Certificates are a valuable new currency in the information economy. Through a postbaccalaureate or postmaster's certificate, adults acquire market-demanded competencies in a short time. Many certificate-seekers are currently employed adults looking for focused, flexible, interdisciplinary, and highly relevant education opportunities. Certificate programs may be introductions to adult students considering entering degree programs, the foundation for further training, or a follow-up to previous training. The most popular certificate programs are those related to health care and information technology. Adult learners with specific goals and multiple responsibilities are fueling demand for distance delivery. While colleges and universities have almost doubled the number of distance subbaccalaureate certificate programs, almost 50 percent of graduate certificate programs have no distance offerings. For-profit virtual institutions are rushing to fill this gap. Some certificates are tied to industry and professional standards, but there is no comprehensive quality assurance system for certificate programs similar to that for college degrees. Since relevancy of course content is a critical issue in short-term programs, institutions offering certificates should have in place a process to revise or retire programs no longer in alignment with workplace needs and a fast-track approval process. (Contains 23 annotated resources.) (YLB)