Adult Learners See Certification as a Career Springboard

Certificate programs are growing in popularity within the continuing and professional education departments of colleges and universities. For adult learners, these programs provide career advancement without a lengthy — and costly — traditional degree program. In fact, according to a report from Eduventures, an education research and consulting firm, nearly half of all certificate students are motivated by the outcomes of their program — they view certificates as a tool to facilitate changing careers or meet minimum entry requirements or continuing education requirements for their employment. The report, “Consumer Preferences for Certificate Programs,” also found the next most important motivation to pursuing a certificate program was earning a higher education credential. A majority of students in a certificate program — 66.2 percent — indicated they are interested in counting their certificate credits toward a degree.

Read the rest of this report Here.