Professional certifications can offer huge incentive for individuals looking to jumpstart their career. Similar to degree programs, certifications can be earned by successfully passing a specific amount of coursework in a niche field of study. Generally speaking, the length of time it can take someone to complete a certification program is typically not near as long as an associate or higher degree program, not to mention the cost can be considerably less as well. Also, sometimes the admission pre-requisites for a certificate program are less difficult than a traditional associates or degree program.