Compare Courses vs Certification
What is the difference between a course and a certification?
Career Professionals of Canada provides courses (training) and certification (credentials).
Both courses and certification will help you advance your career. The difference is:
- Courses will help you learn, grow, and build your skills (training) — you’ll get better at what you do!
- Certification will authenticate and validate your skills (credentials) — you’ll get recognized for what you do!
Courses lead to certification. When you complete courses, you can then apply for certification. Alternatively, if you are already experienced, you can bypass taking a course and apply for certification through our Self-Study program.
What does it mean when you have successfully completed a CPC course?
When you complete a CPC course you will receive a course completion certificate. You are then well positioned to advance to these two options:
- Complete your Career Development Practitioner (CDP) program. When you complete CDP-101 through CDP-105, you receive a certificate of program completion. You can add this certificate to your portfolio and list the CDP in the education/professional development section of your résumé.
- Fast-Track the associated CPC certification (CCS, CWS, CIS, CES, CRS). If you have a minimum of 2 years related work experience, you can bypass the formal work product submission and review. When you apply for certification, you will be able to immediately use the letters after your name and the associated certification logo on your résumé, social media, and website.
This chart will help you choose the best option for your needs.
CPC COURSES (TRAINING) | CPC CERTIFICATIONS (CREDENTIALS) |
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Need training? Get professional development. CPC offers facilitated online learning. When you complete the course you get a certificate. Check CPC's Event Schedule for course dates and times. LEARN MORE ABOUT CPC COURSES | Want credentials? Validate your skills and competency. CPC offers a self-study program. When you earn a certification you are recognized with credentials. Complete certifications on your schedule. LEARN MORE ABOUT CPC CERTIFICATIONS |
CDP Courses | CPC Certifications |
Foundations (Ethics + Theory) (CDP-101) The Career Development Foundations course will help you make good ethical decisions and identify proactive strategies to avoid ethical problems. You will learn to analyze and apply existing and emerging theories and models in your day-to-day work. If you complete CDP-101 you can then choose to fast-track your CCS and get certified right away. Ethics and Theory are important considerations for the provincial Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) certification. If you are working towards your CCDP, then take this course. LEARN MORE ABOUT CDP-101 | Certified Career Strategist (CCS)![]() If you already have your CDP or CCDP Certification, you can Fast-Track your CCS and get certified right away. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CCS CREDENTIAL |
Work-Life (CDP-102) This course will upgrade your Work-Life Coaching skills and enable you to help your clients with aspects of mental health and wellness, foundational life-skills, and career management skills. If you complete CDP-102 you can then choose to fast-track your CWS and get certified right away. LEARN MORE ABOUT CDP-102 | Certified Work-Life Strategist CWS) ![]() LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CWS CREDENTIAL |
Interview (CDP-103) This course will upgrade your Employment Interview Coaching skills and enable you to apply emotional intelligence, relationship building, value proposition, constructive feedback, and role-play in your client sessions. If you complete CDP-103 you can then choose to fast-track your CIS and get certified right away. LEARN MORE ABOUT CDP-103 | Certified Interview Strategist (CIS) ![]() LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CIS CREDENTIAL |
Employment (CDP-104) This Employment Consulting course will help you learn to strategically support your clients through the execution of their work search. You will update your competency in the labour market, legislation, career branding, and social networking. If you complete CDP-104 you can then choose to fast-track your CES and get certified right away. LEARN MORE ABOUT CDP-104 | Certified Employment Strategist (CES) ![]() LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CES CREDENTIAL |
Résumé (CDP-105) This Advanced Résumé Development course provides advanced strategic principles and technical practices for résumés and cover letter writing for the Canadian market. You will learn to help your clients capture attention with highly customized résumés. If you complete CDP-105 you can then choose to fast-track your CRS and get certified right away. LEARN MORE ABOUT CDP-105 | Certified Résumé Strategist (CRS) ![]() LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CRS CREDENTIAL |
Career Professionals working together for career success!