What is the difference between a masters degree and a masters certificate?

Answer 1

A master's certificte is post baccelaurate study but is made up of only a few classes that give a general basis of the content being studied (around 16 credits). A certificate is not regarded as highly as a master's degree. A master's degree often requires the student to be matriculated in a program and is required to complete around 36 credits and a thesis to graduate.

Answer 2

Certification is granted by a professional organization, usually after a educational and/or testing process has been met.

Once certified, a license may be obtained from the appropriate government agency. A license is a requirement to practice many professions.

Example:

Registered nurses must obtain certification from National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). They may then apply for licensure from their state board of nursing.

That is not always true. The Federal Aviation Administration does not issue a license. They only issue certificates. There is no such thing as a pilot's license or aircraft mechanics license. These are both certificates.

A license will expire but a certification doesn't. Certifications may require additional training to maintain the currency of the certificate but they are valid until surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

Answer 3

Certificate: A document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts

Certification: The act or process of gaining a certificate or other measure or proof of accomplishing the set requirements.

Answer 4

In the context of management systems standards, "certification" refers to the issuing of written assurance (the certificate) by an independent, external body - such as BSI Management Systems - that has audited an organization's management system and verified that it conforms to the requirements specified in the standard. "Registration" means that the auditing body then records the certification in its client register.

The organization's management system has therefore been both certified and registered. For practical purposes, then, the difference between the two terms is not significant and both are acceptable for general use.

That said, "Certification" seems to be the term most widely used worldwide, although registration (from which "registrar" as an alternative to registration/certification body) is often preferred in North America and the UK, and the two are also used interchangeably.

On the contrary, using "accreditation" as an interchangeable alternative for certification or registration is wrong, because it means something different.

In this context, accreditation refers to the formal recognition by a specialized body - an accreditation body - that a certification body is competent to carry out certification in specified business sectors. BSI is among the most respected and reputable management systems certification bodies in the world and is accredited by around 20 local and international bodies.

In simple terms, accreditation is like certification of the certification body. Certificates issued by accredited certification bodies - and known as "accredited certificates" - may be perceived on the market as having increased credibility. This was taken from www.bsigroup.com

Answer 5

Certification is the process of getting the documented proof (Certificate) for the knowledge/Experience gained on particular topic.

Credentials is an attestation of qualification, competence, or authority issued to an individual by a third party with a relevant competence to do so

Answer 6

to get a certificate you need to complete a course at university which could take less then a year, but it's not going to help you get another degree e.g. bachelor's degree. a degree is more of a step forward in life. it helps you achieve a higher ranking e.g. bachelor's degree. getting a degree takes longer though, about two years.

Answer 7

When you are certified it means you have been approved to do something, but when you are qualified you have been approved and have the skills or prerequisites to do a task.