Types of Credentials

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At Ivy Tech, you’ll find education options that fit your needs, from workforce certifications to certificates to two-year associate degrees. So whether you are looking to jump into a career quickly, advance in your field, or save money on your four-year degree, Ivy Tech has options for you.

Explore all degrees and certificates by program

Learn about stacking your credentials

	Time to Complete Time to Complete	What is it? What is it?	Key Benefits Key Benefits	Stacking Options Stacking Options
Workforce Certification Improve and validate your skills Workforce Certification Improve and validate your skills	As little as 1 day, but up to 6 months Credit hours vary Some Workforce Certifications are earned in a standalone class, while others are earned while pursuing a higher degree or certificate.	Provides employers with proof of training and verification of ability to perform a job Licensing or specific skills training	Improves and validates your skills Qualifies you for employment or advancement opportunities that require licensing or specific skills training Differentiates your skills during the hiring process	Some can be applied toward a higher degree or certificate Learn more about stacking
Short-Term Certificate Known as a Certificate (CT) Your fastest path into the workforce Short-Term Certificate Known as a Certificate (CT) Your fastest path into the workforce	6 months (1-2 semesters) 15-20 credit hours Students who need more time can complete the certificate over a longer period of time.	Designed for workforce preparation Includes industry-focused curriculum	Your fastest path to getting into the workforce Complete in as little as six months	Credits can often be applied toward a long-term certificate or associate degree if you decide to continue Learn more about stacking
Long-Term Certificate Known as a Technical Certificate (TC) Upskill to a higher paying job Long-Term Certificate Known as a Technical Certificate (TC) Upskill to a higher paying job	1 year (2-3 semesters) 31-45 credit hours Students who need more time can complete the certificate over a longer period of time.	Designed for more advanced workforce roles Includes additional industry-focused curriculum Includes gen-ed courses	Improves your potential for higher paying roles or advancement	Credits can often be applied toward an associate degree if you decide to continue Learn more about stacking
Associate Degree Affordably start, switch, or step-up your career Associate Degree Affordably start, switch, or step-up your career	2 years (4-5 semesters) 64-79 credit hours Students who need more time can complete the degree over a longer period of time.	We offer two kinds: Career-ready associate degrees that prepare students for careers, career changes, and career advancement (usually called Associate of Applied Science degrees) Transferable associate degrees that prepare students to transfer as a junior to a four-year university or college to pursue a bachelor’s degree (often called TSAP programs and Associate of Science/Fine Arts/General Studies degrees; Select Associate of Applied Science degrees can also transfer through agreements)	Even greater potential for higher paying positions Effective way to switch careers By completing your first two years at Ivy Tech, you can save as much as $10,000 on the cost of a bachelor’s degree	Career-ready associate degrees are more vocationally oriented, so credits are less likely to transfer if you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree Curriculum for transferrable associate degrees includes liberal arts credits required for transfer to most colleges and universities Learn more about stacking

	Workforce Certification Workforce Certification Improve and validate your skills See all	Short-Term Certificate Known as a Certificate (CT) Short-Term Certificate Known as a Certificate (CT) Your fastest path into the workforce See all	Long-Term Certificate Known as a Technical Certificate (TC) Long-Term Certificate Known as a Technical Certificate (TC) Upskill to a higher paying job See all	Associate Degree Associate Degree Affordably start, switch, or step-up your career See all
Time to Complete Time to Complete	As little as 1 day, but up to 6 months Credit hours vary Some Workforce Certifications are earned in a standalone class, while others are earned while pursuing a higher degree or certificate.	6 months (1-2 semesters) 15-20 credit hours Students who need more time can complete the certificate over a longer period of time.	1 year (2-3 semesters) 31-45 credit hours Students who need more time can complete the certificate over a longer period of time.	2 years (4-5 semesters) 64-79 credit hours Students who need more time can complete the degree over a longer period of time.
What is it? What is it?	Provides employers with proof of training and verification of ability to perform a job Licensing or specific skills training	Designed for workforce preparation Includes industry-focused curriculum	Designed for more advanced workforce roles Includes additional industry-focused curriculum Includes gen-ed courses	We offer two kinds: Career-ready associate degrees that prepare students for careers, career changes, and career advancement (usually called Associate of Applied Science degrees) Transferable associate degrees that prepare students to transfer as a junior to a four-year university or college to pursue a bachelor’s degree (often called TSAP programs and Associate of Science/Fine Arts/General Studies degrees; Select Associate of Applied Science degrees can also transfer through agreements)
Key Benefits Key Benefits	Improves and validates your skills Qualifies you for employment or advancement opportunities that require licensing or specific skills training Differentiates your skills during the hiring process	Your fastest path to getting into the workforce Complete in as little as six months	Improves your potential for higher paying roles or advancement	Even greater potential for higher paying positions Effective way to switch careers By completing your first two years at Ivy Tech, you can save as much as $10,000 on the cost of a bachelor’s degree
Stacking Options Stacking Options	Some can be applied toward a higher degree or certificate Learn more about stacking	Credits can often be applied toward a long-term certificate or associate degree if you decide to continue Learn more about stacking	Credits can often be applied toward an associate degree if you decide to continue Learn more about stacking	Career-ready associate degrees are more vocationally oriented, so credits are less likely to transfer if you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree Curriculum for transferrable associate degrees includes liberal arts credits required for transfer to most colleges and universities Learn more about stacking

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Types of Credentials

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