Explore Ohio State Online Degrees and Certificates

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most students can complete the certificate in three semesters of part-time study, depending on course load and availability.

No. The Usability and User Experience in Health Care certificate is a standalone program that does not require you to be enrolled in a degree program. It’s open to both current Ohio State students and non-degree-seeking professionals who want to advance their careers.

Yes. The program is 100% online and fully asynchronous, meaning you can view lectures on your own schedule.

This program is ideal for professionals who want to strengthen their skills in usability testing, user experience (UX) design, and healthcare technology, and set themselves apart in their current role or for future employment, and Ohio State graduate-level degree-seeking students currently enrolled in HRS, nursing, biomedical informatics, engineering, or business.

The Cybersecurity Offense and Defense Graduate Certificate is designed for professionals with a strong technical foundation who want to advance their cybersecurity careers. The program is ideal for those with a bachelor’s degree in engineering (preferably computer science or electrical/computer engineering) or another STEM field. Other technical or non-engineering degrees may be considered depending on prior experience.

Yes, all courses from the Cybersecurity Offense and Defense Graduate Certificate transfer into Ohio State’s online Master of Cybersecurity and Digital Trust program.

Most students complete the certificate in about one year, taking courses part-time while working. The certificate consists of four courses offered in the spring and autumn semesters.

This certificate equips you with the knowledge and skills to take on leadership roles in cybersecurity governance, compliance, and strategy. Common job titles include Cybersecurity Policy Analyst, Privacy Compliance Officer, Risk and Governance Manager and Cybersecurity Legal Advisor. 

Yes, 100% of credits earned are fully transferrable into the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Administration and Leadership (MPAL). Law course credits are 100% transferable to the Master in the Study of Law degree, along with up to 6 other credits from this certificate.  

No. While the program includes an introductory course in cybersecurity fundamentals, it is designed for professionals from a variety of fields, including law, public policy and management.

This certificate is designed for professionals like you, who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree and want to deepen their understanding of cybersecurity from legal, policy and management perspectives. This certificate could be a great fit for you if you fall into one of these areas:

  • Public, nonprofit or private sector manager responsible for cybersecurity strategy or compliance, looking to strengthen your expertise
  • Technologist or IT professional aiming to expand your knowledge of governance, law and policy
  • Attorney or legal professional interested in specializing in cybersecurity law and regulation
  • Career changer or recent graduate ready to enter the cybersecurity field with a strong, multidisciplinary foundation

The online classes take place over 3 semesters. For the Autumn and Spring semesters: expect up to 6 hours of synchronous class time (split between 2 evenings) and 9-12 hours of work outside of class. For the Summer semester: expect up to 3 hours in synchronous class and 4-6 hours of work outside of class.

This program requires two years of related working experience and is open to all physicians and clinicians.

Yes, 100% of credits earned in the certificate program count toward the MBA for Working Professionals program from the Fisher College of Business.

  1. Eligible for admission to the Graduate School at Ohio State University as evidenced by:
    • A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into the certificate program;
    • A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for the last degree earned;
    • For international applicants and those who have held the status of U.S. permanent resident for less than one year from the first day of the first term of enrollment and are not currently an Ohio State graduate student, submission of TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  2. Currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student in a graduate program at Ohio State University.

Domestic and international applicants are eligible for this certificate. 

The Graduate Academic Certificate Program is designed for

  • Individuals who are looking for a post-professional certificate to set themselves apart in their current job or in future employment
  • Graduate-level degree seeking students currently enrolled in engineering, health sciences or special education program

Yes, you can transfer up to six credits toward a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at Ohio State. That includes 100% online programs such as the MPH Program for Experienced Professionals or MPH in Biostatistics. However, completion of the certificate program does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.

Yes. If you choose to continue your education in clinical research, you may transfer 100% of the Clinical Research Management Graduate Certificate course credits into Ohio State’s online Master of Clinical Research degree program. Completion of the certificate program does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.

The certificate program consists of four courses (12 credit hours), and it can be completed in less than a year (three semesters).

The Biostatistics Graduate Certificate is 100% online, with no campus visits required.

State authorization refers to regulations that impact online and on-ground education offered across state lines and programs that lead to state licenses or certifications. Compliance with these regulations ensures that an Ohio State degree will be recognized. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review each state’s educational requirements for licensure or certification. Each state has unique authorization requirements, so Ohio State must review each state’s laws to ensure that the university is in compliance. At Ohio State, we have a team dedicated to researching regulations, seeking and maintaining compliance, communicating changes in authorization status, and disclosing state licensure and certification information. For more information on your specific state’s licensing board, please refer to State Authorization.

Online certificate programs at Ohio State are undergraduate- and graduate-level programs that offer students the opportunity to study a focused topic in a shorter time frame than earning a degree.​ 

There are two main categories of certificate programs offered at Ohio State: Credit and Non-Credit.

  • Academic certificate programs taken for credit offer students the opportunity to earn an official university-level certificate. In some cases, a portion of credits earned in these certificate programs can be used toward earning a degree. For example, students who earn the online Public Management Certificate from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs may apply some credits toward the online Master of Public Administration and Leadership and use the certificate to satisfy the master’s program experience requirement.
  • Students might pursue workforce development training or continuing education units (CEU’s) that are required by certain fields such as nursing and social work.  

Both Credit and Non-Credit Online Certificates can contribute to eligibility requirements for licensure or certification in a specific technical or professional area. For more information on the different types of certificates available at Ohio State, visit the Registrar’s website.

An online neuroscience certificate offers distinct advantages over a concentrated degree. Its focused curriculum allows for quicker completion, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to expedite their career advancement within the field. Additionally, the flexibility in scheduling and the generally lower cost compared to a full degree make certificates attractive to working professionals. Furthermore, certificates provide in-depth knowledge and professional development of specific neuroscience areas without the broad scope of a degree program, catering to individuals with defined career goals.

Designed for professionals and pre-professionals with a strong science background, the online graduate certificate in neuroscience offers a flexible pathway to advance your career. Whether you’re a laboratory technician, healthcare administrator, or sales professional, a deeper understanding of the brain can open new opportunities. This program is ideal for nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists seeking to expand their knowledge of brain function and disease. The online format accommodates busy schedules, allowing you to learn at your own pace. With this certificate, you will gain the neuroscience expertise you need to excel in your field without committing to a full degree.

You have four specializations to choose from: Clinical Informatics, Clinical Research Informatics, Health Analytics, or Translational Bioinformatics

The Biomedical Informatics Graduate Certificate is designed for professionals who have their bachelor’s degree, who are seeking to further enhance their data-driven healthcare expertise. Whether you have a strong science or analytics background or are an established healthcare professional, this program offers focused training to advance your career and professional development. Our flexible, 100% online asynchronous format accommodates busy schedules, allowing you to learn at your own pace.

Multiple programming languages and software tools are used to work with biomedical informatics data and new ones are continuously being developed. Upon completing the course, you will have acquired the necessary programming knowledge and skills to program in Python and implement popular data analysis methods and machine learning algorithms for Biomedical Informatics research.

In order to qualify for this program, you must have completed your bachelor’s degree and two courses in computer science, math, statistics, analytics, or similar; or bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience in data science.

This program has been created for professionals and students within digital healthcare, particularly those with backgrounds in computer science, biomedicine or biomedical informatics. It aims to offer learners with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in applying artificial intelligence (AI) technology to healthcare settings. This program offers professional development for career advancement and skill enhancement in a rapidly evolving field.

This program has been created for professionals and students within digital healthcare, particularly those with backgrounds in computer science, biomedicine or biomedical informatics. It aims to offer learners with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in applying artificial intelligence (AI) technology to healthcare settings. This program offers professional development for career advancement and skill enhancement in a rapidly evolving field.

Public management is the practice of administering public organizations for the purpose of achieving public goals. It involves planning, organizing, leading, and controlling resources to deliver public services efficiently and effectively. Public managers work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and public-private partnerships. 
This public management certificate offers specialized knowledge, practical skills and networking opportunities which can effectively lead to professional development and career advancement. By gaining in-depth understanding of public sector principles, developing essential management skills and connecting with professionals in the field, you can position yourself for leadership roles and make a positive impact on your community.

Our 13-credit hour online public administration certificate caters to working professionals seeking to enhance their public management and leadership skills. Ideal for professionals across various fields, this certificate prepares you for management roles within the public sector. This certificate is also perfect for those who ultimately want to pursue a master’s degree but wish to make your application more competitive or aren’t quite ready to commit to a master’s degree program. Whether you’re aiming for a career change or seeking advancement, this flexible program is designed to meet your needs.

One of the benefits of completing this online certificate is that your journey can continue with the online Master of Public Administration (MPA) or the Master of Public Administration Leadership (MPAL). 100% of the certificate’s credits can be applied into one of these programs.

The Federal Policy and Management Certificate offers a unique opportunity for you to work in and make and impact within our nation’s capitol. This is a highly valuable experiential learning opportunity for those looking to gain relationships and experience. We have staff working full-time in Washington to provide you, and our partners, with comprehensive on-the-ground support. Our team will guide you through the process and answer any questions you have about internship placement. You may also be matched with an alumni mentor, which provide an added layer of support and help to connect students, broaden your professional network, enhance your classroom experience and prepare for the job search process. The internship component is a semester long (3-4 months) 20-30 hours per week and can be waived based on relevant preexisting full-time work experience or current job.

Earning a public policy certificate can lead to career advancement opportunities within federal agencies, policy think tanks, and other public sector organizations. You will gain expertise in policy development, analysis, and implementation, making you a valuable asset in your field.

This certificate is ideal for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree who are seeking to advance their careers in federal government, policy analysis, or related fields. It is designed for mid-career professionals looking to enhance their expertise, as well as recent graduates aiming to launch their careers in public service. The certificate is also great for professionals already working within these organizations, who may want to accelerate their path to leadership or deepen their knowledge about navigating the federal landscape.

As non-degree students, most types of financial aid and scholarships are not available to students enrolling in certificate programs.

No, courses are only offered during certain terms each year, so your plan of study is based on this course availability.

Absolutely! If you are interested in taking your leadership in healthcare to the next level, these courses can apply toward the Ohio State online Master of Healthcare Innovation program.

We do not recommend this certificate for MBA graduates as many of the classes overlap with those required for the MBA for Working Professionals.

Completing the Criminal Justice Administration certificate program can open doors to leadership roles within law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, court systems, or government organizations. Graduates may also find opportunities for advancement within their current roles, gaining professional development in management, policy, and administration.

Determining whether a graduate certificate or a master’s degree in criminal justice is best for you depends on several factors. If you have a clear career goal that requires specialized knowledge and you’re looking to quickly enhance your current position, a graduate certificate might be the ideal choice. The online Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration at Ohio State is flexible and can be completed in 3-semesters (15-credit hours) while you work full-time with all asynchronous courses. The certificate is also a valuable option for professionals seeking a career transition into public sector leadership. It provides a strong foundation for those aspiring to advanced roles while offering flexibility for those who are not ready or are unable to commit to a full master’s degree. 
If you aspire to higher-level leadership positions or academia, a master’s degree provides a broader foundation and advanced skill set. A typical master’s degree in criminal justice requires around 30 to 36 credit hours, this can vary depending on the specific program and university. To maximize your investment, all credits earned in this graduate certificate transfer to Ohio State’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Public Administration and Leadership (MPAL) programs.  
When deciding between a graduate certificate and a master’s degree it is important to consider your long-term career goals, available time commitment, and financial resources.

As part of the admission criteria for the Online Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration, you are required to have completed your bachelor’s degree.

Applicants should have a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution and 5+ years of relevant business experience in Information Technology-related jobs.

Yes, 100% of credits earned in the certificate program count toward the MBA for Working Professionals program from the Fisher College of Business.