Why the Credential Type Matters Before You Enroll
Online learning has made education more accessible than ever, but it has also produced a crowded landscape of credentials that can be genuinely confusing. A "certificate" from one platform may carry college credit; from another, it may carry none. A "badge" might verify a single competency or represent hundreds of hours of study. Understanding what each credential actually is — and what it signals — helps you spend your time and money on credentials that match your goals.
This reference breaks down the three most common online credential types: certificates, degrees, and digital badges. For a broader look at how diplomas fit into this picture, see our guide to degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
| Accreditation body for degrees (U.S.) | Regional accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (U.S. Department of Education) |
| Typical badge standard | Open Badges (IMS Global / 1EdTech) (1EdTech Consortium) |
| Credit hours for a bachelor's degree | Approximately 120 semester credit hours (Common U.S. institutional standard) |
| Certificate types | Credit-bearing and non-credit |
| Degree levels available online | Associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral |
| Badge verification method | Embedded metadata, URL-verifiable by any viewer (1EdTech Open Badges specification) |
Certificates: Focused, Flexible, and Widely Varied
A certificate is a credential awarded by an educational institution or training provider upon completing a defined course or program. The term covers a wide range — from a single online course completion acknowledgment to a formal academic certificate that awards credit hours from an accredited institution.
The most important distinction is whether a certificate is credit-bearing or non-credit. Credit-bearing certificates are issued by accredited colleges and may count toward a degree program. Non-credit certificates — often offered by professional associations, workforce programs, or online platforms — do not carry academic credit, but they can still demonstrate relevant skills to employers.
Before enrolling, confirm the issuing body's accreditation status and whether credits are transferable. For help understanding how credit hours work, see our plain-language reference on credit hours and CEUs.
Credit-bearing certificate
A certificate issued by an accredited institution that awards academic credit hours, which may be applied toward a degree program.
Regional accreditation
The highest standard of institutional accreditation in the United States, granted by one of seven regional bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Credits from regionally accredited schools are most widely accepted for transfer.
Digital badge
A web-enabled credential image with embedded metadata that verifies a specific achievement or competency. Based on open standards, it can be independently verified online.
Continuing Education Unit (CEU)
A non-credit unit used to measure participation in professional development or training. Ten contact hours of instruction typically equals one CEU.
Non-credit certificate
A completion credential awarded by a training provider or platform that does not carry transferable academic credit, though it may still have professional value.
Degrees: Structured, Accredited, and Long-Form
A degree is an academic credential awarded by an accredited college or university after a student completes a prescribed curriculum — typically measured in credit hours. Associate degrees generally require around 60 credit hours; bachelor's degrees around 120. Graduate degrees (master's, doctoral) build on undergraduate preparation.
Online degrees from regionally accredited institutions carry the same academic standing as their on-campus counterparts. Regional accreditation — from bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education — is the standard most employers and graduate schools expect. Nationally accredited programs exist but may face credit-transfer limitations.
Degrees represent significant time and financial investment. They signal depth of learning and are often required for licensed professions and competitive hiring pipelines. Explore the full spectrum of higher education paths in our Degrees & Certifications hub.
4,000+
Accredited degree-granting institutions in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's database of accredited postsecondary institutions.
~36%
U.S. adults aged 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
Based on U.S. Census Bureau educational attainment data for adults.
120
Typical credit hours for a bachelor's degree
Represents the standard requirement across most U.S. four-year colleges and universities.
Digital Badges: Granular, Verifiable, and Portable
A digital badge is a web-enabled image file that contains embedded metadata — issuer, earner, criteria, and date — verified through open standards such as those developed by IMS Global (now 1EdTech). Unlike a PDF certificate, a badge can be independently verified by anyone who clicks on it.
Badges are designed for granularity: a single course or a specific skill can earn its own badge, making them useful for demonstrating targeted competencies on platforms like LinkedIn. However, because anyone can issue a badge, the credential's value depends entirely on the reputation of the issuing organization. A badge from an industry-recognized body or accredited institution carries more weight than one from an unknown provider.
Badges often complement rather than replace traditional credentials. Bootcamps and microcredential programs frequently issue them alongside or instead of certificates — a topic covered in depth in our microcredentials and bootcamps guide.
