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What Is a Professional Credential and Why Does It Matter for Your Career? 

The job market today is incredibly competitive, and it can feel like the bar is always being raised when it comes to ways to make yourself stand out. Employers want proof that you have the skills to do the work on day one, and that’s exactly what professional credentials deliver.  

Whether you’re entering the healthcare field, exploring a career in business, or training for a technical role, earning a professional certification can be the difference between getting the interview and getting the job. 

What Are Professional Credentials?

Professional credentials can include certifications, certificates, and licensure; they’re formal recognitions awarded by industry organizations that verify your knowledge and competency in a specific field. Unlike a general degree, credentials are often tied directly to a standardized exam administered by a recognized certifying body. 

For example, students completing our Pharmacy Technician Undergraduate Certificate prepare to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to earn the CPhT designation.  

While a graduate of our Clinical Medical Assistant Undergraduate Certificate may pursue the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

These aren’t just letters after your name; they’re signaling to employers that you took that extra step. At BU, we include the preparation for these exams into our curriculum, and tuition includes the cost of one exam attempt.  

Why Do Professional Credentials Matter to Employers?

They Validate Your Skills Objectively

Hiring managers can receive hundreds of applications for a single opening. A professional credential can help cut through the noise. It tells an employer that you’ve been evaluated against a national or industry-wide standard, not just the curriculum of one school. It’s third-party validation of what you know and what you can do. 

They Can Expand Your Job Opportunities

Many employers prefer credentialed candidates; for example, NHA data shows that 96% of employers require or encourage certification for medical assistants.  

In certain roles in healthcare, finance, IT, and other industries employers don’t just prefer credentialed candidates, but they require them. Without the credential, the door simply doesn’t open. With it, you’re immediately eligible for a much larger pool of positions. 

They Often Translate to Higher Earning Potential

Credentialed professionals frequently command higher starting salaries and better advancement opportunities than their non-credentialed peers. According to research across multiple industries, workers who hold relevant certifications can earn significantly more than those without. 

They Demonstrate Commitment to Your Field

Preparing for and passing a certification exam takes real effort. Employers recognize that. Earning a credential signals professional seriousness, it shows you didn’t just go through the motions of education but actively invested in your career.  

The Connection Between Education and Certification

Not all education paths lead directly to a credential exam, but the best career-focused programs are built around them. 

At Bryan University, your classes are built around the same topics covered on industry certification exams. So, from day one, you’re learning exactly what you need to pass the exam and do the job. 

This helps you in two big ways: 

  1. You’ll be ready for the exam. Your coursework covers the same material the exam tests. You won’t need to cram after graduation; that prep is already part of your classes. 
  1. You’ll be ready for the job. Certification exams are designed to test real skills that employers use. Because our programs follow those same standards, what you learn in school is what you’ll use at work. 

Professional Credentials Across Industries

Credentials aren’t one-size-fits-all, they exist across a wide range of fields and career levels. Here are just a few areas where earning a professional credential can open doors: 

Healthcare  

From Pharmacy Technician and Medical Assisting to Medical Billing and CodingAllied Health and Health Information Management, healthcare is one of the most credential-driven industries in the country. Many roles require certification as a condition of employment. 

Accounting & Tax

 Credentials in areas like BookkeepingHuman ResourcesAccounting, or Tax Preparation signal that you understand the professional standards of your field. 

The legal field is credential-driven, and the NALA Certified Paralegal is one of the most recognized designations in the profession; Bryan’s Paralegal Studies Undergraduate Certificate includes a reimbursement option for the exam or for registering as a Notary Public or Process Server. Associate degree students also gain hands-on experience in Relativity, one of the most widely used eDiscovery platforms in the industry, with a RelativityOne Review Pro certification exam attempt included in tuition. 

Fitness

In fitness, your certification is your credential. Bryan’s programs prepare you for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer exam at the certificate level, and both NASM and ACSM group exercise certifications at the associate degree level. One exam attempt is included in tuition. 

Whatever path you’re on, there’s likely a recognized credential in your field, and we’re here to help you earn it. Click here to see if your desired program is available at Bryan University.  

Common Questions About Professional Credentials

Do I need a credential to get a job?

It depends on the field. In some industries, credentials are required for employment or to legally perform certain duties. In others, they’re strongly preferred and can significantly improve your competitiveness as a candidate. In almost every field, holding a relevant credential is an advantage. 

How do I prepare for a certification exam?

The best preparation is a program specifically designed to align with the exam’s content outline. At BU, that’s how our programs are built. Beyond coursework, many students use practice exams, study guides published by the certifying body, and study groups to reinforce their knowledge before test day. 

How long does it take to earn a professional credential?

It varies. Some credentials can be pursued in a matter of months through focused training programs. Others require completing a degree or accumulating work experience before you’re eligible to sit for the exam. Our admissions team can walk you through the timeline for any program you’re considering. 

Are credentials recognized nationally?

Most professional credentials issued by major certifying bodies are recognized nationwide, and some are internationally recognized. When researching a credential, look for one issued by an accredited or widely respected organization in your field; those carry the most weight with employers. 

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