Earnings as a function of education and other independent variables represent one category of comparison. This article compares the various credentials, their benefits in relation to employment, and their role in the lifelong learning patterns of career-focused individuals. Educational Credentials Certification. Certification of competence in the ability to perform the duties of an occupation indicates a person's achievement of predetermined standards. It offers a benchmark for assuring that the individual possesses the qualifications required for employment in a given occupation or occupational specialty.
Certification is a nonstatutory requirement, which distinguishes it from licensure.
Licensure, a more restrictive regulation, grants individuals a legal right to practice a profession given the minimum requirements established by the profession are met. Employment or advancement in a specific career is the main purpose of enrollment in an associate degree program. Persons having this degree are deemed to have the qualifications that make them potential candidates for degree-requiring jobs. Comparison of Benefits Earnings. Many studies verify that education beyond high school results in higher earnings.