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Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Certificate Program or Bachelor's Degree?
Not sure if a certificate program or a bachelor's degree is the right step to progress in your education? Learn more about who should consider a degree program and who should consider a certificate program.
A certificate program or a bachelor's degree from WGU can both be a great fit for students who want to continue their education. If you want to try a few courses before committing to a whole program, or if you're looking for a quicker way to boost your résumé, a certificate program could be the right fit for you. If you're wanting a robust program with more courses, and a degree credential, a bachelor's program is likely the best fit for your needs.
What is a Certificate Program?
A certificate program at WGU is an set of 3-4 courses that result in a WGU Certificate in a certain topic or subject. Leadership, Web Application Deployment and Support, and Front End Web Development are some of the certificates students can earn through WGU. These programs have a set-price, are typically finished in a couple of months, and all the courses are fully transferrable into a WGU program if a student wants to pursue a bachelor's degree in the future. The curriculum is also competency-based so you can move at a pace that works for you. These certificate programs are a great way to try out online learning through WGU and understand if a subject area or online learning are a good fit for your future. They are also a great way to boost your résumé quickly, helping you add credentials that will impress employers faster.
What is a Bachelor's Degree?
At WGU you can choose from a wide variety of bachelor's degree programs in business, IT, health, and education. These programs are designed to fulfill all general education and specialty requirements to help you earn an accredited bachelor's degree. These programs are also designed to be industry relevant and help you boost your résumé and experience for the future. Bachelor's degree programs at WGU are competency-based, which simply means you are able to prove mastry and move at your own pace through the courses. There are no set class times, no deadlines for assignments, and you are in control of the pace of your education. You also pay for your bachelor's degree per six-month term, not per course or credit. Ultimately a bachelor's degree at WGU helps you earn a valuable, accredied, and meaningful degree in a way that works for you.
Who Should Choose a Certificate?
Want to try online education before investing in a whole program? Not sure how many months you have to dedicate toward a program? Want to get your feet wet in an industry? If any of these describe you, a certificate program could be the right fit for you. You may be an ideal candidate for a certificate if you:
- Want to try out some WGU courses before investing in a whole program
- Want a résumé boost more quickly
- Want to test out courses in a new industry
- Want a credential without doing a whole program
- Want to try out some courses and transfer them at a later time
Who Should Choose a Degree Program?
Ready to take on a bachelor's degree? Need that specific credential for your next career move? If you are ready to take on a bachelor's degree, one of the programs at WGU could be the right fit for you. You may be a good fit for a degree program if you:
- Have the time to complete a full bachelor's degree program
- Feel confident in your ability to take college-level courses
- Need a bachelor's degree on your résumé for your next career move
- Want more than just a few courses in a certain area
Benefits of a Certificate Program
- 3-5 months to complete
- One cost for the certificate
- Flexible coursework—do the courses on your time
- Courses fully transferrable to a WGU bachelor's degree
- Prepare for college-level coursework with additional support
- Further your skills for your current, or future job
Benefits of a Degree Program
- Cost per six-month term, not per credit
- Take as many courses as you are able during a six-month term
- Demonstrate mastery through a paper or test to move on to the next course
- No deadlines, no due-dates, no class time
- Individualized help with your Program Mentor
Career Opportunities
Both a bachelor's degree and a certificate program can help you be ready for the next move in your career. The added credential can help you be prepared for whatever career or education direction you are going next. WGU programs are career-focused and insutry-relevant, ensuring that your skills and experience will be valuable. Add a new credential to your résumé today!
Why WGU?
Be Career Ready
Designed with input from healthcare leaders, our accredited programs give you the skills and credentials today’s employers need. That’s why 97% of employers said they’d hire another WGU grad.1
1: 2023 Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU grads.
Get and Keep the Job You Want to Have
85% of WGU graduates are employed in their degree fields—and 87% are employed full-time.2
2: 2023 Harris Poll of 1,655 WGU grads.
Save Money
With flat-rate tuition that is 48% lower than the national average3 and generous need-based scholarships, our degrees are an excellent investment that you can afford.
3: National rates reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System in 2022. WGU average rate does not include rates for WGU Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Prelicensure program.
Work as You Need While Going to School
At WGU, you can complete courses, take tests, and graduate on your schedule. In fact, many of our healthcare students work full-time while earning their life-changing bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
"Not only was I single mother of three, I was also having to work and attend school full-time. Thankfully, WGU made it possible for me to succeed!"
Amanda Ogle
B.A. (Dual Licensure), Special Education and Elementary Education
COST & TIME
An Affordable Bachelor's Degree
By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
”The thing I am most proud of in my career is when my students tell me they love me. This proves to me that I have accomplished more than just teaching them math. WGU gave me these tools.”
—Tabitha Shelly
B.S., Math Education (Middle Grades)
Prepared for Success on the Job
*From a 2023 Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU graduates.
100% of employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.*
97% of employers said that they would hire another WGU grad.*
98% of employers said WGU graduates met or exceeded expectations.*
