Compare online business certificates

What is a business certificate?

A certificate in business attests to an individual's proficiency, expertise, and knowledge in a specific area of business or a particular skill set, like in the case of a business management certificate. Certificates in business are typically awarded by educational institutions, professional organizations, or certifying bodies, and they serve as formal recognition of a person's qualifications and abilities in a particular field.

Obtaining a certificate of business can set you apart from other professionals and make you a more attractive candidate for job promotions, raises, or career advancement opportunities. Completing a course or courses demonstrates your commitment to ongoing education and professional development.

What are the different types of business certificates?

Outside of a general business certificate, different types of business certificates offer various specialties and lenses through which to approach a business-centric career. Depending on your goals and aspirations, pursuing one or many of the available certificates can round out your online bachelor’s in business degree or help you upskill in a particular area of business.

Business certificates other than a general business certificate include:

• Business management certificate

More concentrated on management principles than a general business certificate, a business management certificate focuses on management and leadership skills, including team dynamics, decision making, and strategic management. It prepares individuals for supervisory and management roles.

• Business administration certificate

Administration business certificates typically cover a broad spectrum of business management topics, including leadership, organizational behavior, strategic planning, and operations management.

• Business analysis certificate

Unlike general business certificates that provide a broader knowledge base, a business analysis certificate has a narrower scope and teaches learners to understand business processes, gather requirements, and make recommendations for process improvements.

• Business finance certificate

A finance-focused business certificate online program includes a specific set of courses or modules that cover financial principles and practices applicable to business. Common topics may include financial analysis, investment strategies, risk management, financial planning, and corporate finance.

Browse business certificates online

Solidify or expand your knowledge of business concepts with online business skills courses. For an intensive program designed for upleveling quickly, consider boot camp programs online.

Exploring available online certificates may help clarify your learning path.

Interested in more advanced offerings? Check out various online master’s in business programs.

Admission requirements for a certificate in business

Admission requirements vary for each certificate in business course or program type. Possible requirements include transcripts of previous coursework or placement test scores. Often, open course programs have no barrier to entry while Professional Certificate programs require letters of recommendation and certain prerequisite courses. Comparatively, executive education programs suggest a foundational knowledge of certain concepts to succeed in the program. Additionally, MicroMasters® programs offer open enrollment and a potential route toward a traditional master’s degree, if desired.

What you’ll learn

Online business certificate programs typically cover a range of topics, with the specific curriculum depending on the program's focus and the institution. Common subjects in business certificate programs include:

• Business fundamentals

• Financial management

• Project management

• Business ethics

• Business communication

• Operations management

What can you do with a business certificate?

Completing a business certificate online can prepare learners for a number of roles. Acquiring industry knowledge, such as data science skills or other types of business certificates, can boost your qualifications as a candidate. Some business certificates may strengthen your analytical skills — check out how analytical skills can boost your résumé to see how you can become more attractive to employers.

Depending on the nature of your business certificate online program and specialties covered, after completion, you may be able to obtain roles like:

• Business analyst

• Financial analyst

• Marketing coordinator

• Program manager

• Operations manager

• Account manager

• Human Resources coordinator

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