certificate program that’s 12 credits (four courses) and is designed to help prepare you for the Six Sigma Black Belt certification exam.
The certificate program is offered by an educational institution while the certification exam is administered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ), which is a professional society.”
Benefits of Online 6 Months Certificate Programs
The truth is that some jobs require a college degree, while others may require a high school diploma and certification course.
Nevertheless, many certificate programs offer you the opportunity to acquire extra knowledge that increases your capacity to earn a more satisfying income.
Getting a certificate could be beneficial for your career by: Broadening your skillset, Building your confidence and Improving your performance.
In this article, we would outline some benefits of 6 months certificate programs online. Check them out below:
- Flexible Schedules
Most online courses (not all) operate at a self paced timing. They offer students the convenience to learn at their own speed, depending on their schedules.
- Updated Information
To remain the best choice for students online, certificate programs, like 6 months certificate programs online, endeavour to regularly update the information on their course work to accommodate new trends and stay relevant to the changing needs of students.
- Accredited Certification
When you enroll for accredited 6 months certificate programs online, you get to receive accredited and recognized certification from these institutions.
- High Quality Course Work
Although 6 months certificate programs online can be flexible sometimes, they offer high quality course work, with emphasis on focus topics and areas of specialization, that prepares you for professional work.
- Fast Paced
6 months certificate programs online are great for accelerating your way to the profession of your dreams.
- Financial Aid
Some 6 months certificate programs online offer financial aid options, scholarships, grants as a means to support students.
- Specialized Learning
With 6 month certificate programs online, students can already develop a specific in demand skill set. These certificate programs equip students with marketable skills crucial for the workforce.
Enrollment Requirements For 6 Months Certificate Programs Online
Different institutions have different requirements for their 6 months certificate programs online. To know what their requirements are, you are expected to browse through their website and check out what is required for enrollment.
However, below are some requirements we picked out, it may be different for your institution of choice.
Therefore, If enrollment requirements aren’t clearly described, you should contact the school’s admission office for clarity.
Different 6 months certificate programs online, ask for different requirements.
They could ask for:
- A minimum of GED (General Educational Diploma) or high school diploma.
- Prerequisite courses as part of the admission requirements. E.g I.T. or computer-related online certificate programs could ask for Mathematics as a prerequisite course required for enrollment.
- Accredited schools offering online certificate programs also require students to submit transcripts from the school where they completed their secondary education.
- Students who attended more than one high school must submit transcripts from each secondary school. Students’ official transcripts are either mailed by post or electronically, depending on the school.
- If you’re undertaking an online certificate program in areas of study that are eligible to receive some form of federal financial aid, you are expected to complete your requirements for FAFSA.
Options for 6 Months Certificate Programs Online
Online Certificate Programs have a number of Options which you can choose from.6 months certificate programs online prepare students for careers in many fields.
Most online certificate programs focus on a specific area of study. Below, we have highlighted some options for 6 months certificate programs online:
- Online Project Management Certificate
- Online Legal Assistant Certificate
- I.T and I.T related Certificate
- Online Accounting Certificate
- Online Accounting Certificate
- Technical Certificate
- Business Certificate
- Teaching Certificates.
Online Project Management Certificate
With an average duration of about 6-12 months, students are trained for project management careers in various industries.
In this option of 6 months certificate programs online, students learn about initiating, planning, and completing projects and they are also prepared for the Project Management Professional Exam.
Online Legal Assistant Certificate
Otherwise known as, paralegal certificate, trains students for law careers. They are trained on the basics of law, litigation and documentation. Certificate holders can become legal assistants or apply for jobs in many legal fields, including civil rights, real estate, and family law. They can also choose to go further.
I.T and I.T related Certificate
This program prepares enrollees for careers in the information technology industry. Students learn to use computers to create, process, store, retrieve, and exchange all kinds of electronic data and information.
These programs could last between 3-12 months, and certificates issued on completion.
Online Accounting Certificate
You can get accounting certificates after undergoing 6 months certificate programs online. In these certificate programs you will be taught the fundamentals of accounting, financial reporting, and taxation.
These programs could cover a duration of 6 to 24 months and prepare enrollees to take the Certified Public Accountant Exam.
Technical Certificate
This program prepares enrollees for technical jobs or apprenticeships. Learners can complete programs at their pace. Students learn for a period of about 6 months or more to learn technical related skills.
On completion they gain knowledge to become plumbers, auto mechanic technicians, electricians etc . Certificate holders can pursue jobs or paid apprenticeships in residential or commercial industries.
Business Certificate
Online business certificate programs can be a great way for busy professionals to earn the knowledge, skills and credentials they need without sacrificing time away from the office.
Graduates might be able to advance their career, increase their income, gain promotion or even change career paths to something new and different.
Teaching Certificates
Teaching certificates that last are also part of some 6 months certificate programs online. Teaching certificates are a great way to prove that a teacher has the knowledge and skills needed to enter the professional teaching profession.
Also, certificates in a specific area of education can help teachers advance their knowledge, improve their skills, expose them to new areas of the educational system, prepare them to move into another area of teaching, and help them get a promotion or salary raise.
List of the Best 6 Months Certificate Programs You Can apply for Online
Here are some of the best 6 months certificate programs:
- Accounting Certificate Program
- Applied Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate
- Non Profit Essentials
- Geospatial Programming and Web Map Development
- Medical Coding & Billing Specialist.
- Digital Arts
- Certificate in Cybersecurity
- Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Learning.
6 Months Certificate Programs Online in 2022
1. Accounting Certificate Program
Institution: Southern New Hampshire University.
Cost: $320 per credit for 18 credits.
Among the 6 months certificate programs online is this accounting certificate program from Southern New Hampshire University. In this course you’ll learn:
- Fundamental accounting skills,
- How to Prepare financial statements in accordance with industry standards.
- How to explore the financial impact of short-term and long-term business decisions.
- How to address intricate accounting scenarios such as recording complex financial statement elements
- Develop key accounting industry knowledge and skills.
Other Online Programs Offered By SNHU.
2. Applied Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate
Institution: Indiana University.
In-State Tuition Per Credit Cost: $296.09.
Out of State Tuition Per Credit Cost: $1031.33.
This certificate program online, is offered by Indiana University (IU).
With about 18 total credits, this online undergraduate certificate in Applied Computer Science does the following:
- Introduces computer science principles.
- Develops practical skills in market-driven software applications.
- Prepares you to be successful with emerging technologies.
- Teaches you to solve complex problems.
- Design and implement algorithms, apply computer science theory to practical problems.
- Adapt to technological change, and program in at least two languages.
Other Online Programs Offered By IU.
3. Non Profit Essentials
Institution: Northwood Technical College.
Cost: $2,442 (estimated program cost).
As part of the 6 months certificate programs online is the Nonprofit Essentials career pathway program. In this certificate program online, you will:
- Explore the role of nonprofit organizations.
- Develop volunteer and Board relationships.
- Coordinate grant and fundraising strategies.
- Explore the principles and concepts of nonprofit leadership.
- Examine various grant and fundraising strategies commonly used in the nonprofit sector.
- Organise and evaluate non-profit organisations based on its mission, vision and goals.
Graduates of this certificate can find work with assisted living centres, hospice and home care agencies, childcare programs, domestic abuse and homeless shelters and many more nonprofit organisations, both locally and nationally.
Other Online Programs Offered By NTC.
4. Geospatial Programming and Web Map Development
Institution: Pennsylvania State University.
Cost: $950 per credit.
In this 15 credit program offered by Pennsylvania state university. As a student in Penn State’s online Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Programming and Web Map Development program, you will:
- Expand your web mapping and coding skills.
- Learn to create web-based interactive mapping applications that support spatial data science.
- Learn to script the automation of spatial analysis processes, develop custom user interfaces on top of existing desktop applications.
- Create web-based interactive mapping applications that support spatial data science.
- Python, Javascript, QGIS, ArcGIS, SDE, and PostGIS, this certificate covers what you’ll need in order to make the next step in your geospatial career.
Note: This 15-credit online program is ideal for professionals with intermediate-level experience with GIS applications. No previous programming experience is required.
Other Online Programs Offered Pennsylvania State University.
5. Medical Coding & Billing Specialist
Institution: Sinclair College.
The Medical Coding and Billing Specialist certificate prepares students for :
- Entry-level coding and billing positions in physician medical offices.
- Medical insurance companies and outpatient billing services.
Students will develop skills to:
- Accurately determine diagnostic and procedural code number assignments that impact medical reimbursement.
Skill sets includes:
- Applications of ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS coding systems.
- Medical terminology.
- Anatomy and physiology and disease processes.
- Processing insurance claims and reimbursement practices.
Students will also learn:
- To demonstrate effective communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving and information literacy.
- Identify the importance of documentation on code number assignment and the subsequent reimbursement impact.
- Interpret coding guidelines and federal regulations for accurate code number assignment and completion of billing forms.
- Accurately apply diagnosis and procedure code numbers utilizing ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS classification systems.
On graduation, students can choose the following career opportunities: physician medical offices, medical insurance companies and outpatient billing services.
Other Online Programs Offered By Sinclair College.
6. Digital Arts
Institution: Penn State World Campus
Cost: $590/632 per credit
Visuals, graphics and media rich products are becoming popular online and in every facet of our lives. This online course on digital arts will teach you modern techniques to create digital arts and visuals.
Taking this digital arts Course at Penn State, will allow you to gain:
- A digital art certificate that will help boost your digital resume.
- Learn specialized skills, techniques, technologies and applications that cuts across industries and professions.
- You’ll have the opportunity to work in The Open Studio which is an award winning virtual space.
- Access to web 2.0 technologies and art studio fundamentals which the Open Studio is known for .
- Course credits that you can apply towards an associate or bachelor’s degree from Penn State.
Other online courses by Penn State World Campus
7. Certificate In Cybersecurity
Institution: University of Washington
Cost: $3,999
As the cyber infrastructure of organisations continues to grow, the need for Cybersecurity experts also rises. Information security is in demand as a result of the constant attack and threats fired towards systems and data.
This course gives you practical experience in combating cyber threats amidst a list of other things like:
- Identification of data threats and attacks
- Advanced strategies for implementing and administering protective security measures for organization
- Security approach for locally hosted networks and for cloud services.
- Access to Tools and techniques used for specific threat categories
- Knowledge of Emerging trends in the field and how to discover them.
Other online courses by University of Washington
8. Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Learning
Institution : Walden University
Cost: $9300
Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Learning course contains 12 semester credits which must be completed by participants. These 12 credit units comprise 4 courses of 3 units each. In this course, you will cover:
- Planning for Learning
- Creating Engaging Learning experiences
- Assessing For Learning
- Facilitating learning online
Other courses by Walden university
9. Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology
Institution: Purdue Global University
Cost : $420 per Credit
Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology falls under the online educational certificate program offered by the Purdue Global university.
The course consists of 20 credits, which you can complete over a duration of about 6 months. From this course, you will learn:
- How to develop new curricula to meet societal demands and different student needs
- You’ll learn skills that will enable you design, develop and evaluate educational related materials, resources and programs
- You’ll also be able to design these informational media and materials to fit different settings like higher education, government, corporate etc.
- You will also develop skills that will help you master technical, project and program management.
Other courses by Purdue Global University
10. Business Administration Graduate Certificate
Institution : Kansas state university
Cost: $2,500 per course
The Business Administration Graduate Certificate is a 15 credit hours program which is totally Online. The course offers learners the following:
- Understanding the basic functional areas of business administration.
- The contributors to an effective business organization
- How to analyse financial statements
- Development of Managerial strategy using marketing theories and applied marketing research techniques.
Other online courses by the Kansas state university
Colleges with 6 Months Certificate Programs Online
You can find good 6 months programs in the following colleges:
1. Sinclair Community College
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Sinclair Community College provides a range of online learning options for students. Sinclair offers academic degrees and certificates you can complete online, as well as over 200 online courses.
Recently, Sinclair’s online courses and programs were recognized as Ohio’s Best Online Community College Programs by Premium Schools in 2021.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission.
2. Southern New Hampshire University
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire.
Southern New Hampshire University offer 6-months certificate programs online in accounting, human resource management, finance, marketing, social media marketing, and public administration etc.
Students with first or lower academic degrees conferred by universities and colleges; a bachelor degree and relevant educational background and professional experience can also apply for 6-month certificate programs online at Southern New Hampshire University.
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education.
3. Pennsylvania State University – World Campus
Location: University Park, Pennsylvania.
As one of the frontrunners in online learning in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University runs an online learning platform.
They offer about 79 online certificate programs in the undergraduate and graduate categories, some of which are 6 months certificate programs online.
All Pennsylvania State University courses are completed 100% online, letting students accomplish their courses according to their preference and schedule.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
4. Champlain College
Location: Burlington, VT.
Champlain offers several online undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. The school offers graduate and undergraduate online certificate programs in accounting, business, cyber security, and healthcare.
Some of these courses are 6 months certificate programs online. Students gain access to career resources, including internship opportunities and career transition programs.
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education.
5. Northwood Technical College
Location: Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Northwood Technical college, formerly known as Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College offers several 6-months certificate programs online, which includes: Business Graphics, Nonprofit Essentials, and Professional Credential for Infants/Toddlers customer service, Ethical leadership etc.
Although all programs can be completed 100% online, students can freely visit WITC campuses in either Superior, Rice Lake, New Richmond, and Ashland. Aside from coursework completion, students participate in hands-on field experience in a chosen nearby facility.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best online certificate programs?
The best online certificate program for you depends on your interest, schedule and needs. This best online certificate for you is the one that meets your interests and needs.
2. Are online certificates worth it?
It all depends on you, and what you wish to achieve. However, If you develop the skills you seek out to learn, then yes, an online certificate can be worth it.
But, to be sure that the online certificate you plan on taking is recognized, check if the program institution is accredited.
3. How long would it take to earn a certificate program online?
It all depends on the program of choice, the Institution and some other factors.
But, generally, certificate programs are typically quicker to complete than a full degree program. Like these 4 weeks certificate programs online.
Regardless of how long a certificate program might be, it is most times shorter than a full degree.
4. Can I add my 6 months online certificates to my resume?
Yes, you can. Infact, it is a great way to add substance to your resume. All earned credentials are excellent resources to list on your resume. It shows your prospective employer that you are dedicated, and constantly improving yourself and your abilities.
As an addition, you can also flaunt them on social media too, to attract people who might need your skills.
5. Do employers care about certificates?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor:
The rate of participation in Labor force is higher for people who are professionally certified or have occupational licenses than for those without such credentials.
In 2018, the bureau of labor statistics reported that the rate was 87.7 percent for workers with such credentials. They also discovered that the rate for those without these credentials was 57.8 percent. In addition, people with certifications or licenses participated more at all levels of education.
This clearly answers the question and shows that employers do care about certificates
Do you have any other question that we haven’t added to this FAQ? Feel free to ask them in the comments, we would give you answers.
6. What are some institutions with the best 6 months certificate programs online?
Check out some of our hand picked institutions for the best 6-Month Certificate Programs Online. Feel free to click on them and check if their resources meets your needs:
- Purdue University Global
- Walden University
- Fort Hays State University
- Kansas State University
- Ashworth College
- Pensacola State College
- University of Washington
- University of Phoenix
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Indiana University
- Northwood Technical College
- Pennsylvania State University – World Campus
- Sinclair Community College
- Arkansas State University.
Do you have any other question that we haven’t added to this FAQ? Feel free to ask them in the comments, we would give you answers.
Conclusion
World Scholars Hub is delighted to bring you this information after a well detailed research and rigorous confirmation of facts.
However, you should be aware that we have your best interest at heart and we continuously put in effort to see that you get access to the right information and resources.
Below are related topics that might be relevant to you as well.
Recommended Reads:
