MBA Alternatives

Building Standout Resumes

The University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business offers more than 200 professional-development and executive-education programs in three broad areas.

• Professional development for those working in managerial roles.

• Executive education for “folks who are interested in working horizontally in broader strategic roles,” says Durwin Long, assistant dean of executive and professional development for the college.

• Custom education programs created for specific groups of employees.

The college’s programs last just a couple of days or can take several months to complete. For instance, a mini-MBA covers areas similar to the full MBA and can specialize in areas such as real estate or nonprofit work. Programs are offered in either a 14-week format with classes held one evening per week, or as a week of day-long classes. “Though the depth of content isn’t the same as a full MBA, the mini format allows individuals to gain some exposure to a broad range of business topics in a very compressed time frame,” Long explains.

The college also offers 21 mini-Master’s on subjects ranging from business communication and marketing management to financial management and information technology. Students receive a certificate after completion of a series. Classes are held either one evening a week for 13 weeks or for five days of all-day instruction.

Enrollment is strong and expected to increase, says Patricia Tollefson, director of executive education for the college. “Especially in this economic environment where people are looking to change careers, we have many people taking courses because they need to build resumes to stand out.”

Looking Ahead

To choose the right continuing education, professionals have to predict what skills they may need going forward in their careers. “They have to start thinking about how they can make their skills relevant in areas that are growing,” says Bruce Corrie, dean of the College of Business and Organizational Leadership at Concordia University in St. Paul.

Concordia is building in two strong growth areas: green business practices and biotech. “It will take training to ensure they are ahead of the game because the green economy is going to spin out new jobs that weren’t there before,” Corrie says.

Concordia is working to incorporate green topics into many areas of its business curriculum. For example, those who study accounting will also learn about environmental accounting, and economics courses will cover sustainable development. Entirely green degrees will eventually be offered, as well as certificate programs in areas such as sustainable development.