Ready to explore the top 9 certifications for stay at home moms?
Maybe you’ve been considering expanding your skills, or maybe even diving into a new career. Acquiring certifications, whether it’s through an online degree or an online course, can open a world of opportunities for you, right from the comfort of your home.
The beautiful thing about online learning is that you can take classes online at your own pace, fitting it perfectly around those school hours and never missing a moment with your little ones. Exciting, right? Let’s explore the world of certifications for stay-at-home moms, and see how you can boost your career prospects, start a freelance business, or even earn money online.
So grab a cup of coffee (or maybe even a glass of wine), let’s get into this exciting journey of online learning together.
The Benefits of Certifications for Stay-at-Home Moms
When it comes to juggling the demands of family life and personal growth, being a stay-at-home mom is no easy task. But did you know you can pursue an online degree or even complete online courses for stay-at-home moms without having to step outside? You heard it right! With online master’s degree programs, online associate degrees, or even just free online courses, you have the power to improve your career paths without having to disrupt your family routine.
How so? Well, there’s the flexibility, for starters. As we mentioned before, online learning means you can set your own schedule and learn at your own pace. Got a few hours free during naptime? That’s a perfect window to log into an online class. And the best part? Your pajamas can totally double as your study attire – we promise we won’t tell!
Also, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. With free courses, low cost courses, and financial aid available for online degree programs, you can pursue higher education at an affordable price.
And it’s not just about the money you’ll save – think about the money you could earn. With the right certification, you could even start earning extra money. Whether it’s in social media marketing, web design, or freelance writing, there’s a high demand for many skills you can learn online.
#1 Human Resource Management
A degree program in Human Resource Management (HRM) is a fantastic route to take if you are keen on navigating the people-focused side of business. These online master’s degree programs, as well as online associate degree courses, are designed to provide you with essential insights and skills to handle an organization’s most valuable assets — its employees.
Understanding Human Resource Management
HRM involves managing people within an organization, which includes responsibilities like hiring, training, benefits, and conflict resolution. In an HR role, you contribute to the organization’s culture, uphold its policies and ensure compliance with labor laws.
HRM Online Courses and Degree Program
Several online schools offer comprehensive degree programs in HRM. From associate degrees to master’s degrees, you can pick a course that fits your schedule and meets your career goals. With an online degree program, you learn at your own pace, allowing you to balance your education with your role as a stay-at-home mom.
There are free online courses that provide a basic understanding of HRM principles if you want to dip your toe in before fully committing. Many paid courses, however, offer a more comprehensive curriculum and may even provide certification upon completion.
Here are a few solid certification options in Human Resource Management:
Professional in Human Resources (PHR) :This certification, offered by the HR Certification Institute, focuses on program implementation, tactics, and operational orientation as well as U.S. laws and regulations related to HR practices. It’s perfect if you’re planning to focus on a career in HR mainly within the U.S.
Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP): This globally-recognized certification is great if you handle HR operations on a day-to-day basis, including implementing policies and strategies, serving as a point of contact for staff and stakeholders, and delivering HR services.
3. Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP): Offered by the Association for Talent Development, this certification is ideal if you’re interested in the training and development area of HR. You’ll cover areas like designing learning programs, change management, and coaching.
Career Opportunities
With a certification in HRM, you can find jobs in various sectors, such as healthcare, tech, finance, and more. HR professionals are needed in every industry, and with experience, you can even climb the corporate ladder to become an HR manager or director.
Is it Right for You?
An HR role might be the perfect fit for you if you enjoy working with people, are excellent at problem-solving, and have great communication skills. Plus, the field often allows for a degree of flexibility, which is ideal for those juggling their roles as professionals and moms.
#2 Freelance Writing Certification
If you have a way with words, why not make them work for you? With the growing demand for online content, freelance writing is a popular choice among stay at home moms. And guess what? There are so many free online courses out there to help you hone your creative writing skills.
Understanding the Job
As a freelance writer, you get to work on various projects from the comfort of your own home and set your own schedule. Whether you are writing blog posts, crafting engaging social media content, or creating in-depth research articles, every day can bring a new and exciting challenge.
Online Course Certifications
Let’s check out some specific certifications for stay at home moms to kick-start your freelance writing career. Remember, with most online classes, you can learn at your own pace. The time commitment varies based on the specific course, but with dedication, you could complete these in a few months or less.
Professional Writing Certificate (Berkeley Extension): With a focus on a wide range of writing styles, this online associate degree course provides a robust foundation. The commitment? Around 16-20 hours per week for a few months.
Copywriting Fundamentals (Udemy): This is a low-cost course that dives into the nuances of copywriting, an essential skill for freelance writers. It’s designed for about 2 hours of study per week, for one month.
SEO Writing (Coursera): To thrive in the digital world, a freelance writer must understand SEO (search engine optimization). This free course will require approximately 4-6 hours of commitment per week, for about a month.
Career Opportunities
Once you’ve got these certifications under your belt, the freelance business opportunities are vast. You can start your own business, collaborate with marketing agencies, or work with individual clients who need your expertise in crafting the perfect message.
Is Freelance Writing Right For You?
If you love writing and want a career that offers flexibility to work around your school hours, then yes! You can create your own career path, build a lucrative business, and most importantly, follow your passion. So why wait? Start your freelance writing journey today and see where it takes you. Remember, the world is always in need of good writers!
#3 Embracing Wellness: Health Coaching
Are you passionate about healthy living and eager to help others achieve their wellness goals? If so, becoming a health coach could be your perfect match. The beauty of this path? You can get started with online courses designed especially for stay-at-home moms. Let’s dive into what being a health coach entails!
Understanding the Job
As a health coach, you’ll guide clients on their journey to better health, using both nutritional guidance and behavior changes to achieve results. The goal? To help them lead healthier, happier lives. And the best part? You can make this happen while following your own schedule, making it a fantastic choice for stay-at-home moms.
Top Wellness Certifications for Stay at Home Moms
There are several online degree programs available for health coaching, each requiring a different time commitment. Here are a few to consider:
National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC) – Certified Health Coach: This self-paced online program is ideal for those who have a background in healthcare. The certification typically takes around 3-6 months to complete, at an affordable price.
Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) – Health Coach Certification: This year-long online course covers nutrition, coaching skills, and business development. There’s even a payment plan to help manage the cost.
Dr. Sears Wellness Institute – Health Coach Certification: This self-paced program offers three courses – Family, Pregnancy, and Prime Time Health – and can be completed in just six weeks per course.
Career Opportunities
As a certified health coach, there’s a wide range of opportunities waiting for you. You can start your own business, join a wellness center, work in a corporate setting, or even offer virtual coaching in today’s digital world.
Is Health Coaching Right For You?
If you’re passionate about wellness, enjoy helping others, and want to earn money doing something you love, health coaching could be the perfect fit. Plus, the self-paced nature of these courses means you can earn your certification in a few hours a week – all from the comfort of home. So why wait? Start your journey toward becoming a health coach today!
#4 Business Savvy: Business Administration
Always had a flair for organization and a knack for leadership? Business administration might just be your calling. This dynamic field offers numerous opportunities, and with online courses designed for stay-at-home moms, you can get certified right from your living room. Let’s take a closer look at what this field involves.
Understanding the Job
A career in business administration means you’ll be wearing many hats. From overseeing daily operations to planning strategic goals, you’ll be at the heart of making things happen. The best part? With online classes, you can learn all the tricks of the trade at your own pace.
Top Business Certifications for Stay at Home Moms
Here are some noteworthy online degree programs that can help you jumpstart your business administration journey:
Associate Degree in Business Administration: Offered by many online schools, this program typically takes about two years to complete. It gives you a solid foundation in business principles.
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration: A more in-depth program that can take up to four years, but provides a comprehensive understanding of the business world.
Master’s in Business Administration (MBA): For those who want to aim high, an MBA can be completed in two years. It offers advanced knowledge in areas like finance, marketing, and human resources.
Keep in mind, financial aid is often available, making these degrees more accessible.
Career Opportunities
With a business degree, the world is your oyster. You could start your own business, take on a leadership role in a corporation, or even work as a consultant. The high demand for business professionals means numerous job opportunities, whether you want to work virtually or in an office.
Is Business Administration Right For You?
If you’re a decision-maker who loves problem-solving and organizing, a career in business administration could be a great fit. Plus, with the flexibility of online learning, you can balance your studies with your role as a stay-at-home mom. It’s never too late to chase your business dreams and earn money doing something you enjoy!
#5 Getting Digital: Digital Marketing Certification
Do you thrive in the world of likes, shares, and tweets? Digital marketing might be your calling. Today’s digital world needs savvy marketers who understand how to reach audiences online. Let’s take a closer look at what this field involves.
Understanding the Job
As a digital marketer, you’ll use social media strategy, SEO, email marketing, and more to help businesses reach their goals. And the best part? With online classes, you can get certified from the comfort of your own home, at your own pace.
Top Marketing Certifications for Stay at Home Moms
Digital marketing certifications come in many forms, but some of the best online courses are:
Google Digital Marketing Courses: These free online courses cover everything from search engine marketing to mobile marketing. They’re self-paced, so you can fit them into your schedule.
Social Media Marketing Certification from eMarketing Institute: This free course offers an in-depth look at social media strategy.
Certified Digital Marketing Professional from the Digital Marketing Institute: This premium course takes about 30 hours to complete and costs around $1950.
Career Opportunities
With a digital marketing certification, you can find jobs in a wide range of industries. You could work as a social media manager, SEO specialist, or even start your own freelance business.
Is Digital Marketing Right for You?
If you love social media, have a knack for writing, and enjoy analyzing data, digital marketing could be a great fit. Plus, the flexibility of the online world means you can work virtually from anywhere!
#6 Project Management Certification
For all you organized, goal-oriented stay-at-home moms out there, a career in project management could be a perfect fit. But first, let’s unravel what this job entails.
Understanding the Job
Project management involves planning, organizing, and overseeing projects to ensure they’re completed efficiently and effectively. From setting deadlines to managing team members, you’ll be at the heart of bringing projects to fruition.
Specific Certifications and Their Commitment
Here are a few noteworthy project management certifications for stay at home moms:
Project Management Professional (PMP): One of the most respected certifications worldwide. Expect to spend 35 hours on coursework, plus additional study time for the exam. Costs are around $555 for non-members of the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): A great entry-level certification if you’re new to the field. This requires 23 hours of coursework and costs about $300 for non-PMI members.
Career Opportunities
Project management skills are in high demand across a wide variety of fields. You could find jobs in tech, healthcare, finance, and more. And remember, managing your own business is always an option!
Is Project Management Right for You?
If you have strong leadership skills, love solving problems, and have a knack for organization, project management could be a perfect match. And with the ability to take your classes online, you can gain these skills from the comfort of your own home.
#7 Virtual Assistance Certification
Understanding the Job
The virtual assistant (VA) role is like being a digital Swiss Army Knife—you’re there to help business owners with a range of tasks, all from the comfort of your home. Tasks can include email management, calendar scheduling, social media strategy, and even content creation. If you’re organized and enjoy diverse daily tasks, being a VA could be your ideal online business.
Specific Certifications and Their Time/Price Commitment
While you don’t necessarily need a certification to become a VA, it can lend credibility and help you stand out. Here are a few options:
Virtual Assistant Certified (VACertified): This comprehensive program covers essential VA skills. The cost is around $150 and the course duration varies depending on your pace.
International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) Certification: This program offers an ‘EthicsCheck’ certification to VAs who pass an ethics-based examination. Fees for this certification are $137 for IVAA members.
Career Opportunities
As a VA, you can find opportunities in various fields that suit your skills—be it tech, creative writing, or social media marketing. You could also create your own freelance business and work with multiple clients simultaneously.
Is It Right for You?
If you love the idea of wearing different hats, are a stickler for organization, and can juggle tasks with ease, then being a VA might be your calling. The best part? It allows you to earn money online while working virtually, offering the flexibility that stay-at-home moms often need.
#8 Coding/Programming Certification
Understanding the Job
Coding or programming is the art of telling computers what to do via a language they understand. Today’s digital world demands individuals with these skills, and this field offers some of the best degrees for stay-at-home moms looking for high-demand, well-paying roles.
Specific Certifications and Their Time/Price Commitment
Codecademy’s Web Development Path: In about 300 hours, you can gain skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more. You’ll need a Codecademy Pro subscription, which is $19.99/month.
freeCodeCamp’s Certifications: freeCodeCamp offers several free courses in different aspects of web design and programming. Each certification takes approximately 300 hours to complete.
Career Opportunities
After earning a certification in coding or programming, you can work in various roles such as a software engineer, front-end developer, back-end developer, or full-stack developer. You could even start your own freelance business, creating websites or applications for clients.
Is It Right for You?
If you love solving problems, have a keen interest in technology, and enjoy continuous learning, a career in coding or programming could be your next adventure.
#9 Graphic Design Certification
Understanding the Job
Graphic design is about creating visual content to communicate messages. It plays a crucial role in today’s digital marketing world, shaping everything from websites to advertisements.
Top Graphic Design Certifications for Stay at Home Moms
Coursera’s Graphic Design Specialization: This course, offered by the California Institute of the Arts, takes about 7 months to complete at a few hours per week. It costs $49/month.
LinkedIn Learning’s Become a Graphic Designer: This certification takes about 24 hours to complete and requires a LinkedIn Premium subscription, costing $29.99/month.
Career Opportunities
With a graphic design certification, you could find jobs as a freelance graphic designer, branding specialist, or art director. It’s also a great side hustle for stay-at-home moms looking to earn some extra money.
Is It Right for You?
If you have a good eye for design, color, and layout, and you enjoy being creative, graphic design might be the right fit for you. In this career, you can express your creativity and visually communicate messages in a way that can truly make a difference for businesses.
Wrapping Up
Well, my awesome stay-at-home moms (and everyone else perusing the blog), it’s time to wrap up our little online adventure through the wonderful world of certifications. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the knowledge we’ve gathered about online courses and online degree programs, and marvel at the potential they hold.
The beauty of this digital era is that it offers you the keys to a variety of career paths. It allows you to learn at your own pace, tailor your own education, and even set your own schedule. You have the opportunity to become a part of the digital marketing scene, dive into the intricacies of business administration, or explore the rewarding realm of health coaching – all from the comfort of your home.
To sum it all up, whether you’re looking to earn extra money online or pursue a new career, there’s a certification for you. There’s no time like the present to invest in your personal growth and kickstart your future.
After all, as a stay-at-home mom, you’ve already mastered the art of juggling multiple tasks at once. Now, it’s time to apply those skills to your own self-care and career development. You’re capable of extraordinary things!
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