Making professional education affordable
Professional and Continuing Studies financial assistance aids certificate students
2:45 p.m., Oct. 11, 2012--This fall, 18 returning adult students’ professional development was financially supported through the initiative of the University of Delaware’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies. Through varied scholarship sources and reduced pricing, the cost to over 20 percent of the division’s noncredit certificate students was underwritten.
Up to 10 scholarships for unemployed Delaware residents were made available through the division’s Economic Competitiveness for Delawareans programs. The cost was shared by participants and Professional and Continuing Studies.
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“Given the challenges of the job market and the University’s commitment to Delawareans, the program provides needed support to those interested in earning an additional educational credential,” said James K. Broomall, associate provost for Professional and Continuing Studies. “It makes them more competitive for employment, and contributes in turn to the economic strength and quality of life in our state.”
Professional and Continuing Studies staff worked closely with Delaware state agencies to coordinate financial assistance for students. Both the Governor’s Education Grants and Individual Training Accounts from the Delaware Workforce Investment Board assisted students in affording the cost of their certificate programs.
“Professional and Continuing Studies is the portal to UD for adult learners,” Broomall said. “We have a responsibility to provide cost-effective programs.”
Professional and Continuing Studies offers the following noncredit professional development certificates: Business Analyst, Clinical Trials Management, Financial Planning, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Paralegal and Project Management.
Plans are underway to add certificates in data analysis and advanced paralegal topics in spring 2013. Certificates take between one semester and just over a year to complete and are useful to people wishing to change careers or move ahead in their fields.