Update Your MBA with a Post-MBA Certificate
Courtney Keith '01

Embracing the words of St. Augustine, Always Forge Ahead! the motto of the College of Commerce and Finance put into practice a new Post MBA Certificate Program. Different from both the MBA and Executive MBA programs, the Post MBA Certificate targets people who have already received their MBA, whether it be two, 10 or 25 years ago, who want to update and expand their skills for the current business world.

Recognizing the rapidity at which changes occur in business and technology today, candidates for this program want to further prepare themselves to handle the challenges of both the present and future. The business environment is so dramatically different that their education has become somewhat outmoded; that is where Villanova comes into the picture. All students enrolling in the certificate program will complete three courses in one of three disciplines: Finance, E-business, or Marketing, or with approval they can design their own specialization from MBA elective course offerings. Course topics include Financial Derivatives, Intro to E-business, Marketing on the Internet, and Corporate Restructuring, among other MBA electives. Candidates who have graduated from an AACSB-accredited MBA program will automatically be admitted to the program after submitting the brief application along with a professional resume and an official MBA transcript. All others applicants will be reviewed for admission.

There is a lot of growth potential for a program like this, said Melinda German, director of the MBA Program. She noted that people have a broad need to come back and sharpen their skills, however not just in the technology area. It is crucial in all areas because of the way that technology changes everything. According to Tim Monahan, dean, College of Commerce and Finance, the program is tied to the idea of life-long learning. It is part of our thrust to service the community with a really up-to-date, innovative, educational program, and to create more value for both our graduate and undergraduate students.