The Certificates Surge: What are college certificates and why do they matter?

According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCR), more students earned a college certificate in 2023 than in any of the previous 10 years.

What exactly are college certificates and why has there been an increase in interest from both students and employers in the last year?

Certificates are not the same as a major or minor, but they can be added to your studies by providing specific skills that help you stand out in job applications and interviews. They can be completed through taking classes, gaining real-world experience or a combination of both. All completed certificates will be noted on your academic transcript and can help signal to employers that you have specific skills and competencies, usually by completing three to four classes.

“Certificates open so many doors for students, so if you decide to go one direction but want to change to another, you have the skills to do so,” said Megan Maresh, program coordinator for the Professional Selling certificate.

Students can also expect to connect with business partners and gain knowledge and experiences that help them prepare for specific jobs through guest speakers and events within their curriculum.

Certificates are not just important to students and teachers, but also to perspective employers when searching for the perfect candidate.

“They [employers] like being involved in the program; they get to come to the class and talk to students and be guest speakers, so it is a way for them to form a connection when they are recruiting for a position,” says Maresh. “They also like to know that the students they are hiring have had certain classes and experiences because it makes them a more well-rounded employee.”

To show employers that you have these skills, Maresh says it is important to note the certificates on your LinkedIn profile and resume and be sure to touch on the skills throughout job application processes, as it helps differentiate yourself from other applicants.

The School of Business provides students with access to four different certificates, each with a different goal and a specific director.

Certificate in Banking
The Certificate in Banking has four finance courses where students learn about management decisions, commercial credit and lending analysis, financial regulations and more. Earning this certificate prepares students for competitive banking careers in many commercial banking roles, a position that is highly versatile in this field. This certificate is most applicable to finance majors due to the prerequisites required.

Certificate in Entrepreneurship
The Certificate in Entrepreneurship is open to all undergraduate students of any major at the University of Kansas and graduate students with an accredited undergraduate degree. The certificate offers a combination of coursework and experiential learning opportunities to give students an understanding of the field of entrepreneurship, a skill that is beneficial for all majors and career paths.

Students also earn activity points to complete this certificate through School of Business entrepreneurship co-curricular activities like being an active member of The Catalyst and Jayhawk Consulting, where students gain unique real-world experience through the school.

The Jack Lockton Certificate in Insurance and Risk Management
The Jack Lockton Certificate in Insurance and Risk Management is offered for undergraduate business majors and minors in the Finance Academic Area. Through the completion of required and elective coursework that aligns with their major or minor, students have the skills to secure careers in underwriting, claims, agency and brokerage, risk management, consulting and more. Additionally, students can interact with industry professionals and partners to gain real-world insights and experiences in this area.

Certificate in Professional Selling
The Professional Selling certificate is open to all undergraduate students at KU. Students complete nine hours of coursework along with required experiential learning opportunities like sales panels or competitions. With a broad range of business partners, the Professional Selling Program provides students with networking opportunities, experiential learning activities and specific skills to succeed in careers in consultative selling.

For more information about specific certificates at the School of Business, visit business.ku.edu/degree-programs.