Would this be worth it?

Right now I'm taking 6 graduate level hours through Penn State. So far the courses are demanding with a project due each week. I was considering adding the Penn StateUndergraduate Certificate in Weather Forecasting to my lineup --> Penn State | Online Certificate in Weather Forecasting

The total cost is around $6000 ($481 a credit hour X 12 Hours).

My question three fold:

1. The course description suggests that it requires only 3 hours a week in study time. Even with my demanding courseload I don't think this will break me. What do you think?

2. Would this cert be something that would really benefit what I already have and am currently working toward with the master's degree? In other words would this cert make someone stand out enough in this field? EM/HLS is a field that definitely deals with natural disasters such as weather so I think it would help, but is it worth the cost?

3. Are there any other options for something similar to this that you are aware of? I love Penn State so far, but I can't find much else out there to compare it to. I'd like to consider other programs and make an informed decision if I choose to do it.

Oh and Penn State has one of the best atmospheric programs in the U.S. so i do think this program might stand out simply because of the school name.

 

Well, the 3 hours a week is just for the studying part... The 'promotional exams' and project assignments aren't included in that according to the description.

 

Just as a side-note: There are a bunch of Weather (Forecasting) certificates in the legendary MichaelGates certificate collection threads.
http://forums.degreeinfo.com/distance-learning-discussions/28209-homeland-security-emergency-management-free-certificate-courses.html

 

I'm already a trained Skywarn Weather Spotter. Was it another cert? The reason I posted this one is that I was looking for something with a University backing or at least one that's a full cert program. I'll look through the link...thanks!