Before getting any kind of academic certification, you should definitely look into becoming a Google AdWords Advertising Professional. You have to take a test, but you get a nifty logo. I believe Yahoo has a similar program called Yahoo! Search Marketing Ambassador, which can be earned through passing another test.

There aren't really any certifications that are recognized yet. There are several companies offering certification if all you need is a piece of paper with "SEO Certified" scrawled on the front. Whats important in SEO at this point is a portfolio of accomplishments and the ability to demonstrate knowledge.

SEO certification has no value, in my opinion. There are plenty of firms out there that tout themselves as SEO experts but can't get their own site ranked well, let alone those of their clients. It wouldn't hurt to mention that you're certified, but you'd pick up a lot more business with quick examples of your SEO results somewhere on your site.

I try to list a few examples on my own site, and more than a few visitors that became clients mentioned that they decided to do business on the strength of the examples that they saw.

SEO certification has no value, in my opinion. There are plenty of firms out there that tout themselves as SEO experts but can't get their own site ranked well, let alone those of their clients. It wouldn't hurt to mention that you're certified, but you'd pick up a lot more business with quick examples of your SEO results somewhere on your site.

I try to list a few examples on my own site, and more than a few visitors that became clients mentioned that they decided to do business on the strength of the examples that they saw.

I share just the same thoughts about certification. So far there are no high valued certificates and, indeed, your work done serves as a quite better example of your skills, abilities, ideas and potential in the field.