subject: Certificates And Diplomas – Top 4 Tips on How To Follow The Qualifications Trail [print this page] Certificates And Diplomas Top 4 Tips on How To Follow The Qualifications Trail
The qualifications trail can really get on people's nerves. Making lifetime decisions in a maze of options isn't much fun, and it's not easy. It's not always clear what a certificate or diploma can do for you, or what academic options they create. There's often no clear career path to follow. People can literally talk themselves out of getting a useful qualification like amarketing degree, simply because they don't have enough information.
Diplomas (diploma in business administration, diploma in business management)
Undergraduate degrees (Bachelors Degree)
Graduate degrees (Masters Degree)
Advanced degrees (MBA, MFA)
Doctorates (PhDs)
Ask the college for clarification of entry qualifications, and you'll find that the advisors can explain anything you need to know.
Note: Ask for advice if you aren't sure if a qualification is suitable as a prerequisite. The advisers will know how to sort out these situations for you, so you definitely won't be wasting time.
Tracking backwards from a degree
The easiest to follow of qualifications trails starts from your career goal degree.
For example:
Your career goal is a Masters of Business Administration, the all-purpose business degree which is a global business standard qualification.
Tracking backwards to certificate qualifications, the stages in qualifications for an MBA are:
A business management degree, normally a Masters Degree in Business Management or Administration
A Bachelor of Business Management or Marketing
A business administration or management diploma
A certificate in business administration or management
It's not really a very complex qualifications trail at all. It's actually an extension of the normal business qualifications process. It just looks complicated if you approach it from the starting point.
The qualification period for an MBA is about 10-12 years, which is about average for a postgraduate degree. An MBA is a goal you can realistically expect to achieve in a reasonable time frame, starting from any level of qualification.
Finding the trail
Customizing your personal trail is very valuable if you're intending to specialize in a professional field. It also gives a fully researched, working model of your qualifications progression and options.
To find your personal trail:
Research the degree options
Research electives and specialist requirements
Research course models
You can have a fully structured, thoroughly checked out, qualifications trail organized quite quickly. You can also compare options, valuable when choosing a college.
Getting help and advice when you need it
There are big decisions to be made, and you must be absolutely certain of your qualifications needs. You can get help from professionals in your field andbusiness colleges. Ask for options and opinions, and you'll get good and sometimes enlightening perspectives on your choices. The decision is yours, but be reassured the support will be available when you need it.
