Dynamic New Essentials of Business Certificates 100% Online

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As businesses across the nation continue to challenge employees to play a more central role in their company's success, individuals with the ability to successfully lead both people and projects will find increased opportunity for advancement. To provide today's managers with the practical skills employers demand, UF Executive Education, a strategic unit of U.S. News & World Report-ranked University of Florida (UF), is launching five Essentials of Business Executive Certificate programs, 100% online. With these career-building credentials from one of the nation's oldest and most respected universities, professionals can prepare to lead with confidence and manage more effectively. Open enrollment begins October 15, 2012, with classes starting January 2013.

Four three-course executive certificates are being made available, each beginning withBusiness Essentials I&II. These foundational courses provide a solid understanding of disciplines as diverse as economics and accounting, project and process management, and contracts and ethics, to name just a few. From there, participants will delve into a tactical area of expertise, earning one of the following credentials:

• Business Essentials & Leadership
• Business Essentials & Human Resource Management
• Business Essentials & Information Technology Management
• Business Essentials & Marketing Management

An additional 3-course executive certificate, designed for individuals with established business knowledge, is also being offered. Coursework delves immediately into the fundamentals of front-line leadership, with concepts in creating mutual accountability, competing through innovation and much more. From there, participants learn tactics for executing company objectives within two of three specialties – HR, IT or marketing management – earning the following credential:

• Tactical Leadership & Management

 "In today's highly competitive global market, companies are breaking the silo mentality in order to increase efficiency and productivity. To ensure that information is shared across departments, they're hiring and promoting those with cross-functional knowledge and advanced management skills," says Ron Kirsch, Executive Director of University of Florida Executive Education. "We're proud to now offer these Executive Business Certificates online, allowing professionals across the country to gain must-have skills and a prestigious new UF credential." 

Participants enrolling in a UF Executive Education Essentials of Business certificate program online will learn through highly interactive online courses featuring professors who teach on campus within the Warrington College of Business, along with industry experts. The online classroom offers streaming and downloadable videos, interactive live sessions featuring virtual whiteboards and chat rooms for collaborating with colleagues. "Professionals wanting to increase their knowledge and career opportunities by continuing their education now have a very convenient way to do so," says Adrian Marrullier, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for University Alliance, which powers the online programs offered through UF Executive Education. "These programs enable people currently working to continue fulfilling their responsibilities while gaining respected credentials from a traditional university, 100% online."

For enrollment information and more, visit EssentialsofBusiness.UFExec.ufl.edu. 

About the University of Florida
Founded in 1853, the University of Florida (UF) is one of the largest, most comprehensive high quality public research universities in the nation. With 16 colleges and over 200 research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes, UF continues to play a critical role as a technological and economical leader of the 21^st century. Home of the Gators, UF not only prides itself in its first-class academic standards but also possesses a rich tradition of athletic excellence. UF Executive Education, as part of the nation's fourth largest university, has access to the latest thinking in economics, consumer trends, technology, environmental issues, and health and science breakthroughs.  Through customized, high-impact solutions to organizations and individuals, UF Executive Education prepares professionals for career growth by advancing their knowledge in skills in a wide variety of subjects.

About University Alliance
The University Alliance (UA) facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation's leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA's technology and support services, its university partners have surpassed 450,000 online enrollments – making UA the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country. University partners include Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, Florida Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, the University of Florida, the University of San Francisco, the University of Vermont, The University of Scranton, Jacksonville University, Dominican University, and New England College.

Contact Information
Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
Bisk Education/University Alliance Online
9417 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL 33619
813-621-6200, ext. 328

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SOURCE The University of Florida