Unity College’s certificate programs add value to any degree

A graduate certificate with a focus on the environment can be the ideal way to enhance your skills and advance your career, whether you already have your graduate degree, or if you have a bachelor’s degree and aren’t quite ready to commit to a full degree program.

Since 2000, the number of students earning graduate certificates has more than doubled according to a report by Statista, and Forbes.com has found that certificates help students raise their income by an average of 13 to 25 percent.

A report by the Pew Research Center highlights the need for new educational and skill-building programs to prepare for a future where automation and AI will make more and more traditional jobs obsolete. Experts point out that graduate certificates are accessible ways for employees to gain new skills without significant disruption to their careers.

Unity College Distance Education offers two graduate certificates programs: The Certificate in Environmental GIScience and the Certificate in Sustainability. Students must hold a bachelor’s degree to join a certificate program and the curriculum features graduate-level courses, but without the commitment of a full graduate degree.

The 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Sustainability helps students build a framework for understanding and addressing environmental problems. Through courses such as Thinking in Systems, Climate Dynamics, and Leading Sustainable Change, students learn to approach climate issues for a range of viewpoints.

With Unity’s Graduate Certificate in GIScience, students learn to master state-of-the-art GIS software while exploring environmental issues from a whole new perspective. In fact, Unity’s online students get free access to ArcGIS, the leading GIS software, when they enroll in classes with Unity. Students will study topics in GIS and remote sensing, environmental research methods, map making, and more, in this 15-credit-hour program.

Both the GIScience and Sustainability graduate certificate programs feature five start dates per year, and financial aid is available. Each certificate program is also considered stackable, so after a student completes the certificate, they can roll over their credit hours to pursue a Master’s.

Need help deciding on the right program for you? Unity’s Distance Education concierges can discuss your options with you and help you find the right program for your future.