Graduate Certificate Programs in Business and Management
As a profession and a field of academic study, business encompasses a number of different knowledge and skill areas. In fact, much like a large corporation, business is comprised of separate departments in which distinct yet complementary functions are addressed. Accounting, finance, logistics, human resources, marketing, public relations, and supply-chain management are among the many functional specializations within the field of business. General business administration, organizational leadership, and project and team management are other areas in which specialized knowledge and skills can provide businesses and those working in business with a competitive edge.
While a successful career in business can depend on many factors, cultivating advanced knowledge and specialized skills in one or more of the field’s functional areas and/or in a specific business sector, such as healthcare, hospitality, or real estate, is one way to foster career advancement. There are many ways to acquire new business skills, including on-the-job training, professional experience, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree programs. In addition, there are graduate certificate programs in most business specializations that can provide valuable training and instruction in specific business proficiencies. These programs represent an efficient and cost-effective means for college graduates, mid-career professionals, and those who have already earned an MBA or other related master’s degree to gain marketable new skills, expand their knowledge base, and broaden their career opportunities.
Many colleges and universities offer graduate certificate programs in business specializations. These programs are often offered through schools of business or management, or through departments that focus on continuing studies. Certificate programs typically consist of several graduate-level courses that target proficiencies in a specific subject area, such as accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, digital marketing, e-commerce, global business, human resource management (HRM), non-profit management, operations and supply-chain management, real estate development, and Six Sigma management. There are also graduate certificate programs in healthcare sector management, sport and entertainment business management, hospitality management, and other management fields for which knowledge pertaining to a particular sector of the economy is advantageous.
Graduate certificate programs in business are generally structured with working professionals in mind. Schools commonly offer graduate certificate program courses in the evenings, on weekends, and/or through online instruction so as not to interrupt the traditional workday. Students are typically able to complete these programs in under a year as opposed to the two years that it may take to earn an MBA degree and at a lower overall tuition cost than a master’s program. Thus, graduate certificate programs allow students to complete master’s-level coursework through an accredited college or university, accrue credits that may be counted toward a future graduate degree, and develop practical skills in a specific area of business at a lower cost and in less time when compared to completing a full master’s program.
Graduate Certificates in Business
Learn more about graduate certificate programs in business and management by exploring the programs listed below.
Construction management graduate certificate programs offer professional training and instruction in the application of project management principles to the construction industry. Students in these programs learn how to manage the financial, human resources, and operational sides of construction and building projects.
Digital marketing graduate certificate programs offer bachelor’s program graduates the option of studying digital marketing at the graduate level without having to invest the time and resources it would take to earn a master’s degree in digital marketing. These programs focus on the principles and practices of marketing on platforms supported by digital and mobile communication technologies.
Engineering management graduate certificate programs provide professional training and academic instruction in the principles and practices of business and project management as applied to enterprises in engineering and technology fields.
ERP graduate certificate programs provide professional training in the tools and techniques of enterprise resource planning systems, software, and technologies to qualifying students who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. The programs are more affordable and less time-intensive than master’s programs that include training in ERP.
Graduate certificate programs in finance give bachelor's degree graduates targeted skills in financial analysis, corporate finance management, investment and portfolio evaluation, and organizational budgeting and valuations, which can be applied to a variety of business development and accounting roles.
Graduate certificate programs in human resources provide qualified students who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with professional training and instruction in the principles and practices of effective human resource management and development. Students in these programs learn about employment law, recruitment and hiring strategies, employee compensation and benefits, and more.
Graduate certificate programs in marketing are designed to provide bachelor’s program graduates with practical, career-oriented training in the principles of marketing and the skills required to advance in the marketing profession.
Students in project management graduate certificate programs learn the principles, processes, and professional practices of project management by taking a relatively small number of graduate courses in project management theories and their application throughout the public and private sectors.
Graduate certificate programs in real estate give students fundamental training in real estate valuation and finance, real estate development, property law, and real estate marketing in order to prepare students for diverse roles in residential and commercial real estate.
Students who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree can learn the theories, principles, and practical applications of Six Sigma quality management and Lean Six Sigma management via graduate certificate programs that consist of a relatively small number of master’s-level courses.
Social media marketing graduate certificate programs offer advanced training in marketing strategies for various social media platforms, and the business and communication skills required to integrate social media into an organization’s integrated marketing communications campaigns. These programs are designed for college graduates who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
Supply chain management graduate certificate programs provide practical professional training and instruction in logistics strategies and supply chain management principles and practices to qualified students who hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
Graduate certificate programs in sustainability provide bachelor’s and master’s program graduates with career-oriented training in the knowledge and skills required for a range of careers in sustainability, including sustainability management, consulting, and policy planning.
