By Jordan Friedman
After Logan Agnaarsson earned a master’s degree online in agricultural and life sciences last year, he realized he wanted to learn more in particular about plants and soils.
So the Washington resident turned to an online graduate certificate program in horticultural science at North Carolina State University. Costing less than a degree and requiring less time to finish, these certificates often teach specific skills or hone topics within larger fields – as opposed to degrees, which are more broadly focused.
Employers with whom Agnaarsson has spoken about possible job opportunities in the field typically don’t disapprove of the fact that the certificate is being earned online, he says. In fact, some ask him additional questions and express interest in particular courses.