Spring Break
New online business classes for Winterim
Breann Schossow
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: News
Business just became a little more accessible for non-majors.
UW-Eau Claire will offer "The Essentials," a series of online business courses to students and adult learners beginning this Winterim.
Program Coordinator Cynthia Hofacker said the program was designed to meet the needs of non-business students who know that regardless of job description, they're going to work for a business or business-like organization.
"We thought if we could give students a competitive edge to make them more marketable, where they have a very solid major … and they have a certificate in business to enhance that, won't that look exciting to an employer," Hofacker said.
The 100-level courses have no prerequisites, she said. Also, the courses will overview the course topic and how it applies to a student's specific major in eight-week or half-semester courses. There are ten courses to choose from, including human resource management, accounting, personal finance, business communication and information systems.
Although she is undecided, freshman Erin Hauer said she thinks "The Essentials" is a good idea because it offers more opportunities to students who take the courses.
"It may give you a leg up on everyone else," she said.
Because it is so new, Hauer added, she's unsure of the number of students who would consider the courses. However, she said she thinks people would take this course, especially if it will make them look good in the future.
The idea for the program, said Ann Rupnow, program manager of Business Services in the Department of Continuing Education, came out of the College of Business.
She also said she has wanted to see some sort of program, such as "The Essentials," offered by the university that is accessible and online which people can do in their homes or on the weekends.
"It's something I'm delighted to partner with them on and Continuing Education is," Rupnow said.
Hofacker said she and the Department of Continuing Education are working closely together on this program. This is also an opportunity for adult learners outside of the university to take courses for credit or for professional development.
Rupnow said this opportunity for adult learners is accessible and allows them to add skills to their resumes.
Over her time at Continuing Education, Rupnow said she has had many clients ask about business courses for credit.
"I'm fairly confident there will be a lot of interest in this," she said. However, promotional material for "The Essentials" will go out later this week, she said.
Students like Hauer and adult learners can take as many courses as they want for credit or for professional growth. They can also take a series of the courses in order to receive certification, Hofacker said.
Various instructors with recent business experience will teach the courses, Hofacker said. They also have degrees that qualify them as instructors.
"I think the combination of the experience they bring from real-life work along with their educational preparation makes them just ideal for these classes."
UW-Eau Claire will offer "The Essentials," a series of online business courses to students and adult learners beginning this Winterim.
Program Coordinator Cynthia Hofacker said the program was designed to meet the needs of non-business students who know that regardless of job description, they're going to work for a business or business-like organization.
"We thought if we could give students a competitive edge to make them more marketable, where they have a very solid major … and they have a certificate in business to enhance that, won't that look exciting to an employer," Hofacker said.
The 100-level courses have no prerequisites, she said. Also, the courses will overview the course topic and how it applies to a student's specific major in eight-week or half-semester courses. There are ten courses to choose from, including human resource management, accounting, personal finance, business communication and information systems.
Although she is undecided, freshman Erin Hauer said she thinks "The Essentials" is a good idea because it offers more opportunities to students who take the courses.
"It may give you a leg up on everyone else," she said.
Because it is so new, Hauer added, she's unsure of the number of students who would consider the courses. However, she said she thinks people would take this course, especially if it will make them look good in the future.
The idea for the program, said Ann Rupnow, program manager of Business Services in the Department of Continuing Education, came out of the College of Business.
She also said she has wanted to see some sort of program, such as "The Essentials," offered by the university that is accessible and online which people can do in their homes or on the weekends.
"It's something I'm delighted to partner with them on and Continuing Education is," Rupnow said.
Hofacker said she and the Department of Continuing Education are working closely together on this program. This is also an opportunity for adult learners outside of the university to take courses for credit or for professional development.
Rupnow said this opportunity for adult learners is accessible and allows them to add skills to their resumes.
Over her time at Continuing Education, Rupnow said she has had many clients ask about business courses for credit.
"I'm fairly confident there will be a lot of interest in this," she said. However, promotional material for "The Essentials" will go out later this week, she said.
Students like Hauer and adult learners can take as many courses as they want for credit or for professional growth. They can also take a series of the courses in order to receive certification, Hofacker said.
Various instructors with recent business experience will teach the courses, Hofacker said. They also have degrees that qualify them as instructors.
"I think the combination of the experience they bring from real-life work along with their educational preparation makes them just ideal for these classes."
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