Division of Professional Studies
Online Skill-Builder Credit Certificates
Buisness, Healthcare, Technology, Leadership and More
Build Your Future with Targeted, Stackable Credentials from Saint Francis University!
Whether you’re just starting out, looking to upskill for a promotion, or considering a career change, our Online Skill-Builder Certificates are designed for real life. These 18-credit programs help you build practical, career-ready knowledge in fields like business, healthcare, and technology—on your own time and budget. With dedicated support and flexible learning, you don’t need to choose between your goals and your responsibilities.
The SFU Advantage:
An automatically applied scholarship brings tuition to just $250 per credit—making it a cost-effective way to boost your credentials.
Fully online and tailored for working adults, these 18-credit programs can be completed in as few as 2–3 semesters, part-time or full-time.
Each certificate stands alone or can be applied toward an associate or bachelor’s degree, helping you build a clear educational pathway.
You may transfer up to 9 credits from prior college coursework, workplace learning, or military experience—accelerating your progress.
Whether you have no prior college, some credits, or even an advanced degree, these programs are built to meet you where you are.
Get guidance from a dedicated academic advisor/student success coach—plus full access to writing support, tutoring, career services, and more.
Explore the Possibilities
| Certificate | You Might Choose This If… | Key Skills Gained | Career Focus / Pathways |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Fundamentals | You’re detail-oriented, like working with numbers, and want to build core finance/accounting knowledge. | Financial reporting, budgeting, Excel, cost analysis | Bookkeeping, accounting assistant, entry-level finance roles |
| Business Administration | You want a broad understanding of business and may be exploring management, marketing, or entrepreneurship. | Management, marketing, finance, business writing | Business generalist roles, admin support, small business/startup |
| Healthcare Administration | You’re interested in leadership within the healthcare field or want to move into non-clinical healthcare roles. | Healthcare systems, policy, compliance, healthcare marketing | Healthcare coordinator, office manager, policy/insurance roles |
| Human Resource Management | You enjoy working with people, resolving workplace issues, and building organizational culture. | Hiring, employment law, performance management, benefits | HR assistant, recruiter, training coordinator, employee relations |
| Information Technology Management | You’re interested in IT systems, cybersecurity, and applying tech knowledge in a business setting. | IT systems, cybersecurity, programming, data management | IT support, systems analyst, entry-level cybersecurity, tech lead |
| Management & Leadership | You want to lead teams, improve processes, and manage people or operations. | Team leadership, strategic planning, operations, organizational behavior | Team lead, supervisor, manager-in-training, project coordination |
Curriculum
What you will learn in an online credit certificate program at Saint Francis University:
Choose your Certificate Path
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Accounting Fundamentals Certificate, Online
Covers foundational principles of financial and managerial accounting. Designed to help learners understand financial statements, budgeting, and the accounting cycle—ideal for those entering accounting, banking, or finance careers or those needing a refresher.
Program Snapshot
Credit Certificate: stand-alone credential or stackable into the online B.S. in Accounting
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
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Business Administration Certificate, Online
Designed for individuals with little or no business education background. Provides a basic understanding of current business trends while strengthening skills in management, accounting, business writing, and communication.
Program Snapshot
Credit Certificate: stand-alone credential or stackable into the online A.S. in Business Administration or one of the online business bachelor’s degrees.
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
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Healthcare Administration Certificate, Online
The Online Healthcare Administration Certificate provides students with knowledge and understanding of macro-level health care policy challenges and issues, best contemporary management and marketing practices in the health care management field, and special ethical and legal issues facing health care managers.
Program Snapshot
Credit Certificate: stand-alone credential or stackable into the online xxxxx
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
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Human Resource Management Certificate, Online
Serves the entry-level HR professional, those aspiring to enter the field, and students wanting to gain HR knowledge and skills. Courses are based on the professional body of knowledge defined by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).
Program Snapshot
Credit Certificate: stand-alone credential or stackable into the online BS in Management or BS in Organizational Leadership, and is a pathway to the online MHRM program
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
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Information Technology Management Certificate, Online
Prepares students to analyze, design, develop, implement, integrate, manage, and maintain information systems and information technology. Educates students about the basics of cybersecurity.
Program Snapshot
Credit Certificate: stand-alone credential or stackable into the online xxxxx
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
-
Management and Leadership Certificate, Online
Emphasizes management principles, leadership styles, ethical leadership, human resource management, and decision-making.
Program Snapshot
Credential: stand-alone certificate or stackable into the online BS in Management or online BS in Organizational Leadership
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
Accounting Fundamentals Certificate, Online
Covers foundational principles of financial and managerial accounting. Designed to help learners understand financial statements, budgeting, and the accounting cycle—ideal for those entering accounting, banking, or finance careers or those needing a refresher.
Program Snapshot
Credit Certificate: stand-alone credential or stackable into the online B.S. in Accounting
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
Business Administration Certificate, Online
Designed for individuals with little or no business education background. Provides a basic understanding of current business trends while strengthening skills in management, accounting, business writing, and communication.
Program Snapshot
Credit Certificate: stand-alone credential or stackable into the online A.S. in Business Administration or one of the online business bachelor’s degrees.
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
Healthcare Administration Certificate, Online
The Online Healthcare Administration Certificate provides students with knowledge and understanding of macro-level health care policy challenges and issues, best contemporary management and marketing practices in the health care management field, and special ethical and legal issues facing health care managers.
Program Snapshot
Credit Certificate: stand-alone credential or stackable into the online xxxxx
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
Human Resource Management Certificate, Online
Serves the entry-level HR professional, those aspiring to enter the field, and students wanting to gain HR knowledge and skills. Courses are based on the professional body of knowledge defined by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).
Program Snapshot
Credit Certificate: stand-alone credential or stackable into the online BS in Management or BS in Organizational Leadership, and is a pathway to the online MHRM program
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
Information Technology Management Certificate, Online
Prepares students to analyze, design, develop, implement, integrate, manage, and maintain information systems and information technology. Educates students about the basics of cybersecurity.
Program Snapshot
Credit Certificate: stand-alone credential or stackable into the online xxxxx
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
Management and Leadership Certificate, Online
Emphasizes management principles, leadership styles, ethical leadership, human resource management, and decision-making.
Program Snapshot
Credential: stand-alone certificate or stackable into the online BS in Management or online BS in Organizational Leadership
Timeline: 18 credits/ estimated completion in 1-2 years
Course Details & Requirements: 25/26 Course Catalog
Ready to take the next step?
We’re here to help you succeed. Our team is happy to answer your questions, review your prior college credits, walk you through the application process, or just chat about your goals
Reach out today — we’d love to hear from you!
Division of Professional Studies
professionalstudies@francis.edu
1-800-457-6300
Ms. Shawniece Patterson
Enrollment Advisor
spatterson@francis.edu
Call/Text: 814-379-0303
Frequently Asked Questions about Credit Certificates
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Most students finish in 2–3 semesters, depending on prior credits and course load.
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Yes! All Skill-Builder certificates are designed to stack into SFU online associate and bachelor’s programs. You can find typical pathways in the program descriptions above. Your success coach can also help you explore your potential pathways.
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Yes. These certificates are offered fully online through the Division of Professional Studies, allowing flexible scheduling for working adults or high school students.
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SFU's online programs are designed with cost-conscious adult learners and high school students in mind. Credits earned in these certificate programs have an automatic scholarship applied to make them an even more affordable way to earn an SFU degree.
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Yes, if your Saint Francis major has elective credits or there are specific courses that meet your five years or more of related experience, you may apply for credit for prior learning, in which a Saint Francis faculty member reviews your experience and credentials for potential credit. Credit for prior learning is a great program to bring in your work experience for credit.
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Absolutely. If you provide your unofficial transcripts to our enrollment advisor, they will have our transfer credit evaluator complete a transfer credit evaluation. We can look at one or even a couple of majors that interest you.
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Yes. Saint Francis University accepts older credits for many programs, especially those transferring into our online programs. As long as your prior school is accredited, we can accept those credits. We are very transfer-credit friendly and want to maximize your prior credits. In fact, we can transfer up to 98 credits.
Most students finish in 2–3 semesters, depending on prior credits and course load.
Yes! All Skill-Builder certificates are designed to stack into SFU online associate and bachelor’s programs. You can find typical pathways in the program descriptions above. Your success coach can also help you explore your potential pathways.
Yes. These certificates are offered fully online through the Division of Professional Studies, allowing flexible scheduling for working adults or high school students.
SFU's online programs are designed with cost-conscious adult learners and high school students in mind. Credits earned in these certificate programs have an automatic scholarship applied to make them an even more affordable way to earn an SFU degree.
Yes, if your Saint Francis major has elective credits or there are specific courses that meet your five years or more of related experience, you may apply for credit for prior learning, in which a Saint Francis faculty member reviews your experience and credentials for potential credit. Credit for prior learning is a great program to bring in your work experience for credit.
Absolutely. If you provide your unofficial transcripts to our enrollment advisor, they will have our transfer credit evaluator complete a transfer credit evaluation. We can look at one or even a couple of majors that interest you.
Yes. Saint Francis University accepts older credits for many programs, especially those transferring into our online programs. As long as your prior school is accredited, we can accept those credits. We are very transfer-credit friendly and want to maximize your prior credits. In fact, we can transfer up to 98 credits.