Certificate programs offer a fast track to career success
Friday, August 22, 2025 12:00 AM
Credentials matter in a competitive job market, and a certificate is the perfect tool for career advancement or for making your resume stand out.
The short-term training required to earn a certificate often leads to a bigger salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers age 25 and older with a certificate earned a median weekly wage of more than $900 in 2024.
This reinforces the value of certificate programs as practical and financially rewarding for those seeking to improve their employment prospects without committing to a full degree.
The short-term training required to earn a certificate often leads to a bigger salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers age 25 and older with a certificate earned a median weekly wage of more than $900 in 2024.
This reinforces the value of certificate programs as practical and financially rewarding for those seeking to improve their employment prospects without committing to a full degree.
A competitive edge for those seeking to reskill or upskill
Macomb’s certificate programs are tailored for individuals who want to gain practical, job-ready skills in a short amount of time. Some certificates are earned in as little as five weeks while others may be completed in a few months. This added effort gives you an edge employers will notice.
“You’re a hiring manager and you have 20 resumes in front of you. One person has a professional selling certificate and 19 others don’t. The certificate helps you stand out,” said marketing professor Joe Rice. “So why not give yourself that leverage in the marketplace while learning skills that you’re also going to be using on the job?”
Macomb’s certificate programs are tailored for individuals who want to gain practical, job-ready skills in a short amount of time. Some certificates are earned in as little as five weeks while others may be completed in a few months. This added effort gives you an edge employers will notice.
“You’re a hiring manager and you have 20 resumes in front of you. One person has a professional selling certificate and 19 others don’t. The certificate helps you stand out,” said marketing professor Joe Rice. “So why not give yourself that leverage in the marketplace while learning skills that you’re also going to be using on the job?”
If you’re interested in launching your own business, a certificate gives you the practical knowledge to get started and succeed.
“If you’re an art student and you want to open an art gallery or if you’re a dental student and you’re planning to open a dental clinic, you’re going to need to know about running a business,” said marketing professor Monique Beauchamp. “The business entrepreneurship or the marketing classes certificates can give you the tools to succeed.”
A starting point toward a degree
Rice said certificates are also ideal for students who may be interested in a certain area but unwilling to commit to a full degree.
For students curious about digital marketing but not ready to commit to a full degree, enrolling in the certificate program is a smart first step. It allows them to focus on digital marketing courses without the need for general education, offering them an immediate experience in the field they’re exploring.
“It’s your chance to dip your toe into the water to see if a degree in this area makes sense to you,” Rice said.
Two pathways to success
Macomb offers two types of certificate programs:
Academic certificates – credit-bearing programs that can be completed in one or two semesters and can be applied toward an associate degree. They’re perfect for students who want to build a foundation for further education while gaining employable skills.
Some examples of the academic certificates offered at Macomb include:
“If you’re an art student and you want to open an art gallery or if you’re a dental student and you’re planning to open a dental clinic, you’re going to need to know about running a business,” said marketing professor Monique Beauchamp. “The business entrepreneurship or the marketing classes certificates can give you the tools to succeed.”
A starting point toward a degree
Rice said certificates are also ideal for students who may be interested in a certain area but unwilling to commit to a full degree.
For students curious about digital marketing but not ready to commit to a full degree, enrolling in the certificate program is a smart first step. It allows them to focus on digital marketing courses without the need for general education, offering them an immediate experience in the field they’re exploring.
“It’s your chance to dip your toe into the water to see if a degree in this area makes sense to you,” Rice said.
Two pathways to success
Macomb offers two types of certificate programs:
Academic certificates – credit-bearing programs that can be completed in one or two semesters and can be applied toward an associate degree. They’re perfect for students who want to build a foundation for further education while gaining employable skills.
Some examples of the academic certificates offered at Macomb include:
- Business - Accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship
- Technology and skilled trades - Mechatronics, automotive technology, HVAC
- Health care - Medical assistant, surgical technology
- Media arts - 3D animation, video production, web media
- Culinary arts - Pastry arts, culinary management
- Information Technology - Game development, data analytics, website programming
- Public safety and law - Criminal justice, fire science, homeland security
Workforce and Continuing Education - noncredit programs designed for quick skill-building and career advancement in a wide range of fields, including:
- Health care - Medical coding, nursing assistant
- Business - Digital marketing, real estate
- Technology and Skilled Trades - Robotics, CNC machining
- Public Safety - EMS, fire, criminal justice
- Transportation - Automotive, marine maintenance
- Personal enrichment and languages - English as a second language, photography
Whether you’re interested in launching a new career, upskilling for advancement or exploring a new field, Macomb’s certificate program offers a fast, flexible and affordable path. Visit our certificates program webpage to learn more.