Is an online course certificate just as good as a college degree?

[CasaNorba]

I'm currently under student loan probation till March of next year so I can't apply for any more student loans on the meantime.

If I want to go back to school I'm gonna have to pay everything out of my pocket which I can't at the moment so I've decided to just take some courses online, I was thinking of giving Lynda Learning a chance. but before I do I just wanted to make sure if online course certificates are actually worth going after and if they offer you a chance to start a career like a college degree would.

it obviously doesn't take rocket science to realize that online course certificate aren't just as reliable as an actual degree otherwise students here in America would not be wasting their time and money chasing degrees and colleges along with universities would probably all go out of business so I was wondering are online courses worth going after? even if they dont offer the same exact outcome as a degree would?

Yes they're a just as good as an actual

depends (please explain why)

they're good but nowhere near as good as a degree

no they are useless compared to a degree

[Leavesbound]

There are a lot of variables to consider. A lot depends on the major. A lot depends on the school. First, limit yourself to a school that is fully accredited in the field you are studying or by a general regional accrediting entity. That alone can be confusing because there are many fake or worthless accrediting agencies and accreditation varies a lot by subject. If the school has a brick and mortar campus and is regionally accredited by a legitimate accrediting agency then a B. A. in business from them via internet is just as legitimate as one you attended in person classes at. One way to tell is to contact the brick and mortar school that has a good reputation and ask them if they accept transfer credit from the internet school you are considering. Before anyone could really answer your question you would have to say what subject you are majoring in and the name of the school you are considering. Another way is to contact a few potential future employer's human resource departments and ask if they would consider a credential from the school you are considering to be legitimate. Ultimately they are the final judge.

[Chriscunning]

I am quite surprised people think certificates are 'as good as' a degree.

Lets say I do a project management certificate. I know the processes of project management well. But it won't assist me in understanding economics, finances, psychology of my employees, technical aspects of the field I am in (construction, software, etc). A degree usually touches base on all the aspects to you have a full understanding of what to look out for.

Imagine a 'structural engineer' who did his certificate in building and concert mixing. He builds your structure and it collapses because he didn't do his "reinforcement" certificate. Or the structure bursts into flames because he didn't do his "electrical" certificate.

But you point to your post exactly, doing certificates is definitely a win. It will really help you get a job fairly easily. But compared to a degree, still not. A degree is board based, a certificate is product based. If you moved to china who don't use google, your certificate is worthless. If you do a Java certificate you can't apply for a Web designer position. A degree focuses on design aspects, patterns, approaches, etc. Chances are you will learn a lot doing your certificates. But it's best to have them both hand-in-hand.

by the way it's also not to say if you got a degree you can get a Web design job either. Chances are you will land a web design job with a certificate. Confusing :-)

[amadimal]

These courses can be useful but only if you already have a diploma.
These courses, although legit, aren't recognized as studies by any Ministry of Education or Ministry of Labor. The diplomas they offer aren't seen as legal papers that attest your knowledge.
The academic learning system works based on ”credits”. These credits are used to measure your expertise in a certain domain. You need a certain number of credits to get an officially and legally recognized diploma. To get the required number of credits, you need attendance over the course of several years, exams, papers etc. - none of these is happening online.

[loves2learn]

Depends on your field and what kind of job you are looking for. Google offers some really great SEO certificate programs that would help you in that field. What kind of classes are you wanting to take?

[CasaNorba]

I was thinking of going for web development, computer science and trying not to be so pessimistic; graphic design

[loves2learn]

So the Google certs i mentioned would help you. You need SEO knowledge for web design. Does Lynda have graphic design classes?

[CasaNorba]

What is SEO? Yeah they got plenty of them

[loves2learn]

Search engine optimization. If you give them a new website you better be damn sure it shows up on the first page of Google.

[CasaNorba]

you mean the site I work on?

[loves2learn]

Yes. If you are developing websites they need to be search engine optimized.

[yashika2005]

Whether obtaining a CEH v12 certificate is worth it depends on your specific career goals and the industry you're targeting. For roles in cybersecurity, especially those focused on penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, or ethical hacking, the CEH certification can be highly beneficial. It demonstrates your proficiency in understanding and addressing cybersecurity threats, which can enhance your credibility and employability in these fields. However, it's essential to consider factors such as the cost of the certification, the time investment required for preparation, and whether the certification aligns with your career aspirations. Additionally, some employers may prioritize other certifications or practical experience over CEH. Therefore, researching job requirements and consulting with professionals in your desired industry can help you determine if pursuing a CEH v12 certificate is worth it for you.

www. securiumacademy. com/.../

[exitseven]

It depends on what you major in. Something non technical like business or English could be okay. I teach Computer Science at a college and I went through transitioning all my courses to online but I thought it was terrible. The college spent no money on training or hardware.
Maybe take one course to see if you like it. I don't know the transferability of these courses.. If you cannot take them with you it could be a waste of money.

[Shihab91]

Depends which institute provide this certificate? And in which field?

-There are different types of certificate some of them are just completing course certificate while others requires to pass an exam to pass. Sure second type is better.

I wouldn't say online certificate is better than collage. Usually collage is more general while online courses is more specialized in a certain field.

Online certificates are better then nothing. If you can get both that's even better.

[Quaintrelle]

Maybe check Coursera. They have courses from Universities around the world.

About your question, I am not sure if online courses are taken into consideration in a job selection. Only an HR from your area or around may be able to answer that.

[zagor]

Depends on what it's in and where it's from, just as with college degrees. It will likely be easier to find a job with a cert in computer coding than with a BA in Gender Studies.

[CasaNorba]

what would you say about Graphic Design, Computer Science, or Web Development?

[zagor]

They would be good, but better if you already had a degree.

But with the cost of college now...

[BLMUSER]

I've read that as long as the online courses are accredited, which means they are transferrable, it's just as good as physically going to college and taking the course.

[CasaNorba]

I can care less about that since I am not planning on going back to college at the moment. but I just I knew if taking those course was enough to land you a good career.

on the meantime I just found out that Lynda Learning is not accredited

[BLMUSER]

One of the most popular online accredited colleges is the University of Phoenix.

[Riebeck]

You could add online courses just to buff your resume. Unless it's related to the job you're applying for, they probably won't check

[slatyb]

It depends on what you want to do and the hiring practices of the companies who might employ you.

[karaspara]

I haven't done either but I feel like a degree is far more respected by employers etc

[padreflint]

I think it depends, are they accredited by a national body and are credits transferable?

[DENIZUNAY]

they're good but nowhere near as good as a degree