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What's the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification Program?

Posted February 14, 2025

student holding certificate

Keeping track of everything you hear about your child’s education can be as difficult as decoding their slang. (What in the world is “sigma?” And is it a good or a bad thing?) Creating a Generation Alpha Dictionary is outside our realm of expertise too, but we’re happy to help you with education-related terms.

A common mix-up is using “certificate” and “certification program” interchangeably. While they may sound similar, they describe different things.

In a nutshell, a certificate is earned after completing a course of study and is given by an educational institution, whereas a certification is earned after passing an assessment and is given by a business, trade association or other industry organization. For example, a student may earn a coding certificate from their school after completing a semester-long course on the subject. But to become an AWS Certified Developer, an individual must take an exam (which typically requires a fee), then Amazon awards the certification to those who pass.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences.

 CertificateCertification
Awarded byEducation institutionBusiness, trade association, industry
Earned fromCourse of studyAssessment
IndicatesEducationMastery
Completed in<2 yearsVariable

Table based on information from the Kansas State Department of Education

Does your student want to jump-start their career? Encourage them to take advantage of Kansas’ Excel in CTE program, which enables high schoolers to take certain courses tuition-free through technical or community colleges.

If you’re curious about another definition or confusing verbiage, send us an email and our team of experts will work on a blog to clear the air. (Please don’t be afraid to reach out — we’re willing to bet that if something is unclear to you, it’s unclear to other parents too.)

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