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)
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 CoursesCPC 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)

CCSss Validate your competence as a career development practitioner. When you earn your certification, you can put the logo on your résumé, business card, website, and online profiles. Add the letters "CCS" after your name.

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)

Certified Work-Life Strategist (CWS) Credential Validate your competence in work-life coaching. When you earn your certification, you can put the logo on your résumé, business card, website, and online profiles. Add the letters "CWS" after your name.

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)

CISss Validate your competence in employment interview coaching. When you earn your certification, you can put the logo on your résumé, business card, website, and online profiles. Add the letters "CIS" after your name.

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)

CESss Validate your competence in career transition (job search) coaching and counselling. When you earn your certification, you can put the logo on your résumé, business card, website, and online profiles. Add the letters "CES" after your name.

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)

CRSss Validate your competence in strategic resume writing. When you earn your certification, you can put the logo on your résumé, business card, website, and online profiles. Add the letters "CRS" after your name.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CRS CREDENTIAL

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