Tej Kohli

Tej Kohli blog for study places in US brings a broad insight into Certificate/ Diploma Programs in the US. If you’re planning enroll for one, equip yourself with this general information first.

Although certificate or diploma programs are quickly gaining popularity as alternatives for professional training and development, many people still don’t know exactly what they are and how they work. Tej Kohli study blog will provide you with a brief description and tips on issues to be considered when selecting these kinds of programs.

What are Certificate or Diploma Programs?

Certificate/diploma programs are a series of classes focusing on both theory and practice in a particular field. They are not as broad as degree programs and they usually concentrate on a particular area. For example, in an undergraduate degree program in business, the student will study in depth a broad range of areas such as marketing, accounting, finance, human resources, organizational behavior, production, economics, and several others. Under a certificate program, on the other hand, he/she will concentrate his/her studies in a specific area. For example, in a marketing certificate/diploma program the curriculum will include topics such as consumer behavior, marketing research, marketing strategy, international marketing, internet marketing and others. These are all different topics related to one specific area. Some certificate programs also offer an overview of several different areas.

While some universities refer to their programs as certificate programs, others call them diploma programs. There is not a commonly adopted criterion to differentiate them. In general, a diploma program is required to provide a certain minimum number of instruction hours and are longer in duration. However, you may find two schools with similar programs in curriculum and duration, but one of them defining the program as a certificate program and the other calling it a diploma program.

What kind of audiences attend these programs, and when are the classes being offered?

Some certificate/diploma programs are designed primarily for a local audience (Americans) but enrollments are also open to international participants. These programs are more likely to have a majority of local residents and the classes are offered in the evening (during the week) and on weekends (daytime).

Other certificate/diploma programs are designed primarily for an international audience. In this case, most of the participants are non-Americans and classes are scheduled during the daytime every day of the week. Because of that, the schedule tends to be more intense than the evening courses, and participants are able to learn a lot more within the same period of time. Some schools refer to this kind of schedule as “intensive format” or “accelerated programs.”

Which department is responsible for offering the certificate/diploma program?

The certificate/diploma programs are offered in most cases by the Extension Department (sometimes also called the School of Continuing Education). At some institutions, however, the certificate/diploma programs are offered by the schools within a university (such as School of Business, School of Law, etc.). Still some certificate/diploma programs may be offered by the Extension Department in cooperation with one of the schools.