Enhance your skills, resume in under a year
Picture this: You’re ready to move up in your job, but the next level requires a credential you don’t have. Or maybe you want a different career entirely, but you lack the confidence, skills or both to try something new.
The solution might be more accessible than you think.
Colleges and universities, including The University of Baltimore, home to 18 graduate-level certificates, are building upon their post-baccalaureate certificate options to create more pathways to success in an increasingly busy and competitive world.
Graduate degrees can help an individual stand out in the job market, where bachelor’s degrees are more common now than decades ago, according to Harvard Business Review.
But certificates can be a step in the right direction for less money and time. Most can be completed in less than a year.
Certificate programs can also be more accessible to applicants, in part because they don’t typically require standardized tests for entry.
In a piece for Forbes Advisor , higher education expert Dr. Horacio Sierra points to even more benefits of enrolling in a graduate certificate program:
1. Specialized knowledge
Students get to be hyper focused on a particular topic of study, whether it’s a new idea or necessary update.
At UBalt, students can pursue a User-Experience (UX) Design certificate if they want to lean into a concept outside their expertise. Or they could enroll in the Advanced UX Research certificate to further explore the digital media landscape. Both programs are independent but also could be an introduction to the Interaction Design and Information Architecture master's program. Also, they both can be completed entirely online.
2. Network growth
A benefit of a master’s without the commitment, certificate courses bring professionally minded students together and establish opportunities for peer-to-peer networking and mentorships.
Students also gain access to support services. At UBalt, even certificate students can rely on the Career and Internship Center for career coaching, resume reviews, interview practice, and job opportunities.
3. Career development
Pursuing a certificate offers another selling point for a resume. It's a signal of an individual’s commitment to learning and development. Indeed’s Career Center adds that this pursuit can increase earning potential and allow an individual to negotiate a higher salary.
4. Introduction to graduate studies
Certificates also prove the perfect preparation for a master’s degree, particularly for those that haven’t been in a classroom in years.
That was the case for Anderson Lattimore, CERT ‘22, who is now an MBA student at UBalt. Lattimore started his journey to an MBA in a certificate program offered in the Merrick School of Business.
“For a guy like me who had went to school 20 umpteen years ago, it was helpful. I needed that. I feel that I had that foundation underneath me,” Lattimore said of the Business Fundamentals certificate. “I did well there, so I got confidence, a comfort level in place, and that has only helped me at my 600 level courses.”
Lattimore earned his certificate in just one year after starting, which allowed him to seamlessly enter the MBA program.
Egypt Weathers, CERT ‘23, M.S. ’23, took the opposite approach.
It wasn’t until after she started classes in UBalt’s M.S. in Criminal Justice program that she learned about the Trauma-Informed certificate. Weathers wanted to work with at-risk and underprivileged youth in the criminal justice system after graduation. This was an ideal gateway.
“I figured what better way to become more knowledgeable about how to properly navigate the target group I planned on working with than to take courses specifically geared toward trauma,” she said. “I have learned so much from the program and the instructors. It truly is invaluable.”
The only certificate program of its kind, the Trauma-Informed certificate adds more depth for students working in or hoping to work in the criminal justice field. It also includes an access to advanced training and networking opportunities through the Roper Victim Assistance Academy of Maryland.
The experiences helped solidify Weathers’ career plan.
“Without hesitation, I would tell anyone who is considering the certificate it is beyond worth it,” she said. “You not only get the education factor from the instructors, but you get daily experiences from a diverse group of people. It's an excellent opportunity that will teach you more about yourself and bridge the gap you might be feeling in your career.”
The University of Baltimore has been adding to its certificate offerings to create more opportunities for specialized learning and stackable credits.
The College of Public Affairs, in particular, has invested heavily in these types of programs. The college added five certificates in the last year alone: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Essential Conflict Resolution, Global Engagement, Human Services Administration and Nonprofit Leadership.
Jennica Larrison, an associate professor for the college’s School of Public and International Affairs, which will oversee four of the five new programs, said these certificates focus on critical skills students need to address the coming decade's complex local and global challenges.
“Overall, we believe these certificates will help students build skills to address the multi-faceted concerns of the coming years and signal their expertise to employers,” she said. “Truly, knowledge that works.”