If you want to improve your career and earning prospects without investing in a full-blown degree, professional certificates might be right for you. Students can earn certifications in most fields, from business to healthcare, and in a range of specialties. In fact, many professions, like nursing and real estate, can require certification to ensure licensure, making them absolutely essential. Certificate programs not only boost your resume, but encourage continuing education and career development because they're often much easier to manage with a full-time job than a traditional degree program.