Q. Doe the s certificate program that I paid out of pocket count toward an education credit?
A. Simple answer : No.
If they don't issue a 1098-T, they most likely don't qualify. Furthermore, Schools that only offer online courses usually do not qualify. Online classes taken at schools that also have classroom instruction usually do count. The school must be an "eligible institution" on the the DOE list.
See if your school is on the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) Database of Accredited Post Secondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) or the Federal Student Loan Program list. (from IRS web site)