What it is
Graduate and post-master's certificates are focused, non-degree credentials at the graduate level. They let people build or verify expertise in a specific area — quickly and at lower cost than a full degree — and are often stackable toward one.
The degrees & designations
Postbaccalaureate credentials include:
- Postbaccalaureate CertificateBeyond the bachelor's, below a master's
- Graduate Certificate (GC)A short set of graduate courses
- Post-Master's CertificateBeyond the master's, below a doctorate
- Graduate Diploma / CAGS / CASAdvanced study credentials
How long it takes
Usually a handful of courses — a few months to about a year. Credits often count toward a related master's if the student continues.
What you study
A concentrated cluster of graduate courses in one area (e.g., data analytics, project management, a clinical specialty), without the breadth or capstone of a full degree.
Getting in
Postbaccalaureate certificates require a bachelor's degree; post-master's certificates require a master's. Admission is generally lighter than for a degree program.
Cost & funding
Lower than a full degree — priced per course — which makes certificates an accessible way to upskill or specialize.
Where it leads
Certificates support upskilling, specialization, career pivots, continuing education, and licensure requirements, and can stack into a degree later.
How it compares
These are non-degree awards that sit alongside the master's and post-master's levels. They're graduate-level but narrower and shorter than a degree.
Is it right for you?
A graduate certificate suits people who want targeted, credentialed skills without committing to a full degree — or a stackable first step toward one.
Explore further
This is a reference guide. Keep exploring the education resource:
Key facts
- TypeNon-degree graduate credential
- LengthA few courses; months to ~1 year
- KindsPostbaccalaureate, graduate, and post-master's certificates
- EntryBachelor's (or master's for post-master's)
- BenefitFocused, lower-cost, often stackable toward a degree
Where to learn more
Keep exploring the K12 Academics education resource library: