The NY Times reports that "short vocational programs leading to a certificate are becoming the kudzu of the educational world. Instead of investing in a master’s, professionals itching to move up the career ladder can earn certificates in marketing strategies, credit analysis or even journalism."
In an economy that increasingly rewards specialization, more and more institutions are offering these programs, typically a package of five or six courses, for credit or not, taken over three to 18 months. Some cost around $1000. But the NY Times asked "Are they worth the paper they’re printed on?" The answer was: Not always.
