Complete Guide to Accredited Online Certificate Programs
Our extensive list of accredited online certificate programs includes 512 online schools and 8,039 online certificate programs. Our popular programs section represents our five most researched certificate programs: physical therapy, occupational therapy assistant, dental assistant, veterinary technician, and medical billing and coding.
We also offer a list of highlighted non-profit schools, which includes University of California - Los Angeles with online certificates and diplomas.
Not looking for a certificate? Check out our similar pages for associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees.
Popular Online Certificate Programs
a | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Accounting | 90 | 165 | $143,441 | AACSB ACBSP |
Aerospace Engineering | 9 | 15 | $139,651 | ABET |
Agriculture | 20 | 52 | Not reported | Institutional |
Anthropology | 1 | 1 | $129,233 | Institutional |
Architecture | 5 | 5 | $83,036 | NAAB |
Art & Design | 26 | 36 | $95,073 | NASAD |
Art History | 3 | 3 | Not reported | Institutional |
Aviation | 3 | 4 | $108,661 | AABI |
b | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Biology | 36 | 52 | $178,943 | Institutional |
Business | 207 | 669 | $126,125 | AACSB ACBSP IACBE |
c | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
CAD/Computer Aided Drafting | 3 | 4 | $87,708 | Institutional |
Chemical Engineering | 10 | 11 | $168,974 | ABET |
Child Development | 43 | 65 | $127,906 | APA |
Christian Counseling | 3 | 4 | $61,516 | ACPE |
Civil Engineering | 14 | 25 | $127,703 | ABET |
Communications | 109 | 189 | $104,878 | ACEJMC |
Computer Engineering | 11 | 17 | $124,850 | ABET |
Computer Science | 55 | 109 | $121,174 | ABET |
Conflict Resolution | 26 | 36 | $131,284 | Institutional |
Construction Management | 23 | 27 | $121,450 | ACCE ATMAE |
Counseling | 107 | 191 | $115,116 | AAMFT CACREP |
Counseling Psychology | 17 | 18 | Not reported | Institutional |
Creative Writing | 10 | 22 | Not reported | Institutional |
Criminal Justice | 55 | 93 | $97,351 | Institutional |
Criminology | 18 | 22 | Not reported | Institutional |
Cybersecurity | 111 | 170 | $97,494 | Institutional |
d | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Data Science | 71 | 112 | Not reported | Institutional |
Dental Assistant | 4 | 4 | $101,333 | CODA |
e | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Early Childhood Education | 76 | 137 | $61,107 | CAEP MACTE NAEYC NCATE |
Economics | 23 | 29 | $170,989 | AACSB |
Education | 392 | 2,360 | $77,112 | CAEP CEA MACTE NCATE |
Educational Leadership | 193 | 438 | $70,789 | NCATE |
Electrical Engineering | 20 | 34 | $158,987 | ABET |
Elementary Education | 70 | 110 | $61,371 | CAEP MACTE NCATE TEAC |
Emergency Management | 48 | 81 | Not reported | Institutional |
Engineering | 117 | 476 | $144,741 | ABET |
Engineering Management | 30 | 49 | Not reported | Institutional |
English | 66 | 92 | $132,910 | Institutional |
Environmental Science | 76 | 210 | $125,102 | Institutional |
ESL | 121 | 170 | $71,098 | CEA |
Exercise Science | 7 | 14 | Not reported | Institutional |
f | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Fashion | 4 | 4 | $97,805 | Institutional |
Finance | 81 | 136 | $150,085 | AACSB |
Fire Science | 10 | 11 | $97,494 | FESHE |
Forensic Accounting | 10 | 11 | Not reported | Institutional |
Forensic Psychology | 2 | 2 | Not reported | APA |
Forensic Science | 21 | 31 | $97,494 | AAFS |
g | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Geographic Information Systems | 53 | 82 | $112,748 | Institutional |
Graphic Design | 15 | 17 | $82,302 | NASAD |
Gunsmithing | 2 | 2 | Not reported | Institutional |
h | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Health Education | 61 | 77 | Not reported | Institutional |
Healthcare Administration | 105 | 156 | $113,295 | CAHME |
Healthcare Informatics | 84 | 106 | $101,333 | CAHIIM CAHME |
Healthcare Management | 89 | 135 | Not reported | CAHME |
History | 26 | 36 | $146,347 | Institutional |
Holistic Medicine | 9 | 10 | $118,384 | ACAOM CNME |
Homeland Security | 55 | 122 | $97,494 | Institutional |
Hospitality Management | 29 | 46 | $105,255 | ACPHA |
Human Resources | 97 | 152 | $133,996 | AACSB ACBSP |
Human Services | 58 | 95 | $88,913 | Institutional |
HVAC | 4 | 6 | Not reported | Institutional |
i | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Industrial Engineering | 5 | 7 | $128,528 | ABET |
Information Technology | 117 | 269 | Not reported | ABET |
Interior Design | 5 | 5 | $82,486 | NASAD |
j | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Journalism | 21 | 25 | Not reported | ACEJMC |
l | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Landscape Design | 3 | 3 | Not reported | LAAB |
Law | 38 | 102 | $104,452 | ABA ABA |
Law Enforcement | 17 | 35 | $97,494 | Institutional |
Legal Nurse Consulting | 2 | 2 | Not reported | ABHES |
Liberal Studies | 43 | 76 | $132,399 | Institutional |
Library Science | 44 | 68 | Not reported | ALA |
m | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Management | 296 | 1,105 | $121,771 | AACSB |
Marketing | 93 | 135 | $109,764 | AACSB |
Marriage & Family Therapy | 14 | 30 | $118,674 | AAMFT COAMFTE |
Mathematics | 59 | 82 | $163,125 | Institutional |
MBA | 7 | 9 | Not reported | AACSB ACBSP IACBE |
Mechanical Engineering | 8 | 17 | $158,024 | ABET |
Medical Assistant | 8 | 8 | $101,333 | ABHES |
Medical Billing & Coding | 28 | 40 | $121,284 | ABHES |
Medical Office Administration | 14 | 21 | $121,284 | ABHES |
Music | 9 | 12 | $100,242 | NASM NASM |
n | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Network Administration | 11 | 13 | Not reported | ABET |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) | 87 | 210 | Not reported | ACEN ACEN CCNE NPWH |
Nursing | 169 | 472 | $109,577 | AANA ACEN ACEN ACME CCNE |
Nutrition | 34 | 42 | $98,178 | ACEND |
o | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Occupational Safety | 17 | 20 | Not reported | ABET |
Occupational Therapy | 5 | 5 | Not reported | Institutional |
Organizational Leadership | 161 | 315 | $122,889 | AACSB |
p | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Paralegal | 23 | 56 | $104,452 | Institutional |
Personal Training | 6 | 8 | Not reported | Institutional |
Pharmacy | 23 | 54 | $131,593 | ACPE |
Pharmacy Technician | 9 | 9 | $101,333 | ACPE ASHP |
Philosophy | 3 | 3 | $135,607 | Institutional |
Phlebotomy | 1 | 1 | $130,360 | NAACLS |
Photography | 1 | 1 | $88,820 | Institutional |
Physical Education | 14 | 18 | $99,895 | NCATE |
Physical Therapy | 11 | 11 | $106,870 | APTA |
Physician Assistant | 1 | 1 | $130,360 | ARC-PA |
Physics | 10 | 20 | $154,734 | CAMPEP |
Political Science | 15 | 23 | $143,393 | Institutional |
Project Management | 94 | 138 | $122,662 | AACSB PMI-GAC |
Psychology | 82 | 141 | $128,406 | APA |
Public Administration | 101 | 214 | $96,887 | NASPAA |
Public Health | 78 | 137 | $115,116 | CEPH |
Public Relations | 21 | 23 | Not reported | Institutional |
r | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Radiology | 7 | 12 | Not reported | JRCERT JRCNMT |
Real Estate | 13 | 19 | $113,145 | Institutional |
Religious Studies | 42 | 124 | $118,092 | ACPE |
Respiratory Therapy | 1 | 1 | $121,277 | CoARC |
s | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
School Counseling | 29 | 33 | Not reported | CACREP |
Secondary Education | 55 | 132 | $80,477 | CAEP NCATE TEAC |
Social Work | 26 | 29 | $91,177 | CSWE |
Sociology | 9 | 11 | $83,036 | Institutional |
Software Engineering | 25 | 34 | $121,057 | ABET |
Sonography | 1 | 1 | Not reported | Institutional |
Spanish | 18 | 22 | Not reported | Institutional |
Special Education | 174 | 440 | $66,113 | CAA CAEP |
Speech Pathology | 9 | 9 | Not reported | CAA |
Sports Management | 36 | 46 | $96,055 | Institutional |
Statistics | 22 | 30 | Not reported | Institutional |
Substance Abuse Counseling | 38 | 48 | $118,674 | CACREP |
Supply Chain Management | 51 | 61 | Not reported | Institutional |
Systems Engineering | 37 | 55 | $175,296 | ABET |
t | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Teaching | 218 | 658 | $84,311 | CAEP MACTE NCATE TEAC |
Theology | 13 | 18 | Not reported | CAATS |
v | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Veterinary Technician | 3 | 3 | $101,333 | AVMA COE |
Video Game Design | 6 | 6 | Not reported | Institutional |
Vocational | 32 | 76 | $88,934 | PABCTE |
w | Online Schools | Programs | Annual Salary | Accreditation |
Web Design | 22 | 28 | Not reported | Institutional |
Web Development | 26 | 37 | Not reported | Institutional |
Recommended Non-Profit Schools Offering Online Certificate Programs
All schools included in our highlighted list offer the most online certificate programs in addition to being non-profit and regionally accredited. Schools such as Drexel University and University of California - Los Angeles have over 60 online certificate program options. For consideration in our highlighted list, schools needed to meet the following guidelines:
- Non-profit status
- Regional accreditation
- Strong student support services
Schools are listed in alphabetical order.
Dallas Baptist University
This Christian-based university utilizes small online class sizes, expert instructors, and thorough education to provide students with a rich experience. There are 61 programs available, and a 92% student course completion rate. Curriculum is self-propelled, so individuals can complete their coursework on their own time, never having to log in at a specific time. Undergraduate certificate programs include health care management, lay leadership for education or sports ministries, and criminal justice for organizational security or law enforcement, among others. Graduate certificate can be earned in the areas of education, health services, and leadership, just to name a few. One post-master's certificate program is available, school superintendency, which is designed for individual's who hold their master's degree and a principal certification with the desire to become a school superintendent. Applicants to Dallas Baptist University are required to craft a letter of intent that includes which certificate they desire to pursue and why, personal goals, and reasoning behind the decision to apply to the university. In addition a minimum 2.5 GPA is required for undergraduate programs, and a 3.0 for graduate-level coursework.
Drexel University
Professionals are able to engage in nearly 50 online certification courses taught by nationally-recognized and tenured on-campus faculty to assure that the curricula is equal. Drexel University focuses on connecting peers through online forums. Undergraduate and graduate programs cover a broad range of curriculum, including business, computer science, education, engineering, and public health, among others. Courses are taught by industry professionals that bring public and private sector work experience to the highly interactive online learning classrooms. Currently, Drexel University partners with over 500 corporations, school districts, professional associations, and health systems throughout the country to offer employees opportunity for career advancement. With reduced tuition fees and on or off-site events that cater to professional development, earning a certification that meets an organization's needs is conveniently streamlined through Drexel.
Fort Hays State University
For online programs with flexible learning options and schedules, Fort Hays State University is an affordable option. Tuition ranges from $207.24 per credit hour for undergraduate certificates to $272.71 per credit hour for graduate programs. There are certificates available in departments including interdisciplinary studies, management & marketing, nursing, and political science, among others. Students over the age of 21 do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores during the admission process; all students must complete an application and submit their official high school and, if necessary, college transcripts. Programs range from 9-16 credit hours and curriculum is delivered via CD-ROMs, DVD, guided study, the internet, and internet protocol television (IPTV). Certifications awarded to students do not contain information that identifies the program as online or virtual, as the curriculum is equal to coursework that would be completed on campus.
Indiana University - Bloomington
There are over 50 online undergraduate and graduate certificates available to professionals looking to supplement their work experience or degree. Additionally, there is a full resource center available to adult long-distance students to assist with the transition into academia and provide academic and career advisors. Professionals can earn undergraduate certificates in the fields of leadership, human resources, and applied mathematics, just to name a few. Graduate certificates are available in education, business, and public health. The Business Foundations Certificate allows students to complete 21 credit hours of coursework in accounting, operations management, and human resource management taught by business professionals.
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
Ranked as the No. 1 school in the nation for educating the most well-rounded and best-prepared graduates by The Wall Street Journal, students are prepared for success as they complete undergraduate and graduate programs. Undergraduate programs range from organizational communication to earth sustainability, and financial planning to digital arts. Graduate programs include applied statistics, business analytics, educational technology integration, and philanthropic leadership, among others. The online programs are taught by the on-campus faculty and the curriculum is the same that traditional students receive. Programs range from 12-30 credit hours for both undergraduate and graduate curriculums to facilitate flexible, accelerated learning for working professionals. Students are able to utilize a combination of self-study and peer-to-peer interaction in an online learning network to enhance their education with a schedule that is convenient for them.
Rio Salado College
At Rio Salado University, students can choose between a Certificate of Completion and an Academic Certificate to enhance their professional career. There are programs available in the field of Early Childhood Education, Mobile Apps Programming, Human Development, and Language and Literary Culture of the USA. Students take courses in a variety of language courses, Course duration ranges between 16 and 21 credit hours, and students must maintain a 2.0 minimum GPA. For online learners Maricopa County, tuition is very affordable, at $84 per credit hour, and only $215 per credit hour for out-of-state students. In addition to being cost effective, Rio Salado University offers 24/7 tutoring and online support services to their distance learners so students are able to get the academic and career help that they need.
University of California - Los Angeles
UCLA offers over 60 online certificate programs ranging from business studies to education, entertainment studies to engineering & technology, with a myriad of programs in between. Professionals can earn a certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Parent Education & Training, or Credit Analysis & Management. The competitive pricing and flexible schedules affords students the ability to enhance their career or gain entry into a new one. With over 100 years of continuing education service, UCLA has experienced professors that provide strengths-based learning and the ability to customize programs for corporate certification training. Individuals are able to choose their pace of learning from one day to 12 weeks and engage in project-based curriculum.
University of South Florida Online
Referred to by the University of South Florida as Innovative Education, the online graduate degree program provides students with valuable educational experience in a focused and accessible format. Completing a graduate certificate increases a professional's competitiveness in the workforce, enhances their performance with newly acquired skills, and helps keep them relevant with ever-changing businesses. Most of the certificate programs take one to two years to complete depending on pace and how many credit hours were transferred. Program fields include behavioral, counseling, and community engagement, crime investigation/cybersecurity, engineering and technology, and education. Florida residents can expect to pay $481.43 per credit hour, while non-residents living outside of Florida pay $502.65. The graduate certificate program requires applicants to hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, have a minimum GPA and GRE scores, and meet individual program specifications.
University of Washington - Seattle
The University of Washington offers over 50 online certificate programs to give working professionals the ability to advance in their career. From business to social sciences, to liberal arts, the certificate programs utilize novel technology and user-friendly e-learning tools to ensure that students are absorbing the material and taking advantage of practical application opportunities despite the fully online curriculum. Some unique certifications include applied animal behavior, business intelligence: building the data warehouse, cloud data management & analytics, and drug discovery & design. Program duration ranges from 4-15 months, with the majority being completed within 8 months. Students are able to attend many of the course sessions in real time by using Adobe Connect Web conferencing software, which affords them the ability to ask questions and interact with peers or professors. The sessions are also recorded to give students the opportunity to review the material at a later time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Certificate Programs
A post-secondary certificate is a popular option, with the National Center for Education Statistics estimating that 955,000 certificates were awarded in the United States between 2017 and 2018. A certificate typically requires two years or less from enrollment to completion. These programs are available to those who want to enter into a new career but lack the time or money to pursue a college degree. As we reported on our sister site, GradReports.com, the data suggests that having some higher education experience, even without completing a degree, increases employment rates.
What fields can I earn certificates in online?
Individuals can earn an online certificate in a broad range of subjects. Those with a high school diploma or GED can choose an online certificate program in fields such as computer/information technology (IT), dentistry, medical billing/coding, HVAC, or veterinary medicine. Individuals with a post-secondary degree can specialize or demonstrate proficiency in their field by obtaining a certificate in project management, business administration, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, or IT, among others.
What are the benefits of earning a certificate?
Higher education typically leads to higher wages and lower unemployment. According to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people who have completed some college have median weekly earnings of $833 and a 3.3% unemployment rate, compared to $746 and a 3.7% unemployment rate for those with only a high school diploma. Earning a certificate through online courses allows students to pursue an education on a flexible schedule. Students who earn a certificate at an accredited school may also be able to apply their earned credits toward a 2- or 4-year degree program.
What certificates lead to the highest pay?
Some of the highest-paying careers that require only a certificate are in the computer/IT, HVAC, bookkeeping, medical, and dental fields. According to the BLS, computer support specialists earned a median annual salary of $54,760 in 2019. Other jobs that led to significant salaries in 2019 include HVAC technicians ($48,730), medical records technicians ($42,630), bookkeepers ($41,230), and dental assistants ($40,080).
Many of these fields are also in high demand. Several in-demand careers that only require a certificate are in the veterinary, computer/IT, medical, and dental fields. The BLS notes that the demand for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is expected to increase by 16% between 2019 and 2029, which is above the average for all occupations. However, the median annual salary for this field was only $28,590 in 2019. Other in-demand positions with higher median salaries are computer support specialists, medical records technicians, and dental assistants. Employment in these fields is projected to grow faster than average when compared to other occupations.