Higher Learning
Alternative Ways to Make the Grade
By: Paige Baraban

If you made a resolution to return to school, you’re certainly not alone. Statistics show women hitting the books of higher education more than ever before. In 1976, men constituted the primary consumers of graduate level education. Since that time, however, female enrollment has increased by a whopping 73 percent bringing women to hold the majority of seats in graduate classrooms across the country. What’s more, many women are doing so while working full-time jobs and raising families.

Have it your way!
In order to remain competitive in the marketplace, academic institutions have had to adapt to the changing demographics of the typical student. Specifically, they’ve had to create innovative learning plans that take place outside of the nine-to-five box. Locally, major state universities like UMKC as well as private institutions such as Webster University, Baker University, Park University and Rockhurst have responded to this need by creating nontraditional approaches to traditional educational offerings. Evening, weekend, accelerated and distance learning options have made graduate education more attainable than ever before.

That said, MBA and specialized MasterÕs programs can require an enormous amount of resources from students. Without financial aid or corporate reimbursement programs, graduate education can cost into the tens of thousands of dollars and can take up to two years or longer to complete. For some women balancing the demands of career, family, social and civic obligations, this is an expenditure that comes at too high a price.

What’s a girl to do?
Rest assured, all is not lostÑenter the graduate certificate program. One of the newest emerging trends in higher learning, these short-term versions of their full-fledged counterparts can offer practical, focused instruction with flexibility that is generally unsurpassed in the academic community. Some programs even offer for-credit options that allow students to apply certificate coursework toward the completion of a traditional Master’s degree at a later date. Depending upon the granting institution, certificate programs can range in topics from social welfare and gerontology to nonprofit leadership, business administration and human resource management.

When contemplating a graduate certificate program, consider the following before you enroll:

1) Make sure you are enrolling for the right reasons. Take time to reflect on what you hope to accomplish by returning to school and write it down. Although these programs are more concise than traditional graduate offerings, less time in the classroom can require more discipline on your part. Remember, coursework will still be on a graduate level and classes are designed to challenge you.

2) Do your homework. Not all certificate programs are created equal. Each has its own set of admission and program requirements, and fee structures can differ dramatically. Make sure the program of your choosing is a good fit and truly speaks to your reasons for going back to school. The sidebar to the right includes a sampling of graduate certificate offerings in the Kansas City area. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list so you may wish to contact your choice academic provider and enquire about certificate offerings. All listed information should be verified with the granting institution as program details are subject to change.

3) If you wish to return to school in order to obtain additional training for your current job or prepare you for that next big promotion, set up a meeting with your boss or HR manager if appropriate. Discuss your goals and how you believe a graduate certificate program will help you reach them. Ask for feedback. Not only will this provide you with an opportunity to discuss potential company reimbursement, but it will also highlight your desire for advanced responsibility and demonstrate your willingness to do what it takes to get there.

Paige Baraban works in nonprofit communications and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in marketing through Webster University, Kansas City campus.

Ottawa University Kansas City
Certificate Program(s): Human Resources in one of three specialized areas: Organizational Change, Human Resources Management or Employee Relations.
Who should apply: Individuals with Bachelor’s degree who do not wish to study the research aspects of the traditional Master’s program; persons seeking to expand their knowledge of HR in views of career change; individuals who already have a Master’s degree but require additional training in an HR-related discipline.
Credit/non-credit: Credit option available. Any courses applied toward a certificate may also be applied toward the M.A. in Human Resources.
Program requirements: Student must complete five courses over a three-year period.
Program description: Varies depending upon student’s choice of concentration. All three programs include a core offering of Trends, Issues and Perspectives in Human Resources.
For more information, contact: Alisa Jones, Enrollment Manager or Dr. Gus Breytspraak, Director of Graduate Studies; Ottawa University Kansas City Campus; 913.451.1431 or toll free 888.404.6852.

University of Kansas-Edwards Campus
Certificate Program(s): MBA Essentials
Who should apply: Employees and managers at all levels who want to improve their mastery of managerial skills.
Credit/non-credit: Non-credit
Program requirements: Student must complete 11 sessions over a 13-week period to receive a University of Kansas Business Certificate.
Program description: Program focuses on “critical success factors” in business and leadership. Designed to accommodate those individuals without a business background and those desiring prep before starting their MBA. Although shorter in length, curriculum is virtually the same as the MBA core.
Tuition: $2,695.00. Includes personal profile, all course material and continuing education units.
For more information, contact: A program representative via e-mail at kucme@ku.edu or by phone at (785) 864-1499.

University of Missouri Kansas City
Certificate Program(s): Fundraising Certificate
Who should apply: Development officers, executive directors and other responsible for resource development in the nonprofit community.
Credit/non-credit: Credit offering available; however, differing fee structure will apply. Contact MCNL for more info.
Program requirements: Students must complete two core courses and two electives to receive certification.
Program description: Covers all major areas in fund development including the annual development plan, prospect research and proposal writing, nonprofit marketing and ethics in fundraising.
Tuition: $370 for each core course; $200 for each elective
For more information, contact: Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership; (816) 235-2305 or toll free (800) 474-1170.

Kansas State University, Manhattan
Certificate Program(s): Financial Planning Program
Who should apply: Individuals interested in having the background and qualifications needed to sit for the CFP¨ Certification Examination. The certificate might be particularly appealing to stockbrokers, tax preparers, insurance agents, real estate professionals, bank and trust officers, financial planners, accountants and attorneys.
Admission requirements: Non-credit students must either have an undergraduate degree (any area), or a minimum of three years experience in the field.
Credit/non-credit: The certificate in personal financial planning is available on a non-credit basis, or for 18 hours graduate credit. For graduate credit, students must be accepted to graduate school. Non-credit students must either have an undergraduate degree (any area), or a minimum of three years experience in the field.
Program requirements: The noncredit program consists of six courses: Fundamentals of Financial Planning, Insurance Planning for Families, Investing for the FamilyÕs Future, Personal Income Taxation, Retirement Planning Employee Benefits and the Family, and Estate Planning for Families.
Program description: Accurate and timely information in the key area of financial planning will be provided, in addition to meeting the educational requirements of CFP Board, qualifying students to sit for the CFP¨ Certification Examination. K-State's certificate in personal financial planning is unlike any other program in the country by offering students an opportunity to combine self-study with a mentoring classroom-type experience. The program is offered totally online.
For more information, contact: Debra Wood via e-mail: ipfp@ksu.edu

Missouri Western State College, St. Joseph
Certificate Program(s): Graduate programs from three universities are offered on Western’s campus: MBA and Master’s in Education, NWMSU; Master’s in Nursing, UMKC; and Master’s in Social Work, MU.
Who should apply: Persons with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Admission requirements: Varies with institution/program.
Credit/non-credit: Graduate credit
Program requirements: Varies with institution and program.
Program description: Varies with institution and program.
Tuition: Varies with institution and program.
For more information, contact: Mary Connor; Western Institute Graduate Center; (816) 271-4113.

Rockhurst University, Helzberg School of Management
Certificate Program(s): MBA
Who should apply: Employees and managers at all levels who want to improve mastery of business management skills. You may choose to focus on accounting, finance, health care leadership, international business, management, management information systems or marketing.
Credit/non-credit: Credit is offered as well as “non degree seeking” for those who are taking courses for personal or professional development.
Program requirements: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university and completed the GMAT. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a C or better.
Program description: This program is designed for the working professional. Evening, weekend and online classes are offered and consists of 36 hours comprised of management perspectives and electives.
Tuition: Graduate tuition per credit hour is $515. Online courses are $605 per credit hour.
For more information: Call 816.501.473.

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