Masters Degree Vs. Graduate Certificate

Master's programs lead to academic degrees.

Master's degrees and a graduate certificates are the two most common graduate programs. A master's degree program leads to an academic degree. A graduate certificate indicates completion of a non-degree graduate level program in a specific area of study.

Master's Degree Features

Master's degree students specialize in a field or subject. A master's degree is a complete graduate academic degree program and students study coursework more advanced than undergraduate courses. Master's degree students typically finish a full-time degree in two to three years.

Potential

Graduate certificates help students gain continuing education credit, enter a new field, or gain skills in a specific area. Graduate certificates do not lead to a degree.

Certificate Time Frame

Each graduate program determines the number of credits to complete a graduate certificate. According to the University of Kentucky, a graduate program usually requires nine to 15 credits.

Fun Fact

A student can apply the credit from a graduate certificate to a master's or doctorate degree in many programs.

Expert Insight

You can find a quality graduate program online with College.gov's "College Navigator."

References

• University of Kentucky Graduate Bulletin

Resources

• College Navigator