Mimi Murray says Chapman University’s complementary degree programs offer multiple graduate certificates. (photo/deckerphoto.com)

While Roel Construction was building a $15 million educational complex in Kearny Mesa for National University, the two entities cemented another connection. Stu Markey, National’s director of facilities, knew about Roel’s interest in continuing education for employees. Markey suggested that the business and university work together to create industry-specific topics. National’s faculty would develop course plans.

Markey’s proposal led to the development of a leadership education program for Roel. It consisted of eight three-hour seminars given through National’s Center for Organizational Excellence in the School of Business and Management. The customized courses covered topics such as developing a strategic plan, awareness of construction industry economics, customer service and ethics.

“The program was a natural extension of what is happening with many businesses in today’s market,” says Tom Green, National’s provost. “Companies are trying to improve the skills of their employees in competitive and rapidly evolving industries.”

Customized coursework, also known as executive education, is available through the continuing education divisions of SDSU, CSU San Marcos, University of Phoenix and UCSD as well.

Similarly, the number of continuing education classes geared toward professionals and job seekers is expanding as colleges throughout San Diego County strive to meet the growing need. Coursework ranges from biotech labs and computer skills to criminal justice and card dealing. Universities and community colleges are all in the market. Prices for classes start at $20 a unit for the community colleges and range into the hundreds, even thousands of dollars for courses at other schools. In some cases completing a class, or a series of classes, results in a certificate, while in others the knowledge gained from the experience, and perhaps a better job, is reward enough.

Continuing education courses can be very specific for their intended audiences. For example, the Beyster Institute at UCSD’s Rady School of Management seeks to provide learning opportunities for entrepreneurs.

With company-sponsored executive education, the goal is for students to perform better at work. Nondegree courses also offer the potential to advance careers. Professional development can sometimes come in the form of a single course.

An example of such a stand-alone class

at UCSD was August’s “Sustainable Manage-ment” seminar. Offered through UCSD Extension, the four-hour session was taught by David Bainbridge, an associate professor at Alliant International University.

Serving business students from within SDSU’s College of Extended Studies is the Professional Development Division. Its offerings range from individual courses in subjects like writing to a professional certificate in human resource management.

Chapman University offers certificates in human resources, organizational leadership, criminal justice administration, criminal justice policy and public and nonprofit leadership. Students earn a certificate by taking six to 18 units or “embed them into a complementary degree program without taking any extra courses beyond the number required for the degree itself,” says Mimi Murray, Chapman human resources program manager. A candidate in the graduate organization leadership program could “earn a graduate certificate in human resources or vice versa,” she says.

The University of Redlands has a similar arrangement. Courses can be applied to a nondegree certificate. Business professionals with an undergraduate degree earn a certificate by taking courses in finance, geographic information systems, global business or information systems.

At DeVry University, Keller Graduate School of Management’s graduate certificate programs include electronic commerce management, entrepreneurship, health services management, business administration, accounting, financial analysis, project management, information systems management, network and communications management, information security and wireless communications. Not all courses are available at all locations, notes Madeleine Gervais, San Diego Center dean.

What about business professionals who know their jobs but are confused by computers? Hey, it happens. But not to worry. At San Diego Community College District, the continuing education classes range from a survey of business software to digital camera basics. In many cases, the price is right for these overview courses: free.