These non-degree programs can help build your skills
If you’re interested in learning new business skills but aren’t quite ready to commit to a full-time graduate program, there are more options available than you might think. Outside of traditional degree programs, there is a trio of Daniels College of Business offerings that can help you learn new skills, receive industry credentials and improve your career outlook.
Those are certificates, workshops and badges.
In this story, we’ll share what exactly each of these programs entail, the types of courses offered, how they are similar and different from traditional degrees, and how they can boost your career.
What are certificates, workshops and badges?
Roberta Nicknish
These are all non-degree programs to help build your skills, but there are distinctions between them. Their structure might differ at other universities, so we’ll use the framework at the Daniels College of Business to share more about each.
Roberta Nicknish, director of Graduate Student Services, says these offerings often allow students to feel out higher education, before diving into the rigor of a multi-year program.
“These are additional ways outside of a graduate degree to develop skills and take curriculum,” she said. “These could be in the credit or non-credit-bearing realm, but these are smaller, and potentially more accessible, ways to get some of the curriculum and skills you’re looking for.”
Graduate certificates
A graduate certificate is the most in-depth of the three offerings, letting you dig into the academic topic that interests you. Certificates are made up of either four or six graduate-level courses, depending on the certificate type. The four-course specialized certificate places you in four tightly focused foundation courses that build your skills in a specific area, while the six-course advanced certificate is designed for learners looking to develop more extensive skills. If you decide you’d like to go on and complete your master’s degree, the credits you’ve already earned will count toward your degree, and the application process will be streamlined.
Graduate workshops
Like certificates, workshops are taught by Daniels’ expert faculty and are designed to boost worker performance through relevant coursework and hands-on learning opportunities. The primary difference is in the length of time it takes to complete them. These can be as short as a half-day session, or up to five days. Workshops come in a variety of formats and feature content that addresses many aspects of the business landscape, helping to further your career and allow for professional growth. Topics include subjects like strategic finance, data visualization with PowerBI and accelerated leadership.
“Our leadership workshops provide participants with the chance to pause, reflect, reassess and build a robust plan for their leadership development—something often unavailable in their day-to-day routines,” said Erin Flaherty, the executive director of Executive Education.
Erin Flaherty
Micro-credentials and badges
Lastly, micro-credentials and badges are additional opportunities to gain relevant skills needed for today’s workforce. At the end of the short program, student receive a digital badge, the visual representation of having earned a micro-credential that can be shared to showcase the earner’s achievement.
Topics across a variety of business areas
Whether you’re interested in the nitty gritty of corporate finance or would prefer a more general look at business fundamentals, there’s likely a path for you. Daniels offers certificates in the subjects below:
- Business Analytics
- Business Fundamentals
- Construction Project Management
- Corporate Finance
- Digital Marketing
- Digital Transformation
- Investment Markets
- Leadership
- Marketing Analytics
- Outdoor Recreation
- Real Estate Development
- Real Estate Investment
- Supply Chain Management
Additionally, the College offers workshops and badges that include topics covering:
- Leadership and Business Acumen
- High-Performance Leadership
“In a business environment marked by rapid change, the agility and adaptability provided by intensive workshops and micro-credentials has become essential for professionals seeking to progress and thrive in their careers,” Flaherty added.
How they differ from a traditional degree
The key differentiator for these offerings is the minimal time and monetary obligation required to take part. Nicknish said it’s an ideal starting place for entry into higher education.
“It feels like a lot less commitment if you aren’t sure how much you want to take on,” Nicknish said. “It can allow you to take one class or one short workshop at a time.”
Despite those differences, students still have access to the College’s resources, faculty and network of alumni.
“Our faculty are the curators of the latest research in the leadership and business acumen world, offering participants invaluable access to cutting-edge insights and knowledge,” Flaherty added.
Pairing with a degree
Another benefit of these offerings is the flexibility to pair them with a longer program. By taking coursework under the Daniels umbrella, students have the opportunity to continue their education with a master’s degree, rolling the courses into their degree to graduate sooner. This is especially true for workshops and certificates, Nicknish said.
“A lot of times, students who start with a workshop or certificate are feeling out whether they want to get a degree,” she said. “These students matriculate to degree programs.”
The Daniels graduate admissions team can help students interested in doing so plot out their path.
“The sky is the limit; there are lots of different options for going into a degree or [taking additional coursework] within a degree,” Nicknish added.
Using certificates, badges and workshops to advance your career
Ultimately, the goal of certificates, badges and workshops is to help students expand their career opportunities, whether that’s with their current employer or with a new one. Nicknish said success often comes down to how you put a spotlight on what you learned.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about how you highlight what those new skills are,” she said. “It’s about what you learned and how you plan to apply it [in your job].”
Learn more about graduate certificates at Daniels and Executive Education workshops and badges, or contact admissions.