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

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.

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.)