Business Management Certificate or Degree: What’s Best for you?

If you’re looking for opportunities to progress in business, there are a wide variety of options to help you upskill and refine your knowledge.

When finding what’s right for you, you’ll be faced with many choices, one of them: should you pursue a short form business management certificate or a full degree at business school? 

Each option caters to different professional needs and aspirations. There’s no right or wrong answer—your choice will depend on your career goals, financial situation, and the time you can put in.

Business Management Certificate or Degree: What’s the Difference? 

Business management certificates are typically designed to teach specialized, practical skills in a short time frame. A certificate can give you quick, actionable knowledge, ideal for advancing in or pivoting within your current field. 

Business certificate programs are therefore often designed for professionals who already have some experience or background in a given field and are looking to build on their skills or gain expertise on a particular subject. 

Certificates often focus on one subject. To name a few, this could include: business analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), digital marketing, supply chain management, or human resource management.

A business degree such as an MBA or business master's, on the other hand, serves as a foundation for broader career development and long-term growth. Degrees are often for those who are earlier in their careers, or professionals who are aiming to gain leadership and management skills required for higher-level job positions. 

It’s a long-term commitment that can take multiple years to complete, however in some fields a business master’s degree or even an MBA can be considered prerequisites for application to a role. 

Ultimately, the decision comes down to a balance of time, cost, and the career goals you want to achieve. Are you entering a new field? Or are you looking to enhance your skills and give your resume a boost?

If you’re contemplating which one you would like to choose, let’s break it down further to find the perfect fit for you. 

Business Management Certificate or Degree: Which Should you Choose? 

The choice between pursuing a business management certificate or a degree goes beyond just weighing up the type of education you’ll receive; it’s also about considering where you are in your career today and coordinating your educational path with your career aspirations. 

To make an informed choice, you’ll need to consider several factors, including time, cost, and your long-term career goals.

Cost 

First, let’s talk about cost. Business management certificates are generally considerably more affordable than degrees because they require less time to complete and cover a more specialized curriculum. 

This makes them an appealing option for those looking to gain new knowledge or fill a skills gap without the financial burden of a full degree program.

Degrees on the other hand, are a bigger financial commitment. However, though they often come with higher tuition fees, they also provide significantly greater depth in terms of learning and professional development.

In the long run, earning a degree could lead to greater networks and higher-paying job opportunities, especially in leadership roles or even executive positions. 

If you're currently working, check with your employer to see if they offer financial assistance for a degree or certificate program. Some companies offer aid as a perk, allowing you to either advance your education or even get reimbursed for the money you spent when working on your degree or certificate. 

Whether you choose a certificate or a degree, you shouldn’t choose one option over the other for the cost alone. There are still a few other factors to consider. 

Time

Next, consider the time commitment. Depending on the program you choose, business management certificates can be completed in a space of months, weeks, or even days. The short window spent working on a certificate makes this a great option for those who wish to study while working at the same time.

Additionally, certificates often have flexible schedules, involving self-paced study online or classes at evenings or weekends, making it easier to balance studies with professional responsibilities.

With some programs, if you complete a business management certificate at an accredited institution, some or all of those credits may even be applied toward an associate or bachelor’s degree in business, allowing you to build on your education at your own pace.

Meanwhile, degrees often require a number of years to complete (study periods can range from one or two years to significantly longer for part-time studies), meaning you will need to consider both the time you spend in school but also any time spent away from the workforce. 

Don’t let the time commitment scare you, however, as the greater requirement is a reflection of more in-depth learning and professional development opportunities. 

Goals

When choosing between a business management certificate and a degree, it’s important to consider your overall career goals, both short-term and long-term. 

Are you aiming to elevate to a considerably higher position in your field? Are you seeking to pivot into a new role? Do you simply need to fill a gap that is holding you back from the next promotion? The path you choose should align with where you are currently, and also where you would like to see yourself further down the road. 

Short-term Commitment 

If you’re looking to build up new skills quickly or move up within your company, a business management certificate might be the best option for you. 

A business certificate is a great resume booster, showing you have targeted and actionable knowledge that you can use immediately. Enrolling can provide you with a building block to add onto your existing experience and expertise.

Business management certificates are therefore ideal for those seeking a promotion, additional responsibility, or a new specialized role within their current industry. 

For example, if you’re already working in marketing but want to shift to project management, a project management certificate can help you transition into a leadership role, allowing you to stand out among your peers and stay up to date with what’s happening in your industry. 

What Certifications can I get Online?

To provide you with a few examples, here are some of the certificates that you can get online via business schools and online course providers.

There are an array of business certificates available at Harvard Business School including courses covering leadership and management. These certificates teach how to get things done and bring out the best in a team, whether you’re an aspiring, new, or seasoned leader.

Through online course provider Coursera, you can find a range of short courses in partnership with leading business schools and universities, offering certificates in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to cryptocurrency to entrepreneurship. 

Likewise, there are multiple certificates at London Business School covering all things Leadership, Strategy and Finance.  

Use our Business Education Planner to find the best program to meet your personal needs and goals.

Long-term Commitment 

If you’re considering a longer-term commitment to break into a new industry or significantly increase your earning potential, a degree might be a better investment for you than a short course. 

A business degree can provide a well-rounded education that can cover multiple aspects of business, or dive into a specific area providing an in-depth understanding of complex, specialized concepts. 

An MBA degree, for example, often covers management and leadership, finance and accounting, marketing and sales, business law and ethics. A more specialized program, such as a Master in Finance, will dive into highly technical financial theories and explore financial modelling, while providing students with the key skills required to work in the industry. 

Unlike certificates, which focus on a specific set of skills, a degree can give you a broader understanding of how industries, functions, and business models operate. This might be valuable to you if you’re just starting out, or are pivoting into the field. 

Business Management Certificate or Degree: How to Decide? 

Many employers prioritize degrees when hiring for management and leadership roles, while certificates are often best suited for professionals looking to build on existing experience.

Either way, your choice should align with where you would like to go next. If you need a quick way to move forward in your current role, a certificate can be a smart and beneficial choice for you. If you’re aiming for broader career advancement or are just starting out, a degree can provide the deeper knowledge and credibility needed to get there.

Interested in accelerating your career progression? Take our quiz to find out if staying where you are or pursuing a new role is your best path to success.