What type of program is best for me? What is a certificate program, and how is it different from a bachelor’s degree? There are so many different options, how do I know I’m picking the right one for me? I have a program in mind, but how do I know it’s the most cost effective? Works for my schedule? Will actually teach me what I need to learn? Will give me the right credential for the job I’m looking to attain?

Every year, millions of students all over the United States enroll in a “nontraditional” educational pathway; such as a certificate program, career training program, apprenticeship program, licensing program, custom program, stand-alone coursework, industry-recognized badge, etc., as a way to improve their job prospects and career outlook. This is a natural response to the exorbitant costs associated with pursuing a “traditional” bachelor’s or master’s degree. It’s also reflective of the desire for people to transition into a new job/career as quickly as possible.

The nontraditional educational offerings listed above are not new, but they have become more abundant, prominent, and respected in both the public and private sectors. With millions of students enrolling annually, hundreds of millions of dollars in annual federal and state government funding dedicated to supporting these programs and students, and increased desire from private industry for people to graduate from these programs so they can then hire them, there has been tremendous growth in students enrolling in these programs and realizing their dreams. But with so many options, how can anyone make sense of all of them when trying to make a decision?