Certificate Programs
The Skills You Need For Your Specific Career Path
The world is changing every day. Jobs that existed yesterday may be gone tomorrow. Jobs needed in the future will need qualified candidates. Your life has probably changed too. Whatever is next for you, we have career certificate programs online that can make you more hirable, promotable, and valuable.
Consider coming to Grand Valley State University to earn one of these focused certificates and getting the specific skills employers are asking for without the time commitment or cost of a bachelor’s degree program. Plus, all the certificates are completely online in six-week courses to fit your busy life.
Choose from Five In-Demand Options
Business Fundamentals
Our Business Fundamentals Certificate helps you develop financial and accounting acumen, as well as better understand the fundamentals of the human side of business and organizational operations. You will build the knowledge and skills necessary to better understand and manage in your organization. Skills developed include analyzing financial statements and performance, creating operating budgets, managing and motivating others, and analyzing and using marketing information.
Project Management
The Project Management Certificate integrates industry-proven project management practices with Agile principles. Students work in small teams to effectively initiate, plan, execute, control, and bring closure to real-world project(s) using MS Project and other enterprise project management software.
Project management is an in-demand skill and this program prepares you for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Applied Data Analytics
The Applied Data Analytics Certificate focuses on understanding how to interpret, use, and apply data and statistics in the workplace. Students learn foundational computing and statistical skills like visualization, predictive analytics tools, and computer coding in Python and R.
Data analytics is a booming profession that continues to grow every year. This certificate is great on its own but also a fantastic starting point for the Data Science and Analytics master's degree at GVSU.
Leadership
The Leadership Certificate focuses on social change and business communication and includes further exploration into organizational theory, team building, design thinking, and grant writing. Students will develop professional skills that employers are looking for such as team building and ethics.
Leadership skills are desirable in Michigan and nationwide. There have been over 100,000 Michigan jobs available that list leadership skills as a requirement.
Intercultural Communications
The Intercultural Communications Certificate prepares you with skills in effective communication within and across diverse international organizations by focusing on intercultural learning and competence in the global workplace.
Students will demonstrate effective communication skills that can be applied within a range of workplace, digital, and societal settings.
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Spring/Summer 2025 |
Fall 2025 |
Winter 2026 |
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Session 1: May 5 - June 18 |
Session 1: August 25 - October 8 |
Spring 2024: January 12 - February 25 |
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Session 2: June 23 - August 5 |
Session 2: October 22 - December 13 |
Summer 2024: March 16 - May 2 |
Bachelor's + Certificate
Would you like to combine a certificate with a bachelor's degree? Visit our bachelor's plus page or schedule an appointment with our advising team to find out how you can make it happen!
Admissions Requirements
This program is designed for motivated learners who want to earn a certificate with a virtual community of similarly dedicated individuals. The admissions requirements are;
- a completed application
- official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended
- 30 completed college credits
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
Tuition
Financing your degree is one of the greatest concerns adults have in returning to college. GVSU offers options to help you fund your education.
- Financial aid is available to students in eligible programs year-round
- Company Deferment Plan can help you to reduce out-of-pocket costs when using an employer-sponsored tuition benefits
- Admitted students can apply for institutional scholarships in GVSU's myScholarships portal
Tuition and Fees for the 2025-2026 academic year can be found on the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship's website.
Estimate Your Cost
Use our cost calculator to estimate your cost to attend GVSU.
Speak With Our Advising Team
We know you are busy and we are here to help you get started. Our advisors will:
- explain the goals and outcomes of our certificate programs;
- discuss services and support available throughout these training programs;
- assist with the admissions and financial aid process
You can get in touch with any one of our advisors by calling (616) 331-7180, emailing, or by scheduling a phone or virtual appointment below