Certifications communicate commitment on the part of the employee, and can lead to better job considerations. Continuing education is expensive though, unless you are participating in classes that are partially paid for by your employer or afford you hefty tax deductions.
With this in mind, taking online seminars and classes that provide certification upon completion are terribly attractive, but are they as valuable as certifications from classes that require actual classroom contact?
Are employers as impressed by online and distance education as they are with certifications based on classroom contact hours?