When choosing to supplement your college degree with a risk management certification, make certain the program you choose is offered by an accredited school or university. This ensures the recipient of the certificate the program will be respected by industry and any potential employers. The accreditation guarantees the educational institution has met a high standard in curriculum, educational materials and facilitators. Cost should be a secondary factor in choosing the educational institution.
Kaplan University offers an online certification in risk management. Kaplan University is a fully accredited university that offers hundreds of programs nationwide. This program is offered completely online. There are several payment options; however, federal financial aid is not offered for this certificate program. This program will prepare the student to utilize techniques of enterprise risk management. It teaches the student the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley and the need for risk transparency. It prepares the risk management student to plan and implement programs to offset risk, manage costs and control liability to risk. As of October 2009, the cost of the risk management certificate program is $3,695.
Stanford University offers a risk management certificate that can be completed online. This program can be completed in approximately one to two years. The average student completes the program in two years. The program is called the Strategic Decision and Risk Management Certificate. The program requires the completion of six courses. As of October 2009, the cost is $2,600 per course if taken at the Stanford campus, and $950 per course if taken online. Each class is a total of 20 hours when taken online. An enrollment counselor can be reached at (866) 234-3380. Stanford University is a fully accredited and highly respected university.
Boston University offers an online risk management certification. This program is offered as a graduate certificate, and requires the candidate to hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. The program is called the Graduate Certificate in Risk Management & Organizational Continuity. This certificate program requires the completion of five classes. The cost of this program is not listed on the website; however, the site directs all potential students with tuition-related questions to call (617) 353-2264. Boston University is a fully accredited university with a long track record of excellence.
Canyon College offers an online risk management and insurance certificate. This certificate is offered completely online through their Web portal software. According to Canyon College, "This certificate program will endeavor to give the student the fundamentals of Risk Management and Insurance that can serve as a foundation for those intending to make a career in either field." This program is offered through four 4-week modules and eight semester hours of business classes. The cost for this certificate program is $900 as of October 2009, which can be paid up front or in four payments of $225. Canyon College is nationally accredited and does not hold any regional accreditation.