Certificate Programs Offer Quick Learning for Busy Professionals Self-Starters Thrive Online By Rodney Welch
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f you want to start a new career or advance in your chosen field, but can’t squeeze regular school attendance into your schedule, an online certificate may be just what you’re looking for.
Both the University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College offer online certification programs that let students work at their own pace and in their own home. “One of the best advantages of online learning is that you have flexibility in terms of when and where you will study while having classroom access 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” says Cathy Pitts, director of programs for the Corporate and Continuing Education Division at Midlands Technical College. Not only that, but there’s no travel or endless searches for decent parking. “One of the logistical advantages that
students receive from the online format is that while they still receive a real-time, interactive learning experience with their instructor, they are relieved of the time, cost and logistical burden of traveling to and from a physical site,” says Tiffany Hoefer, program manager for the Professional Education area within USC’s Department of Continuing Education and Conferences. Certificate programs “are a solution for those who want to get a short-term, highly career-oriented, compressed program to get out into the job market,” said Carol Aslanian, senior vice president of market research at EducationDynamics, said in a 2010 U.S. News and World Report article.
Project Management, Computer and Web Skills, Paralegal Studies and More The University of South Carolina offers non-credit certificate programs in several growing career fields, such as Grant Writing, Project Management, Paralegal Studies, and training in Six Sigma models. Although these classes are more accessible in terms of convenience, they aren’t just shortcuts. “All certificates are designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the concepts involved with the particular course of study,” Hoefer said. “Each program requires student interaction and ability to demonstrate and apply the principles learned in the classes.” The Six Sigma Program is a series of product quality and business efficiency strategies that have been adopted by companies across the country. The program involves an infrastructure for both green belt and black belt certification, both of which are offered at USC. The Green Belt certification takes one month to complete and costs $2,995; Black Belt takes two months and costs $4,995. “The Six Sigma Green and Black Belt certificate programs each require a student to demonstrate understanding of the principles learned in class through test assignments, and Black Belt students complete an additional project,” Hoefer says. “These
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assessments help show employers that our students must be able to understand and apply the knowledge shared through the course.” The Six Sigma participants come from a variety of industries, she said, such as insurance and manufacturing, among others. USC’s popular online Paralegal Studies certificate program takes six months to complete and costs $4,995. Paralegal students at USC, Hoefer said, are tested on each individual area of study (Introduction to Law, Torts and Personal Injury Law, Legal Research and Writing, Civil Litigation, Family Law, and Contract Law), and must complete and pass individual assignments. “The paralegal program can be applied cross-industries, as it teaches research, multi-tasking and technical writing skills,” Hoefer says. “Our students tend to use it in the law field — or as a stepping stone to prepare for law school.” Popular certificate programs at Midlands Tech, according to Pitts, include grant writing, project management, computer technology (especially Microsoft Office products such as Excel, as well as web design and maintenance), business writing and “soft skills” classes, such as leadership. Class durations vary from six weeks to about a year, with costs ranging from $99 to $5,000. “Students can easily interact with each
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