Are Graduate Certificates Worth It?

Written by Pooja Madhav

Published on 02-11-2025

There's nothing more satisfying than mastering new skills, knowing you've made yourself more valuable, kept your skills competitive and that you can bring deeper insights to your team. If you're hungry for that satisfaction, but are unsure if you want to commit to a full master’s degree program, a graduate certificate may be right for you.

What is a graduate certificate?

A graduate certificate lets you earn transferable credits, qualifying you to pivot roles or add responsibilities to achieve your desired job. Certificates are professional development tools that, at Purdue's business school, can be applied to a future master's degree program.

Graduate-level certificate programs are shorter in duration than a full master's program and focus on specific skills. There are a large variety of certificates that enable professionals to elevate their profile by helping them specialize and excel in specific qualifications, making them the ideal fit for their dream jobs. The Daniels School’s graduate certificates focus on STEM skills within business specializations.

Sophie Lee, a marketing professional, wanted to improve her data analytics skills, so she enrolled in the Daniels School's Digital Marketing & Analytics graduate certificate program, earning transferable credits.

Lee studied alongside master's students, giving her a glimpse into graduate student life. In the end, she realized she wanted another certificate and could balance master's level work with her job and life. She was able to pivot into a role that fit her passion.

"I got a certificate in Leadership, Change Management and Negotiations, and those were my most fulfilling courses. They helped me increase my soft skills, equipped me to climb the corporate ladder, and added extremely valuable qualities to my work." — Natalie McCann MSGSCM '24 + Leadership, Change Management & Negotiations Certificate

5 things that make a graduate certificate worth it

Graduate certificates help you stand out to job recruiters and accelerate your career.

A certificate enables specialized skill development, allowing you to gain in-depth information and tailor your skill set to excel at your employment opportunities.
It helps you qualify for promotions or new positions within your field and can increase your earning potential.
Graduate certificate programs are typically easier to apply for.
It provides you with the opportunity to network with industry professionals.
Earn one with flexibility and accessibility. Graduate certificates are often offered online.

If you earn your graduate certificate at the Daniels School of Business, you can take advantage of stackability by combining two certificates to finish a full master’s on your timeline.

What's the best path to obtaining a graduate certificate?

By contacting a Daniels School of Business recruiter or program manager, one can learn how to optimize the stackability of the graduate certificates.

The convenience of completing a graduate certificate paired with its easy accessibility at the Daniels School makes it the perfect method to bolster career prospects and expand skill sets.

Explore opportunities today!