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    How to Choose the Right Online Certificate Program for You

    Professional taking notes while selecting online course on laptop
    • 20 Apr 2023
    Catherine Cote Author Staff
    tag
    • Business Essentials
    • Career Development
    • Work-Life Balance

    Online certificate programs are an effective way to build and develop vital business skills. Whether you aim to prepare for an MBA program, advance to a new role, or make a career change, online courses can be a flexible, cost-effective path to reach your goals.

    As online education’s popularity has skyrocketed, so have its number of options—making choosing the right course critical and challenging. Here’s a rundown of an online certificate program’s benefits and five questions to ask yourself to ensure you select the best fit.


    Free E-Book: Your Guide to Online Learning Success

    Access your free e-book today.

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    Why Take an Online Certificate Program?

    Earning an online business certificate can equip you to advance your career. From foundational basics to advanced deep dives, certificate courses can build and hone your skills to become a stronger business professional.

    Online certificate programs can also pay off financially. In a survey by City Square Associates, 42 percent of HBS Online learners said they earned an average salary increase of $17,000, with 16 percent earning an average bonus increase of $14,000. On a resume, a certificate in a specific subject area can signify your commitment to professional development and gaining new skills.

    An often-overlooked benefit of online courses is the ability to make global connections. Since courses aren’t tied to physical locations, your peers may take them from anywhere in the world. The HBS Online Community enables you to network before, during, and after your course. You can also attend in-person events with learners in your area.

    Because online certificate programs enable you to gain these benefits on your schedule from any location, they’re increasingly popular among professionals pursuing career advancement.

    Related: 4 Reasons Online Classes Can Benefit Working Adults

    5 Questions to Ask Yourself to Find the Best Online Course

    1. What Are My Professional Goals?

    If you’ve decided to take an online course, be clear about why you’re enrolling. Start by listing your professional goals. It can help to craft statements about where you are in your career and what you hope to gain from a certificate program.

    For instance:

    • I’m an entry-level engineer and aspire to manage an engineering team.
    • I’m a seasoned manager and want to improve my ability to execute strategy.
    • I have an innovative idea and want to build a successful startup.
    • I’m a new leader and want to understand how to leverage financial information.
    • I’m a prospective MBA student and want to set myself up to succeed.
    • I’m an organizational leader and want my business to make a positive impact on society.

    You can list as many goal statements as you like, but choose one to focus on for this exercise.

    2. What Skills Do I Need to Reach My Goals?

    Next, consider your goal and skills. Which skills do you already possess that will help you achieve your goal? Which do you lack or aren’t as strong in?

    For instance, if your goal statement is “I’m a new leader and want to understand how to leverage financial information,” you may list the following:

    Existing skills:

    • I have some familiarity with financial statements.
    • I’ve occasionally created budgets for my team.
    • I’m familiar with how to pitch a project based on the value it could bring to my organization.

    Skills to gain or strengthen:

    • I don’t have a strong understanding of how capital markets work and impact my organization.
    • I want to learn how to apply key financial concepts to my daily work.
    • I’m not sure how to use financial statements to inform leadership decisions.

    Through this process, you might discover that you aren’t sure what skills you need to reach your goals—that’s OK. If you’re aiming for a promotion within your company, have a conversation with your manager about what skills are beneficial for someone in your desired role. You can also review the competencies listed in job postings for roles you want. Keep this in mind later in the process when searching for courses.

    3. What’s My Schedule?

    After determining the skills you want to gain, gauge your availability. With online programs, you’ll have the flexibility to fit coursework into your schedule whenever is best.

    For this step, create a visualization of a typical week. Block off time for standing commitments such as work, school, and appointments. Consider any caretaking responsibilities, daily necessities like preparing meals, and adequate time for rest and sleep.

    Once you’ve blocked off those times, you’re left with your availability for an online course. Tally how many hours per week you can dedicate and ensure it’s a commitment you want to make.

    If you’ve determined, for example, that you can dedicate six hours per week to your education, use that information to select a course that requires no more time than that.

    4. What Do I Value in an Online Course?

    The next step is to identify what you value in an online certificate course. Many are on the market, so it’s beneficial to know what you like so you can search for relevant offerings.

    Begin with an open brainstorm: What do you need or value in an educational experience?

    You may list things such as:

    • Engaging course content
    • Credible instructors
    • Real-world examples to gain insights from
    • Opportunities to engage with fellow learners
    • The ability to see diagrams and graphics
    • The need for closed captioning or alternative text

    Use the above as a starting point for your personal list. Note which factors are “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” so you can reference your list when researching options. Some courses may hit one or two of your boxes; others may hit all.

    5. What’s My Budget?

    Finally, determine your budget. Prices for online certificate courses can vary—so can their quality. Be wary that not all certificate courses are created equal.

    Think of this step as considering what price you’re willing to pay for your perfect course—one that provides the skills to reach your goals, aligns with your availability, and has all the factors you value most.

    If your budget is keeping you from pursuing your ideal course, investigate scholarship and financial aid opportunities. If your employer has a budget for professional development assistance, craft your case for how the course would help you succeed in your role, provide the skills to advance, and benefit the organization. You may be able to take your ideal course for a fraction of its cost.

    Your Guide to Online Learning Success | Download Your Free E-Book

    Research to Jumpstart Your Career Advancement

    Enrolling in a certificate course is an investment in yourself and your career. Once you’ve answered all five questions, research courses that align with your preferences.

    Some may fit your budget and time constraints but lack instruction for the skills you need. Others may provide the skills to reach your goals but lack factors that are important to you, like social interaction.

    By determining your goals, priorities, and needs, you can find the best course for you. It’s a puzzle you now have the pieces to solve.

    Are you interested in discovering how HBS Online can help advance your career? Explore our course catalog, and download our free guide—complete with interactive workbook sections—to determine if online learning is right for you and which course to take.

    About the Author

    Catherine Cote is a marketing coordinator at Harvard Business School Online. Prior to joining HBS Online, she worked at an early-stage SaaS startup where she found her passion for writing content, and at a digital consulting agency, where she specialized in SEO. Catherine holds a B.A. from Holy Cross, where she studied psychology, education, and Mandarin Chinese. When not at work, you can find her hiking, performing or watching theatre, or hunting for the best burger in Boston.
     
    All FAQs

    Top FAQs

    How are HBS Online courses delivered?

    +–

    We offer self-paced programs (with weekly deadlines) on the HBS Online course platform.

    Our platform features short, highly produced videos of HBS faculty and guest business experts, interactive graphs and exercises, cold calls to keep you engaged, and opportunities to contribute to a vibrant online community.

    Are HBS Online programs available in languages other than English?

    +–

    We expect to offer our courses in additional languages in the future but, at this time, HBS Online can only be provided in English.

    All course content is delivered in written English. Closed captioning in English is available for all videos. There are no live interactions during the course that requires the learner to speak English. Coursework must be completed in English.

    Do I need to come to campus to participate in HBS Online programs?

    +–

    No, all of our programs are 100 percent online, and available to participants regardless of their location.

    How do I enroll in a course?

    +–

    Certificate Programs

    HBS Online welcomes committed learners wherever they are—in the world and their careers—irrespective of their professional experience or academic background. To extend the reach of HBS Online, we no longer require an application for our certificate programs. (Applications are still required for our credential programs: CORe and CLIMB.) You can now immediately enroll and start taking the next step in your career.

    All programs require the completion of a brief online enrollment form before payment. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before enrolling in the program of your choice.

    Our easy online enrollment form is free, and no special documentation is required. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

    Updates to your enrollment status will be shown on your account page. HBS Online does not use race, gender, ethnicity, or any protected class as criteria for enrollment for any HBS Online program.

    Credential Programs

    HBS Online's CORe and CLIMB programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly, but all ask for some personal background information. You can apply for and enroll in programs here. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before starting an application for the program of your choice.

    Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

    Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your account page. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application for CORe and three weeks for CLIMB. HBS Online does not use race, gender, ethnicity, or any protected class as criteria for admissions for any HBS Online program.

    Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

    +–

    No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

    What are my payment options?

    +–

    We accept payments via credit card, wire transfer, Western Union, and (when available) bank loan. Some candidates may qualify for scholarships or financial aid, which will be credited against the Program Fee once eligibility is determined. Please refer to the Payment & Financial Aid page for further information.

    We also allow you to split your payment across 2 separate credit card transactions or send a payment link email to another person on your behalf. If splitting your payment into 2 transactions, a minimum payment of $350 is required for the first transaction.

    In all cases, net Program Fees must be paid in full (in US Dollars) to complete registration.

    What are the policies for refunds and deferrals?

    +–

    After enrolling in a program, you may request a withdrawal with refund (minus a $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee) up until 24 hours after the start of your program. Please review the Program Policies page for more details on refunds and deferrals. If your employer has contracted with HBS Online for participation in a program, or if you elect to enroll in the undergraduate credit option of the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program, note that policies for these options may differ.

     

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