Current Overview of Academic Certificates in Technical and Professional Communication in the United States

Purpose: This paper provides a current overview of graduate and undergraduate academic certificates in the U. S. It details information about the current number of certificates, requirements, and courses, both required and elective. Method: The study employed qualitative inquiry methods based primarily on textual analysis and the deployment of codes to assign a summative attribute for course types. Results: The field presently offers 110 certificates, which represents a growth rate of 186% for graduate certificates and a growth rate of 191% for undergraduate certificates. Conclusion: Certificate curricular data show that, unlike other degree programs, there is still no consensus on what a certificate should be and what courses should be required. Questions are offered to help the field start conversations about certificates.