Looking to grow your career without committing to another full-time degree? You’re not alone. More and more students and working professionals are turning to online certificate programs to sharpen their skills, stand out to employers, and stay competitive in a fast-changing job market.
In fact, a Pew Research Center study found that 54 percent of working adults felt that learning new, transferable skills in niche areas was essential to keeping up with an ever-changing economy. That’s where stackable certificates come in, offering a flexible way to build specialized knowledge without the rising tuition costs of full-time degree programs.
Stackable certificates are short, focused academic programs that can be completed individually or “stacked” over time to build toward a degree or career advancement. Unlike traditional degree programs, online certificate programs are designed to deliver specific, job-ready skills in less time and at a lower cost. Each certificate adds a layer of expertise, helping you customize your education path based on your goals or industry demands.
Stackable certificates allow you to build specialized skills quickly and affordably. Check out these examples of how combining certificates with your degree can open up new career opportunities and boost your earning potential.
Certificates differ from degrees in that they require less time, cost significantly less, and focus on specialized skills rather than broad academic study. Here’s how they compare:
Undergraduate degrees typically require up to 120 credits or four to five years of full-time study. In 2023, the average tuition ranged from $9,600 to $34,000 depending on factors like whether you were attending a public or private institution and whether you lived on or off campus.
If you want to pursue further education after earning a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree often requires at least two more years of study—and an additional $20,000. While master’s degree grads earn an average of about 20% more than those with only a bachelor’s degree, there’s another option: online certificate programs (aka stackable certificates).
At UTPB, we offer highly specialized, industry-recognized credentials in just 8 to 12 months at a fraction of the cost—around $5,000. These stackable certificates allow you to gain skills quickly and apply them immediately in the workforce, all while adding valuable expertise to your degree.
Stackable certificates offer a flexible, affordable way to gain specialized skills, boost your resume, and increase your earning potential—without committing to another full degree. Depending on the employer, a graduate certificate can be even more powerful than a master’s degree during the hiring process. That’s because certificate programs shape expertise in a very specific area, while a master’s degree tends to offer more generalized knowledge.
Students with an undergraduate degree in marketing, for example, may want to earn an additional digital marketing certificate or to re-skill and expand their career options without the hassle of earning a second degree. Working professionals can train in new specializations without needing to abandon their position to return to school.
In addition, prospective students may earn more than one certificate at a time, building one credential on top of another. This allows them to gain specific career skills and head into the workforce before deciding on a degree. Courses taken toward a certificate can count towards an undergraduate or graduate degree. This short-term online training model is ideal for upskilling quickly and affordably.
Looking for more benefits? Choosing add-on certificates also:
These programs are effective career advancement certifications that support lifelong learning and real-world readiness.
The University of Texas Permian Basin makes it easier than ever to earn stackable certificates that can strengthen your degree, with online certificate programs requiring just 9 to 14 credit hours.
If you’re an online undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled at UT Permian Basin, you can apply for a certificate program through the Office of Continuing and Professional Education. Depending on the program, you may have additional admission requirements.
If you’re an undergraduate student looking to boost your liberal arts or business degree, you may be interested in the following UT Permian Basin certificates:
Students working towards or currently holding a master’s degree may want to consider boosting their skills with programs including:
Going back to school is a big decision that can greatly impact your career. Luckily, there are several options for students wanting to further their education. UT Permian Basin is committed to helping students develop lifelong skills and knowledge they can use personally and professionally. Our undergraduate and graduate certificate programs are entirely online and accessible from anywhere in the world.
Maximize your skills at your own pace and convenience. Choose an online UT Permian Basin certificate program and pursue the career of your dreams!
Sources:
https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=76
https://evolllution.com/programming/credentials/stackable-credentials-defining-their-value
https://martinsburgcollege.edu/blog/2017/11/07/college-certificate-program-many-people-enrolling
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