From Staff Reports

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A new Competency-Based Business Management Certificate Program starting this fall gives participants the chance to earn credit for business skills they use every day. The program is perfect for people already in the workforce who never found time to go to school but want to advance in a job market where an advanced education is rewarded.

Program participants use their professional work experience, knowledge and skills to demonstrate core concepts like “communication,” “team building,” “leadership,” “critical thinking,” “human resources management” and “organizational skills.”

Competency Based Education (CBE) requires the same courses as the traditional certificate route. With this program, though, program participants drive the pace of the coursework and can progress faster than normal classes thanks to the knowledge and skills they use every day. In addition, small class sizes mean students have greater access to mentors and facilitators.

“What makes our competency program different from programs offered by other universities is the local faculty, and the fact that this program was built around local company needs, with their input in mind,” program advisor Dr. Cindy Briggs said, alluding to the research panels that were a part of the program’s planning.

Participants work at their own pace with online classes accessible through any computer and avoid repeating material they already have a mastery of. This allows them to decide how quickly they want to complete the program, making the program cost effective as well, because participants can complete the certificate in one semester, saving time and money.

To be eligible for the CBE program, all courses must be completed in the CBE format. Registration is by permission only and a mandatory information session is required to acquaint students with competency-based model, distance education, technology and other resources.

The next information session is from 6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 19 in Collin College’s Central Park Campus Conference Room A. Central Park Campus is 2200 W. University Drive in McKinney.

Get the next information session date and more information about the program at www.collin.edu/academics/programs/businessmanagement.html or contact Dr. Cindy Briggs at [email protected] or Dr. Margie Vance at [email protected].