Online Certificate Courses

Certificate courses are gaining an increasing preference due to its flexibility and ability to educate an individual in a specified area of work. Many online certificate courses are available and are favored over traditional classroom teaching certificate courses by working professionals due to the ease of studying from their homes. Online courses also have the advantage of being fast with flexible timings, and in the present internet era, they have become all the more convenient and attractive.

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING ONLINE CERTIFICATE COURSE

This course is offered both online and on-campus by Harvard University. It includes 5 courses in the areas of language, programming and designing principles. A fundamental basis in computer science is necessary for the course. A formal application is not required. However, the classes that are to be taken must be registered for as early as possible, and the non-refundable registration fee is 50$. The course has a duration of 3 years, and it is mandatory to obtain a minimum of B grade in all the five courses. During the final semester of the course, it is necessary to download and complete the certificate request form and send it to the respective faculty for obtaining the certificate.

SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATE

This course is offered both online and on-campus by Harvard University. It necessitates the completion of 5 courses in the areas of Sustainability management, strategy, Environmental toxicology, etc. It is necessary to have a minimum of an undergraduate degree in a relevant field. A formal application is not required. However, the classes that are to be taken must be registered for, and the non-refundable registration fee is 50$. The course has a duration of 3 years, and it is mandatory to obtain a minimum of a B+ grade in all the five courses.

ONLINE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN CLINICAL INVESTIGATION

This online course is offered by the Boston University's School of Medicine covering various areas of clinical investigation such as trial designing, clinical trials regulations, improved research practices, etc. The course has a duration of 4 semesters and requires a minimum of an undergraduate degree in the relevant field along with a completed application form. Individuals who complete this course are eligible to take up the Clinical Research Coordinator Exam conducted by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

PHYSICAL EDUCATION, HEALTH EDUCATION AND COACHING

This course is offered by the Boston University's School of Education and requires the completion of 16 graduate credit hour courses online. This course covers the theories and concepts of Physical education, health education, and coaching. No background or a relevant education in this field is needed. Any undergraduate degree and a completed online application form are the only pre-requisites to apply for this course.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

This course is offered online by the University of California, Berkeley Extension and covers a variety of fields relevant to a successful project management such as marketing, information technology, international business, etc. Its completion requires 6 courses for a total of 14-semester units. The online courses can be taken at either one of the two levels namely Accelerated level (8 weeks of study) and normal level (12 weeks of study). If the Accelerated level is chosen the course can be completed within a year otherwise, it will take up to 2 years to be completed.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Online courses in Biotechnology are offered by Johns Hopkins University. Meant for professionals who have a college degree, are working and looking to increase their chance of advancement in the workplace, the course has been designed to offer full flexibility in the hands of the students, allows for a masters degree to be completed fully online.

ADMISSION PROCEDURE & REQUIREMENTS

Most certificate courses require very few minimum requirements which must be met to enroll in them such as:

• Good TOEFL Score: English is the medium used to teach these courses. So a high-level understanding in the spoken, written, and reading aspects of the language are expected i.e. a TOEFL score of greater than 90. Another option is to write the IELTS exam and get a score higher than 7.
• Prior Subject Knowledge: Not a requirement for most courses, if the course offered is highly advanced then proof of an undergraduate degree in the same field is a must.
• While the procedure changes according to the university which offers the course. The general procedure is to check the courses on offer online in the university website, send in an application with all the necessary documents (as stated on the website) along with the application fee if any. Another option is to go physically and meet the person who is in charge of the certificate course, submit your application manually.
• Many certificate courses are offered online by highly reputed and accredited Universities globally. The proper course must be chosen with relevance to the student's requirements and area of work.