Diploma and certificate of completion of a course: understand the differences

Education / Date: 03-31-2025

A diploma and a certificate of completion are two documents that certify that a student has successfully completed the degree in which they were enrolled. This means that they can continue their studies or begin their professional life.

For example, those who receive a diploma or certificate of completion of high school can enroll in a college. However, it is important to know that there are significant differences between them.

With this in mind, we have prepared this article to explain what a certificate of completion is, what this statement is for, how it differs from a diploma, and what makes this formal document different. Keep reading to find out more!

What is the course completion certificate?

A certificate of completion is a type of document that certifies that a person participated in some type of event or activity, such as a congress, lecture, conference, among others. In this case, it is registered by the institution responsible for issuing it.

Regarding the course completion certificate, it informs that the person has successfully completed the course load and all activities of a specific course. Thus, it can be for elementary school, high school, technical course or even graduation.

This declaration is valid by law in some situations and allows, for example, the student to continue their education even if they have not yet received their diploma. Thus, the graduate can prove the completion of a certain course without having to wait, often for months, for the diploma to be issued.

What is the course completion certificate for?

When a course is completed at an educational institution, many students need to receive their diploma. However, this document has a higher level of formality, so its preparation and issuance is more complex.

Since there is a high demand, since all graduates need the document, the educational institution needs more time to meet the requests. Therefore, it takes a few months to issue the diploma, especially when it is physical. On the other hand, the digital diploma can be ready in less time.

However, during this waiting period, the student may need to prove that they have already completed the course they were taking. This happens, for example, to enroll in a first or second undergraduate degree, to do a postgraduate degree , to take a public exam or even to get a job in the job market.

To resolve this situation, the educational institution issues a course completion certificate, which serves as a substitute for the diploma while it is being prepared.

The only problem is that the certificate is a temporary document. This is because it usually has a validity period of about a few months, which is exactly enough time for the institution to issue the diploma.

Diploma VS Certificate of completion

You've seen that a course completion certificate and a diploma are different things, even though they are similar documents, right? One of the big differences between them is their validity.

The certificate, or declaration of course completion, is used provisionally. This is because it does not have the same legal weight as a diploma. Therefore, it is a document that is ready in a short time.

Those who graduate from college can obtain their higher education certificate in a few weeks or even days. However, it is important to pay attention to the time that this document is valid, and it is ideal to request the issuance of the undergraduate diploma as soon as possible.

This document is recognized by the Ministry of Education (MEC), but only in cases where the college and course are recognized by the agency. It is also important to note that the diploma is valid for the rest of your life.

However, these details do not diminish the importance of the certificate of completion. This is because both documents have the same legal validity in some situations. This is the case, for example, for those who intend to take a public exam . law recognizes the certificate of completion of a course as a valid document for taking the exam.

Another detail about them is in relation to enrollment in a college. Those who have completed high school can use the certificate to enter higher education, but there are some reservations.

Since this document has a validity period, throughout the course of graduation, it will need to be replaced by the high school diploma, called a school transcript. If this formal document is not sent or delivered, the student will not be able to receive his or her diploma, as there will be pending documentation.

Therefore, you can use the certificate as a substitute for a diploma temporarily and in some situations. However, obtaining the second document is essential so that you can definitively prove that you have obtained a certain degree.

What are the differences in the diploma?

As we explained, the diploma is a document recognized by the MEC and the declaration of course completion is not. This is one of the main differences between the diploma and the common certificate.

The formal document is valid throughout the national territory and allows the person to practice the profession anywhere in country. The purpose of the diploma is to qualify and specialize the graduate in a specific area of knowledge. The certificate only attests that the person participated in a course or activity.

Furthermore, the declaration is a more informal document, while the diploma proves that you have a degree and are a specialist in a certain area, having the aptitude to practice the profession.

So, is it clear what the differences are between a diploma and a certificate of completion of a course? Ideally, you should seek training at educational institutions that offer diplomas that are recognized by the MEC, even in digital education . This way, the student will have a powerful document to include on their resume, guaranteeing opportunities in the job market.