Top Online Programs to Help You Start a New Career
To support our community during this challenging time, we will be sharing resources that we hope will be helpful for displaced workers and others who are looking at a career change.
Today we are highlighting some of our popular online programs that can help you gain the skills to start a new career.
Earn a Paralegal Certificate
In 2019, the median salary for paralegals was over $50,000, and projected job growth was expected to be much higher than other fields. Our online Paralegal Certificate equips you with the knowledge and skills to start a career as a Paralegal in just 14 weeks.
Get an Entry-Level Tech Credential
The COMPTIA A+ certification validates that you have the core tech skills for IT support roles, and it is a requirement for a sizable percentage of entry-level IT help desk jobs.
Our fully online, self-paced CompTIA A+ training not only equips you with the skills you need, it helps you get ready to pass your certification exams.
Earning a CompTIA Network+ certification is another good starting point for a career in IT. We offer two options to help you earn your Network+ certification:
- In-person Network+ training offered after July 1, with free access to online training right now.
- A fully online self-paced Network+ course.
CompTIA certifications are "stackable," so you can earn additional credentials as your knowledge and experience increase.
Become a Full-Stack Web Developer
The University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education Coding Boot Camp gives you the knowledge and skills to build dynamic end-to-end web applications and become a full stack web developer.
The program is offered in a "live online" format, where you join scheduled online class sessions several days a week.
Turn Your Language Skills Into a New Career
The Spanish-English Translation Certificate Program is intended for bilingual speakers with no formal training in translation who wish to improve or expand their knowledge and skills in written translation. Students can choose from Medical Translation, Business Translation or Legal Translation courses (or all three).
Don't see what you're looking for? Browse the full catalog.
Note: it is unclear what the long-term impact of the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak will be on the job market. All statistics are based on past job market data, and projections have not been adjusted to reflect the impact of the outbreak.
Continuing & Professional Education Operations: COVID-19 Updates
Updated May 20, 2021
The safety of our program participants, instructors, staff and community is our highest priority. We are continuing to monitor this evolving situation, and we will provide updates here if Continuing & Professional Education (CaPE) operations are affected.
Working Remotely
All CaPE staff are currently working remotely from home. Unfortunately, that means we will not be able to meet in person or accommodate walk-in inquiries.
Please use the contact form, email or phone (520-626-5091) to contact us.
Face Coverings On Campus
As of May 20, 2021: The University has updated its directive regarding the use of face coverings for employees, students and visitors to campus.
In-Person Classes
Continuing & Professional Education classes are currently online-only. We will schedule in-person classes when we are permitted to do so, based on University of Arizona policies for continuing and professional education programs.
Certification Exams
Many certification exam providers offer online testing options, and many testing centers are open for in-person exams. Capacity at in-person testing centers may be limited to allow for social distancing. See our Certification Exam Updates page for test provider and certifying organization updates.
Additional Information
To stay up-to-date on University of Arizona status and policies, please see the main COVID-19 Information Page.
If you have any questions about your CaPE classes, please contact us.
Should Human Resources Professionals Get a Certification?
A certification isn't required for most Human Resources jobs. And yet, over 1/3 of HR professionals have one. So why do so many HR professionals spend their time, effort and money on getting a certification?
What can HR certification do for you?
There are a lot of good reasons why an HR certification might be a good investment, including:
- Certified expertise: An HR certification shows employers that you have a particular set of knowledge and skills, validated by passing a comprehensive certification exam.
- Increased pay: Payscale salary research found that those with an HR certification earned 31.6% more than those without a certification.
- Career advancement: The same report found that having an HR certification also increased HR professionals' chances of being promoted.
- Relevance: To renew your certification, you will usually need to complete additional professional development or training within a certain period of time. This helps ensure that your knowledge and skills remain relevant and up-to-date.
Which certification is right for you?
The certification you choose will depend on your goals, as well as the industry and location you work in (or want to work in). Do your research to see which credentials are in demand in your area, as well as the specific knowledge, skills and experience employers want.
Your background and work experience should also factor in to your decision. For example, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers two credentials for experienced HR professionals. Each credential requires a different combination of education and work experience.
If you are interested in SHRM certification, review the SHRM eligibility criteria and decide which credential is right for you.Exams are offered only during certain time periods (SHRM calls them "exam windows"). So be sure to check the certification application and testing schedule, too.
Need help getting ready for the SHRM exam?
Our online SHRM certification exam prep class can help you get ready to take the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam. The class is taught by a SHRM-SCP using the proven SHRM Learning System. And it's fully online, so you can learn at your convenience.
High Demand for Project Managers in Arizona
Project management is highly in demand among Arizona employers, with over 52,000 job postings asking for project management skills in the past year alone.
Just about every industry you can think of hires project managers, making project management skills highly transferable across the country (and even around the world).
Project management certification demonstrates that you have the skills and knowledge to manage projects from start to finish. This can give you an edge in the hiring process and increase your earning potential:
- In Arizona, 1 in 3 project manager job postings asked for project management certification in the past year.
- According to a Project Management Institute survey, certified project managers report earning significantly more than those that are not certified.
For experienced project managers, the Project Management Professional (PMP®) is the "gold standard" of project management certifications. See upcoming PMP Exam Prep classes.
The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a registered mark of Project Management Institute, Inc.
Discounted Classes and Workshops for University Employees
The office of Continuing & Professional Education offers a wide variety of programs designed specifically for busy working adults. And University of Arizona employees get a discount on many of them!
Classes and Workshops
- Food Safety Workshops
- Human Resources Certification Exam Prep
- Manager & Supervisor Training
- Microsoft Excel Workshops
- Project Management
Certificate Programs
(Discounts are also available for military and for University of Arizona students and faculty).
Ready to Achieve Your 2020 Career Goals?
If you're ready to get a head start on your 2020 career goals, check out these classes starting in early 2020!
- Food Safety Training Program
- Paralegal Certificate Program
- Network Security Training Program
- Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam Prep
- School Psychology Professional Development Workshops
- Environmental Science for Society Certificate Program
- Human Resources (SHRM) Certification Exam Prep
- Training for New Managers and Supervisors
Don't see what you're looking for? Browse the full catalog.
Here's What You Wanted to Learn in 2019
If you're wondering which skills people want to add to their resumes, check out our ten most popular continuing and professional education programs from 2019.
Didn't get a chance to register this year? Lucky for you, all of these programs will be offered again in 2020!
10. Environmental Science for Society Certificate Program
The Environmental Science for Society Certificate Program is designed to help researchers, practitioners, political leaders, and educators actively confront society's most complex environmental challenges. It is a three-course, fully online program for anyone interested in the intersection between science and environmental decision making.
9. Food Safety Certificate Program
The Food Safety Training Program includes basic and advanced Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training and Preventive Controls for Human Food training. These in-person classes meet at the University of Arizona Food Product & Safety Lab.
8. Project Management Training
Project management is one of the top-requested certifications in job postings nation-wide. It's no surprise that Project Management Professional (PMP) training was one of this year's top programs. We offer online and in-person training options.
7. Microsoft Excel Essentials
Microsoft Excel is another highly in-demand job skill. Our half-day hands-on Microsoft Excel Essentials training equips you with the basic skills you need to take control of your data.
6. Human Resources Certification (SHRM)
A certification from the Society of Human Resources (SHRM) shows employers that you know your HR stuff. Our Human Resources Certification Exam Prep class prepares you to take the SHRM Certified Professional (CP) or Senior Certified Professional (SCP) exam. The online class format lets you learn at your convenience.
5. School Psychology Workshops
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has outlined Domains of Professional Practice in its Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services. Our School Psychology Workshops systematically address these Domains and offer participants the chance to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits. Workshops meet at the University of Arizona at Chandler.
4. Spanish-English Translation Certificate Program
The Spanish-English Translation Certificate Program is a 3-course fully online program designed to train entry-level translators to meet the needs of doctors' offices, hospitals, courts, law offices, schools and other settings.
3. Paralegal Certificate Program
Paralegal is one of the fastest-growing careers in the country. The online Paralegal Certificate Program prepares you for a career in this fast-growing field in just 14 weeks.
2. Data Analytics Boot Camp
Workers in almost every industry can benefit from adding data analysis skills to their resumes. In fact, by 2021, workers with data analysis skills will be twice as likely to get a job. Data Analytics Boot Camp is an immersive six-month classroom experience, where you will learn in-demand technologies like Excel, Python, JavaScript, SQL Databases, Tableau, and more. Classes meet evenings and weekends, and new Boot Camps start quarterly in Phoenix.
1. Coding Boot Camp
The University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education Coding Boot Camp gives you the knowledge and skills to build dynamic end-to-end web applications and become a full stack web developer. Part-time (six month) and full-time (three month) options are available.
Office of Continuing & Professional Education Holiday Hours
The University of Arizona and the office of Continuing & Professional Education will be closed for the holidays on the following dates: December 21 - January 1.
But don't let the holidays slow down your career development. Registration is still open for all classes during the holiday closure. Feel free to browse the catalog to find the next opportunity to advance your career!
We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season!