Short-term Courses in USA

Short-term courses are non-degree programs designed to be completed in a brief period, ranging from 3-week certificate courses to 6-month diploma programs. Short-term courses in USA typically focus on providing professional skills, knowledge, or training in a condensed timeframe for students. They are often pursued by candidates of all ages and from all professions who want to quickly acquire practical skills or upskill themselves without taking a long-term educational program. Short-term courses are also useful for international students and working professionals who seek in-depth knowledge in any subject and have no prior work experience. 

Why Short term courses in USA?

Short-term courses in the USA give a competitive edge by upskilling yourself with the latest technologies and eventually boosting your CV. These short courses are inexpensive, provide an in-depth look into a particular subject with a practical approach. Short-term courses include lectures, discussions, guest speakers, field trips, and company visits. The USA ranks first with over 11,00,000 international students enrolled and offers various short-term courses to boost your expertise. The common benefits to study in USA, especially short-term courses are: 

• The USA is the perfect destination to pursue short term courses as it is the home of some top institutions.
• Short term courses and crash courses are available part-time/full-time/online. 
• Courses are affordable and tailor made for industry demands.
• Vocational courses during summer/winter/fall are available based on different intakes in USA.
• Numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. 
• Access to internships, part-time jobs and  industry collaborations which can enhance your future career prospects.
• American universities and colleges conduct career fairs frequently, which helps you to get in touch with industry professionals and expand your professional network.

Top 50 short term courses in USA

There's tough competition in the job market. So if you want to get a high paying job and outsmart your peers, then the courses which you can consider studying in the USA are available here.

The top 50 popular job-oriented short term courses in USA which are in demand in 2024 are given in the table below.

Top 50 Short Term Courses in USA
S No	Course Name	University	Duration
1	Human Resource Executive Program	University of Michigan	2 weeks
2	Service Operations course	University of Tulsa	2 weeks
3	Blockchain course	FinTech School	1 month
4	Program in Information Technology	University of Chicago	7 days
5	Leading with Finance	Harvard Business School	6 weeks
6	Entrepreneurship Essentials Course	Harvard Business School	1 month
7	Intensive Language & Culture	Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies	2 months
8	Data Analytics for Business	University of California	3 months
9	Certificate in Biotechnology	Tufts University	2 semesters
10	Intensive Academic English	Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies	8 weeks
11	Graduate Certificate Programs	EC Council University	3-9 months
12	Social Media Academic Credit Certificate of Achievement	Brookdale Community College	2-3 semesters
13	Communication Skills for Professionals Program	The University of Texas at Austin	6-12 months
14	Professional Writing Program	The University of Texas at Austin	4 to 6 months
15	Developing Digital Artifacts	University of Birmingham	2 months
16	Design and design thinking	University of Birmingham	2 months
17	Stem Teaching - Teaching Science Beyond the Boundaries	University of York	3 weeks
18	PG Diploma in Education	University of Essex Online	1 year and 4 months
19	Educational Therapy	University of California, Riverside	1 year
20	Early Childhood Special Education	American College of Education	6 months
21	Educational Entrepreneurship	American College of Education	5 months
22	Advanced Academic Preparation	Columbia University	2 months
23	Professional Fundraising	Boston University	4 months
24	Professional Certificate in Medical Education	University of California	9 months
25	Child development and education course	Lighthouse Academy	3 months
26	Social and Emotional Learning	University of California, Riverside	3 months
27	Wine Education and Management	UCLA Extension, Los Angeles	9 months
28	Digital Learning and Teaching	American College of Education	5 months
29	Introduction to Research	Boston University	1 month
30	Blended Online Learning and Teaching	University of Cincinnati	12 months
31	Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)	UCLA Extension, Los Angeles	9 months
32	Computer Technology Endorsement	University of Cincinnati	12 months
33	Advanced Academic English for Graduate Students	Columbia University	2 months
34	Students Affairs Practice	California University of Pennsylvania	12 months
35	Teacher’s Aide	International Career Institute - ICI	6 months
36	Nanny	International Career Institute - ICI	6 months
37	Reading Specialist	California University of Pennsylvania	12 months
38	Assessment In Special Education - Procedures	Boston University	1 month
39	Differentiated Instruction Micro-credential	American college of education	5 months
40	Special and Inclusive Education	Lighthouse Academy	12 months
41	ACP Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)	University of California	3 months
42	Advanced Studies in TEFL	University of California, San Diego	3 months
43	Teaching English to the Young Learner	University of California, San Diego	2 months
44	Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL TEFL) - USA	ICI, USA	6 months
45	STEM Teaching and Learning	University of Cincinnati	12 months
46	Disability Studies in Education	University of Cape Town	4 weeks
47	Special Education - Curriculum and Instruction	University of Cape Town	1 month
48	Competency in Fundamental E and I Engineering for Oil and Gas Facilities	University of Cape Town	4 weeks
49	Competency in Renewable Energy Systems	Engineering Institute of Technology	3 months
50	Application of Robotic Tools	Luleå University of Technology	3 weeks

Popular Universities Offering Short-Term Courses in USA

Pursuing a short-term course from a reputed university in the USA can give you a significant boost while you search for a job. These courses act as a gateway to professional advancement and specialize further. Whatever might be the reason, there are endless opportunities tailored by universities for every one. Here is the list of short courses offered by famous universities. 

Universities Offering Short-Term Courses in USA
Name of the University	QS Ranking 2025	Short-Term Courses	Duration	Fees
MIT	1	No Code AI & Machine Learning	12 Weeks	$2,850
		Technology Leadership Program	8 Months	$28,000
Harvard University	4	Advanced Business Strategy Training	1 Month	$4,100
		Digital Marketing Strategy	15 Days	$6,150
Stanford University	6	Sales Management Course	4 Weeks	$2,750
		Machine Learning for Business with Python	1 Month	$1,475
Columbia Business School	12	AI Driven Marketing Strategy	2 Weeks	$9,950
The University of Chicago	21	Quantum Engineering and Technology	4 days	$6,000
		DevOps	8 Weeks	$2,800
New York University	43	Advance Valuation in Finance	4 Weeks	$2,200
		AI in Marketing	5 Weeks	$4,752

Short Term Courses Admission Procedures

The application process for the short-term courses in USA is similar to the other degree courses in the USA. Make sure you have all the required documents along with the application fee paid. After reaching the application deadline, acceptance letters must be received 3-4 weeks later. Most of the short-term courses don't need a GMAT or GRE. However, your English proficiency test scores (IELTS, TOEFL) must be ready just in case.

The required documents are:

• Transcripts or grade records (high school and university)
• Passport size photos
• Application fee
• Standardized test score (SAT, GRE, GMAT)
• Passport photocopy
• Student Visa
• Updated CV/Resume
• Portfolio
• English Proficiency Test scores (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/C1 Advanced)
  
  • The recommended IELTS overall score is 6.5.
  • The TOEFL iBT score is 88.

International students planning to study in USA must get an F or M visa. After getting admission from the institution, applicants must register for SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). They need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and receiving an I-20 or DS-2019 form, which must be submitted to apply for a USA student visa. 

Short-Term courses in USA to get a Job

The demand for job-relevant skills is increasing, which attracts individuals towards short-term job-oriented courses. The skill gap is the major reason for the individual who doesn't get the right job and the employer. To bridge this gap, short-term courses are the best option.  

The best job oriented short term courses in USA are:

• Business Accounting and taxation
• Digital Marketing courses
• Business Analytics courses
• PG certification in machine learning
• Data visualization courses 
• Big data and Hadoop courses 
• Certified Financial planner course
• Networking hardware and security courses
• M.Sc in Biotechnology
• M.Sc Organic Chemistry
• AI/Blockchain Developer

Wrap Up!!

Hope you found the best short term courses in detail. If you are a student who is searching for a course after 12th or a professional who wants to enhance your skills, then short term courses are the great choice. And, the USA provides the best short term courses in most of its top universities. Before selecting any short term courses in USA, you need to be clear about your goal and make an informed decision, to embark on your study abroad journey.

FAQ

1. Why should you go for short-term courses?

Regular short term courses are inexpensive and flexible. Short term courses are a sure shot job provider, where one can get a job in the USA after completing the in-demand short term course. They also often pave the way to continue your higher education based on this. Overall short term courses in the USA are the key to unlocking your high paying jobs dream.

2. Can job-oriented short-term courses replace college degrees?

Recruiters nowadays prefer skilled professionals. To achieve this, short term courses are the best choice. Though having short term courses is not only enough. It is always better to have a full time job to broaden your prospects and opportunities.

3. Are short term courses worth it?

Yes, short term courses are really worth your time and money. It provides an opportunity to grow in your areas of interest and reap long term benefits. With less cost, they are a great way to learn new skills.

4. What is the duration of short term courses?

Short term courses are cost-effective, flexible and provide quick job opportunities. These courses typically range from weeks to a few months, less than a traditional degree program.

5. What are the short term nursing courses in USA?

The popular short term nursing courses in USA are:

• Certified Nursing Assistant course
• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse course
• Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse course
• Associate Degree in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Bachelor of Nursing
• Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Nursing
• Doctor of Nursing Practice

6. What are the short term management courses in USA?

The short term management courses are:

• Advanced management course
• MS in Quantitative Management
• Management Essentials Course
• Accelerated Management Program
• Lake Ecology & Management
• International Management & Leadership
• Economics For Managers Course

7. What are the short term finance courses in USA?

The short term finance courses are:

• Professional Diploma Program in Corporate Financial Analytics
• Leading with Finance Course
• Essentials of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers Course
• Crowdfunding 101 Course
• Financial Analysis for Non-Financial Managers
• Financial Analytics Immersive Course
• Portfolio Management Course

8. What are the short term dental courses in USA?

The short term finance courses are:

• Dental Assistant
• Prosthetic Approach in Implant Dentistry
• Modern Restorative Dentistry
• Transformative Periodontics
• Summer Learning Program on Cape Cod

9. What are the Short Term courses in USA?

The popular short-term courses in USA are: 

• STEM courses
• Digital Marketing
• Blockchain and technology
• AI courses
• Management
• Nursing
• Plumbing
• Electrician
• Fire fighters
• Certified Nanny