Should You Get a Graduate Certificate Instead of a Master’s Degree?

Deciding between a graduate certificate and a master’s degree involves careful consideration. While there are thousands of programs to choose from it’s important to decide which option is right for you.

A graduate certificate provides specialized training in a particular field, allowing professionals to enhance their skills without pursuing a degree. For example, a teacher might seek a certification to become a gifted educator, or perhaps you want to become a subject expert in cyber security or social media. 

No matter which graduate certificate you decide to pursue, make sure you understand the admission requirements as they vary by institution and program.

Having an undergrad degree, a respectable GPA, GRE or other test scores and additional application elements may all be requirements for a graduate certificate.

One significant benefit of obtaining a graduate certificate is that if at some point you decide to pursue a master’s you may be able to apply those graduate certificate courses toward an advanced degree, depending on the program’s criteria. Although fewer graduate certificates are conferred per year than master’s degrees, they continue to gain popularity amongst students.

Time, cost, and career flexibility. A master’s degree is typically requires 30–60 credits and takes about 2 years to complete. A graduate certificate, on the other hand, requires 9–18 credits and can usually be completed in 8 to 12 months.

The cost of a graduate certificate is significantly less, averaging between $8,000–$15,000, as opposed to a master’s degree which ranges from between $20,000–$60,000.

Regarding career flexibility, a master’s degree often consists of foundational courses that could still be beneficial if you ever wanted to change careers or move into a different area of expertise from your current occupation. A graduate certificate may not be as easily transferable, as it’s more for enhancing your skill set within a narrower field.

As you weigh the pros and cons of each based on your situation, remember that this is an investment and as with any kind of investment, you want the best bang for your buck (and your efforts).

While a graduate certificate may not carry as much weight as a master’s degree, it still has many benefits of its own. It shows your employer your commitment to advancing your knowledge, which could lead to a salary increase or promotion.

Additionally, don’t underestimate the legitimacy of a graduate certificate. If the university that you’re obtaining your degree from is accredited, then so is your degree. While a master’s or doctorate may still be in your future, a graduate certificate may help your career in the short term and be a more manageable option from a time and money perspective.