Video Editing Certificate Online

Learn more about the Video Editing Certificate through this interview with Jerron Smith, Video Editing Program Director at Noble Desktop.

Can you share a bit about your background and experience with video editing?

I studied fine arts, taught high school for three years, and later returned to earn a master’s degree. I completed a Master of Arts in Communication Arts with a focus on computer graphics. By that point, I had already been working in the field for several years, so many of my courses focused on filmmaking. That is where much of my video background comes from. I had been using After Effects and Premiere Pro for years before completing my graduate degree, but most of my formal training in video editing and film and television came from that program. My work has primarily been in corporate video and motion graphics, including animated charts, interviews, and similar projects. I have worked both with agencies and private clients.

What is the Video Editing Certificate at Noble Desktop?

The Video Editing Certificate was created in response to how companies and individuals increasingly rely on video to reach audiences. Video is far more engaging than print or still images. When the internet first emerged, video was not practical due to bandwidth limitations, so content largely consisted of static images and repurposed print ads. As platforms like YouTube and Vimeo emerged and technology improved with faster bandwidth, HTML5, and 5G, video became far more accessible and widespread. Today, video represents the largest category of content on the web.

Many modern platforms such as YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok are entirely video based. Even platforms that began with text and images, such as Facebook, now feature more video content than ever. The Video Editing Certificate was developed because many people work with existing footage rather than filming their own. Companies often have video assets that need to be edited, repurposed, or adapted for social media or internal use. This program focuses on editing and working with existing video rather than teaching how to shoot footage.

What is included in the Video Editing Certificate?

The certificate includes the Premiere Pro Bootcamp, Premiere Pro Advanced, an introductory After Effects Bootcamp, and a multiweek portfolio class. Students also receive instruction in motion graphics fundamentals. Altogether, the program provides 69 hours of hands on instruction.

Who is the target audience for this program?

The program is designed for anyone interested in creating video, though the audience is quite broad. Video creation has become part of everyday communication, and people from many backgrounds now work with video. Some students are designers who want to add video to their services. Others already work in television or media and need to learn new software. Some are career changers who want to move into video editing. Because video is now used across industries, there is no single defined audience.

A common misconception is that the software does the work for you. Software is a tool, not a decision maker. Many training programs focus only on how to use software, but knowing the tools alone does not teach you how to make good editing decisions. The portfolio class is where those critical storytelling and editing skills are developed. The goal of the program is to balance technical software instruction with the creative and conceptual skills required to be an effective editor.

What career paths are available in video editing?

Video editors are traditionally found in television, film, and advertising agencies, but the majority of video produced today is for social media and internal business use. Many companies produce video for training, communication, and marketing purposes rather than broadcast. Large organizations invest heavily in internal video production, which represents a significant portion of available work in the field.

What will students learn in this program?

Students learn both technical software skills and the broader skills required to edit video effectively. Adobe Creative Cloud functions like a complete production studio, providing tools for video, motion graphics, audio, and design. With these tools, individuals can produce professional level content independently. Editing is fundamentally about storytelling, so the program focuses not only on how to use the software, but also on understanding why editing decisions are made and how to communicate effectively with an audience.

What are the benefits of learning video editing at Noble Desktop?

Video editing software is complex and not inherently intuitive. Many people learn through trial and error, which can take hundreds of hours. While tutorials and resources are widely available online, classes help reduce that learning curve by teaching best practices. One of the key advantages of instructor led training is learning efficient and appropriate workflows. Without guidance, it is difficult to know whether a method is effective or simply functional. Classes help students understand not just how to complete a task, but why it should be done a certain way.

How does this program compare to the Motion Graphics Certificate?

Motion graphics and video editing come from different traditions. Motion graphics evolved from graphic design, while video editing originated from film and television editing. Although there is overlap, the way editors think and work differs from motion designers. This program includes enough motion graphics to create titles and basic animations, while motion graphics programs include enough editing to assemble visuals. They are complementary disciplines that approach storytelling from different perspectives.

What is the learning environment like?

Classes are available both live online and in person, with many students choosing the live online option. Noble Desktop offers hybrid classes where in person and online students participate together in real time through Zoom. Instruction follows a learn in practice approach, where instructors demonstrate techniques and students complete structured exercises using detailed course materials. This method is especially effective for larger groups.

Students receive class recordings for a limited time after the course and keep their digital course materials, which include step by step instructions. These materials can be reused for practice, and updates are provided when content is revised.

What advice would you give to students starting the Video Editing Certificate?

The best way to improve as an editor is to keep editing. With so much free footage available, there is no barrier to practice. Jump in, start working, and build experience through repetition.