Division of Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development

Executive Director
Nancy M. Pratt, Ph.D.
n.pratt@csuohio.edu

Noncredit Certificates, Microcredentials, and Certification Training

Workforce development programs—including microcredentials, certificate programs, and training that prepares learners for industry certification—help individuals build job-relevant knowledge, demonstrate professional competencies, and pursue new opportunities for career advancement.

Microcredentials and certificates document the successful completion of focused learning, while industry certifications provide independent, third-party validation that an individual has met recognized standards within a particular profession or technical field.

Explore our Non-Credit Program Catalog to find the learning opportunity that aligns with your professional goals.

Browse Catalog by Interest Area

New AI courses coming fall 2026.

These certificates help learners build specialized knowledge for entry-level employment, advancement within justice-related organizations, and continued education. Some career pathways require additional qualifications, such as a college degree, professional licensure, law enforcement academy training, civil-service testing, background screening, or employer-specific preparation.

Potential earnings for occupations related to these certificates range from approximately $43,000 to $59,000 annually in Ohio. Related roles may include correctional officer or jailer, private investigator, court clerk, and youth specialist with the Ohio Department of Youth Services. These figures reflect approximate occupational earnings and are not guaranteed salaries resulting from certificate completion.

Early Education and Childcare Support Certifications

Child Care Specialist
Teacher's Aide

Entry-level teacher’s aide or classroom aide positions in the Greater Cleveland area typically earn approximately $28,500 to $30,500 annually, with a local median of about $37,380. Entry-level child care specialist or child care worker positions typically earn approximately $25,700 to $29,100 annually, or about $12.40 to $14.00 per hour, with a local median of approximately $30,460 annually. Both can serve as entry points into longer-term careers in education and early childhood development..

Cleveland State University offers noncredit professional development for K–12 educators. These courses support continued learning, stronger instructional practice, and the development of skills educators can apply directly in elementary, middle, and secondary school classrooms.

K-12 Educator Professional Development Online
Workforce Ready Classroom (CSU Microcredential)

Allen Bradley 411 Fundamentals (CSU Microcredential)
Electrical Grid Management: ADMS DERMS (CSU Microcredential)
Intro to Quantum Computing (CSU Microcredential)
Microgrids: Foundations 1 (CSU Microcredential)
Semi-Conductor Certificates (CSU Microcredential)
Smart Manufacturing
Solid State Electronics (CSU Microcredential)

Clinical Medical Assisting
Clinical Medical Assistant Master
Dental Assistant
Dialysis Technician
EKG Technician
Electronic Health Records Management Technician
Medical Administrative Assistant
Medical Billing and Coding
Pharmacy Non-Sterile Compounding Technician
Pharmacy Technician
Phlebotomy Technician
Registered Behavior Technician
Surgical Technologist
Sterile Processing Technician
Spanish Language Allied Health Certifications
Veterinary Assistant
Allied Health Certifications All Others

Potential earnings vary by occupation, employer, experience, credentials, and location. Before enrolling, prospective students are encouraged to review current wage information for related occupations in Northeast Ohio using the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop Salary Finder. Search by occupation and select the Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, or other metropolitan area where you expect to work.

Executive Director
Nancy M. Pratt, Ph.D.
n.pratt@csuohio.edu