In May 2025, ResumeTemplates surveyed employers and found that a quarter would no longer require degrees for some roles.1 Seven in ten hiring managers went further and said real experience mattered more than a diploma.
For anyone pursuing tech jobs without a degree, this marks an important change in how the industry views talent and hirable skills.
For example, CompTIA found that more than a third of American workers participated in some form of job-hunting in 2025.2 Of these job seekers’ goals, CompTIA noted that breaking into the tech industry and improving their prospects with an industry-recognized certification (rather than a degree) were considered, respectively.
In fact, certifications and online programs have become the go-to option for many learners. Coursera Professional Certificates and Coursera MasterTrack programs are two of the most popular options, designed in collaboration with major companies and universities to educate students on the fast-changing tools and skills of the tech field.3,4
So, non-degree paths certainly exist—but the real question is how much weight these credentials carry once your resume hits a hiring desk.
Tech Hiring Shift in 2025
According to CompTIA, about 9.6 million people worked in the U.S. tech sector in 2024, with about 72,500 new jobs added—a growth rate of roughly 1% from 2023.5 While that increase isn’t dramatic, the outlook is what stands out: over the next decade, tech jobs are rising at nearly twice the pace of the overall labor market.6
Adding to this growth is the push toward skills-based hiring. According to June 2025 job reports, of the 450,000 tech openings advertised, almost half removed degree requirements entirely.7 The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) also stated that one in four companies plan to strip degree requirements from some jobs.8 Google and IBM are held up as early movers, and others like Dell and Bank of America have joined the list, too.9
Why the change? By expanding the candidate pool, managers end up hiring prospects they may not have looked at twice before—opening the company to stronger talent.10 This suggests that today’s employers are more interested in your skills and ability to learn—and not where you studied.
Can You Really Get Hired Without a Degree?
Yes, you can get hired without a degree, but the scope depends on the role you’re interested in.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) outlines that future computer support specialists can start their careers with postsecondary training or certifications, as opposed to just a bachelor’s.11 Meanwhile, on Coursera, several learner profiles highlight people who pursued or strengthened their careers without getting a degree. For instance:
- Danielle completed the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, which gave her the confidence and skills to take on more technical responsibilities in her role, even without a degree.12
- Sagar pursued the Google Data Analytics Certificate, which helped him grow his skills, market successfully to U.S. employers, and, as a result, landed a data analyst job.13
That said, each company sets its own bar. Many have dropped degree requirements, while others continue to list it as a requirement, especially for advanced roles.
For example, the BLS page for computer and information research scientists lists a master’s degree or higher as the most common route, while computer and information systems managers are typically expected to hold at least a bachelor’s degree.14,15
In contrast, fields such as IT support, web development, data analytics, and cybersecurity are more open to people without a degree—emphasizing practical skills or experience to match the fast pace of the industry.
Coursera Professional Certificates: Entry-Level to Advanced Pathways
As of September 2025, Coursera offers close to 300 Professional Certificates.3 Many are aimed at learners beginning from scratch, with tech certifications being a big attraction.16 Interestingly, these certificates are made in collaboration with companies like Google, Microsoft, and Adobe, who helped design the training—standing out from generic or unaffiliated online classes that can’t always verify training.
Coursera Professional Certificates are structured as short bundles of online classes, usually completed in under six months. Learning is self-paced, pricing is a fraction of a degree, and instead of only essays or tests, the work is project-based. That means you complete the course with tangible results you can add to your portfolio.
Coursera offers other advantages as well. Through its Career Academy and Hiring Solutions, learners get access to career prep resources and a hiring network.17
The subject matter of the certificates mirrors what employers ask for in the relevant roles. For instance:
- Google IT Support Certificate is aimed at help desk and junior support roles.
- Google’s Data Analytics Certificate walks learners through SQL, spreadsheets, R, and visualization—the same toolkit found in entry-level analyst jobs.
- IBM’s Cybersecurity Analyst Certificate reflects typical cybersecurity roles: monitoring networks, handling incidents, and staying inside compliance rules.
Coursera MasterTrack Certificates
Not everyone comes to Coursera starting from scratch, and not every certificate is built for entry-level work. Some learners want advanced knowledge, closer to graduate study, or a credential that keeps the door open for a master’s later on. Coursera calls this a MasterTrack.4
Coursera MasterTrack Certificates work differently from Coursera Professional Certificates, with a university sharing a part of its master’s curriculum. Upon finishing the course, you gain a credential from that school. If you enroll later in a full master’s degree, the credits count toward it.
Of the MasterTracks in tech or tech-adjacent areas, the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign’s Instructional Design stands out.18 This certificate focuses on digital course design and learning technology, connecting directly with fields like edtech and corporate training. The program, like the other MasterTrack Certificates offered through Coursera, deepens or expands on your existing knowledge.
In terms of which is better, Coursera MasterTrack or Professional Certificates, the question is more about fit.
If the goal is to move into tech quickly, then job-ready certificates from companies like Google or IBM are built for that. However, if you’d like to keep the option of postgraduate study open while adding credibility to your resume now, a MasterTrack can fill that space.
Taken together, the two offer pathways for both launching and advancing careers—each showing the same notable shift: employers valuing skills over the traditional four-year degrees.
Comparing Certificates vs Degrees in Tech
Certificates are built for speed. Six months of study, sometimes less, and you’re out with projects you can add to your portfolio. They zero in on a handful of tools tied straight to entry roles.
Degrees, on the other hand, provide in-depth knowledge. They mix technical courses with general study, giving graduates a wider base. This wider base remains essential in certain career tracks, like technical research fields or leadership roles.
To add, not all managers or employers see certificates the same way. Some are open-minded, others insist on a diploma. Plenty of learners take the middle route, starting with a certificate, landing a tech role, and then deciding whether to add another certification or roll credits into a degree.
Mapping Stackable Credentials — Miami Dade College19
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Steps to Land a Tech Job Without a Degree
You’re ready to start a tech career—without spending years earning a degree. Here’s how to make it happen.
1. Choose your area of focus
It can be anything from IT support and data analysis to cybersecurity, UX, or web development. Each of these paths asks for different tools, so deciding early keeps your focus targeted.
2. Start training
Professional Certificates give you structure and deadlines while allowing for enough flexibility that you can finish a course in a few months.
The key here is to pick a program that matches the roles you plan on pursuing and is actively recruited for on job boards.
3. Build proof as you learn
Most certificate programs include projects that can be saved and polished into a small portfolio. Those projects are what you show when an employer asks about your experience.
4. Advertise your credentials
What you learn during the program is what you’ll use on the job, but credentials only help you get hired if people see them.
Once you’ve finished the program, add the certificate to your resume and LinkedIn profile. Be specific. Instead of just writing “IT support/cybersecurity certificate”, type in the full title, “Google IT Support Professional Certificate” or “IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate”. This carries weight due to the branded name.
5. Filter out jobs
Once you’re ready to job hunt, be sure to apply for postings that list skills rather than degrees. Aim for companies that seem to understand the worth of your certificate.
Additionally, try to connect with others in the field. Networking is often what turns a resume into an interview.
The Bottom Line: Is a Degree Still Necessary?
In 2025, a degree is no longer the gatekeeper it once was. Many employers have dropped degree requirements from job postings and now focus on what candidates can actually do. That shift doesn’t erase the value of a diploma, but it’s no longer the only way to land a career in technology.
Some higher-level tracks still require higher education, but for people pursuing entry roles, certificates may be enough to get their foot in the door. Both Coursera’s Professional Certificates and MasterTrack programs give learners credentials built in partnership with companies or universities, and both are recognized as legitimate proof of skill.
Sources:
2 https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/research/job-seeker-trends/
3 https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates
4 https://www.coursera.org/mastertrack
6 https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/research/state-of-the-tech-workforce-2025/
9 https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/all-things-work/skills-based-hiring-new-workplace-trend
10 https://lecbyo.files.cmp.optimizely.com/download/7cb80e6c29d011f0af909637c2b5b92b?sfvrsn=68a665ab_10
11 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm#tab-4
13 https://blog.coursera.org/how-sagar-landed-his-dream-job-as-a-data-analyst/
15 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm#tab-4
16 https://www.coursera.org/certificates/launch-your-career
17https://www.coursera.org/career-academy
18 https://www.coursera.org/mastertrack/instructional-design-illinois
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
