What Is the Difference Between a Certificate, Diploma and Degree?

Certificates, diplomas and degrees differ in the time it takes to earn each, 

as well as the credits required in order to graduate. 

Each of these academic achievements is suitable for certain specific fields or career goals.

Certificate Overview

A certificate is earned by a student after taking a series of courses in a particular subject. Students often earn certificates to get a step ahead in the professional field of their interest, and certificates may be offered in similar programs leading to degrees. For instance, there are certificates in business, literature and technical fields. In some technical programs, a certificate may be required.

There are also graduate certificates, often taken either alone or alongside a graduate degree program. In some programs, the student may use his or her electives to fulfill a certificate in order to make him or herself more desirable to a potential employer.

Certificate programs taken alone are similar to associate's degree programs. However, they take less time because general education courses are not required

Diploma Overview

Diplomas are some what similar to certificates but specialized for discretion making at relevant subjects and they're often awarded through specialized training institution, subjected to specific area. For instance, a diploma of Medical Laboratory Science is offered some countries as an alternative to an associate's degree or bachelor's degree. This diploma program is only offered at health institutions with specialty programs that provide training.

Degree Overview

An academic degree can be earned at many levels, including the associate's (two years); bachelor's (four years); master's (two years beyond a bachelor's degree); and doctoral, which is several years beyond a master's degree.

A degree program differs from certificates and diploma programs in that it often requires the student to take general education courses to support a more rounded education. For instance, at many universities, those earning their bachelor's degree are required to take English, math, science, philosophy and history.

Earning a degree also opens up more potential doors to the student than would a certificate or diploma. Many careers require that the applicant has earned at least a bachelor's degree; several career options require more than this.

Sri Lanka Society for Medical Laboratory Science

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