Frequently Asked Questions
What is a master certificate?
An online master certificate program is a comprehensive professional development series that covers today’s most in-demand business topics. Each USF master certificate consists of three individual certificate courses, which build upon one another in a step-by-step progression. Through information-packed lectures and hands-on simulations, the Master Certificate in Supply Chain Management program teaches participants how to transform the supply chain into a strategic advantage. The Master Certificate in Sales and Sales Management program helps sales professionals acquire an arsenal of advanced sales tactics and critical management skills, enabling them to achieve new heights of success. The Master Certificate in Internet Marketing gives marketers practical tools and techniques that empower them to maximize every interactive marketing dollar and lead successful integrated online campaigns. The Master Certificate in Business Process Management program equips professionals with the tools to transform an organization by reducing costs, errors and delays.
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What are advanced specialized certificates?
While master certificates are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of a given discipline, advanced specialized certificates provide a more intensive exploration of a specific topic, tool or methodology within that discipline. Each advanced specialized certificate consists of a single eight-week course. There are no prerequisites to an advanced specialized certificate course; however, most students will find it helpful to have some familiarity with core concepts and tools related to the area of study, either through professional experience or completion of a related master certificate program. USF currently offers advanced specialized certificates in two disciplines: supply chain management and Internet marketing. The former includes certificates in
Green Supply Chain Management, Lean Supply Chain Management and Corporate and Environmental Sustainability. The latter offers certificates in Advanced Web Analytics, Advanced Social Media, Advanced Email Marketing, Advanced Affiliate Marketing, Advanced Mobile Marketing and Advanced Search Engine Marketing.
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How long does it take to complete each course?
The total estimated completion time for each certificate program is approximately 25 to 30 hours, including 12 to 16 hours of streaming video presentation plus independent exercises and mastery exams. Students can work at their own pace but should plan to spend approximately 5 to 7 hours a week on their online lectures, assignments and exams, which will enable them to complete each course within eight weeks.
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Is there a time limit that I must complete a course within?
Yes. You have eight weeks to complete each certificate course. Students who complete all three courses in a program will receive a Master Certificate in Supply Chain Management, a Master Certificate in Sales and Sales Management, a Master Certificate in Internet Marketing, or a Master Certificate in Business Process Management.
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What kind of materials will I receive?
You will receive a set of video CD-ROMs and a study guide to complement the lecture materials. The video CDs are provided to ensure that you will be able to enjoy the streaming video lectures regardless of your internet connection speed. If you have a broadband connection, please try the streaming video option first. If your connection speed is under 56K, or if you wish to view the videos offline, you may use the CD option.
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What type of interaction can I expect from this program?
The online faculty support format is an excellent way to meet, collaborate and network with professionals from across the nation and around the world. Online faculty support offers extended interaction with program faculty and classmates through virtual office hours, faculty-monitored chat rooms, message boards and email, ensuring an engaging and rewarding educational experience.
In fact, many students will find that they are actually learning, participating and enjoying themselves more in this online program than they ever did in a traditional classroom
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Will I have assignments or exams?
In order to receive your certificate, there will be an “open book” set of questions you must answer online. Students enrolled in the Supply Chain Management program will also be required to participate in simulation exercises, while students in the Internet Marketing program will have practical exercises that are designed to help them achieve proficiency with online marketing tools. Move at your own pace and review the lectures and study guide materials as many times as you want — the materials are yours, so take your time!
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Why should I consider earning a professional certificate?
Earning a professional certificate sets those with the credentials apart — or above — those without it. For many, gaining new skills becomes a personal professional goal. A master certificate or advanced specialized certificate from a highly respected, accredited university also adds prestige to your résumé. Furthermore, a professional certificate can be an aid to career advancement and help you earn a higher salary.
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Is there any credit given for completing a master certificate or advanced specialized certificate?
Students will earn 4.5 continuing education units (CEUs) — as well as a beautifully framed certificate — upon completion of each USF online course.
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Can I earn college credit for completing a master certificate?
Some of USF’s online courses qualify for college credit through the American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT); see below for details. In addition, you will earn continuing education units (CEUs) for all courses, so you may be eligible for tuition assistance from your company. Contact your company’s human resources department to confirm whether their tuition assistance policy covers continuing education programs.
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Which courses are recommended for college credit with ACE?
The American Council on Education (ACE) has recommended the following USF online certificate courses for college credit: Functional Perspective of Supply Chain Management, Tactical Implementation of Supply Chain Management, Strategic Best Practices of Supply Chain Management, Expert Selling, Transitioning to Sales Management, Expert Sales Management, Integrated Online Strategies, Search Engine Marketing and Usability, and Advanced Interactive Marketing and Measurement.
USF’s advanced specialized certificate courses have not yet been evaluated/approved for college credit recommendation by ACE.
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What is ACE? How does ACE benefit students in USF’s online programs?
The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for USF’s online master certificate courses. The American Council on Education, the major coordinating body for all the nation’s higher education institutions, seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and to influence public policy through advocacy, research and program initiatives.
For more than 30 years, colleges and universities have trusted ACE CREDIT to provide reliable course equivalency information to facilitate their decisions to award academic credit. For more information, visit the ACE CREDIT website at www.acenet.edu/acecredit.
Benefits to students in USF’s online certificate programs include:
- ACE CREDIT recommendations allow many students to use corporate tuition assistance programs to pay for these programs.
- ACE CREDIT recommendations allow students to potentially earn college credit for their online courses and apply it toward a formal degree program at participating colleges and universities.
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Do all universities accept ACE credits?
ACE credits give you the ability to either transfer earned credits to an accepting university or apply them to educational or training programs. Universities accept ACE credit recommendations based on their own policies and requirements and should be contacted regarding the transferability of any credit hour earned. For more information, refer to the American Council on Education (ACE) website at www.acenet.edu/acecredit. To access a complete list of participating institutions in the ACE CREDIT College and University Network, click here.
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Does the University of San Francisco accept ACE credits?
Students who wish to enroll in a part-time undergraduate evening program in USF’s College of Professional Studies must have 50 units of transferable semester credit from an accredited school or college. USF accepts ACE accredited training units toward this requirement. For all other degree programs, contact the respective department directly to inquire if ACE transcripts are accepted for admissions consideration or transfer credit.
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What should I do to obtain ACE credits for my USF online certificate courses?
Students wishing to earn ACE credits are required to do the following:
- Pay an administrative fee of $100 per course.
- Request, complete and return a proctored exam selection form.
- Take the exam and return the applicable forms. There is an additional one-time $35 fee required by ACE for registry.
Note: ACE charges $35 for the first transcript and $10 for each additional copy. Transcripts will be sent directly to the university or employer.
Please contact your Program Representative at 800-436-1713 for more information.
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How much does each course cost? Are there any discounts for enrolling in multiple courses?
Click here for tuition and discount information.
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When does your next session begin?
Classes start on the first of each month. Because there is no lengthy application process for these professional development programs, students can usually begin the month immediately following the month they register.
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How does earning a course certificate work?
Once you complete a course — including all lectures, assignments and tests — you will be awarded a course certificate and continuing education units from the University of San Francisco’s School of Business and Professional Studies.
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Who is the University of San Francisco?
Founded by the Jesuit Fathers in 1855, the University of San Francisco was established as the City of San Francisco’s first institution of higher education. USF is committed to becoming internationally recognized as a premier Jesuit Catholic, urban university with a global perspective and a mission of educating leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world.
The university’s School of Business and Professional Studies — which includes the Masagung Graduate School of Management and the McLaren College of Business — prepares men and women for leadership positions in the public and private sectors.
USF is home to approximately 9,000 students with diverse ethnic, religious, social and economic backgrounds. Its alumni represent all 50 states and more than 110 countries. It is listed as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report, which ranks it among the top national universities for student ethnic diversity and international student enrollment.
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Are the University of San Francisco and the School of Business and Professional Studies accredited?
The University of San Francisco is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and was a founding member of WASC’s antecedent, the Western College Association (WCA), which granted USF accreditation in 1950. Regional accreditation represents the highest standard available among U.S. accrediting bodies.
The McLaren College of Business is accredited by AACSB International (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) — a distinction it has held since 1953. In 1981, the Masagung Graduate School of Management’s MBA program also achieved accreditation from AACSB International, which is the premier accrediting body for business schools.
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When do I have to register for the program?
You can register anytime and begin the program on the first of the month. You then have eight weeks to finish each course.
Call 800-436-1713 or +1 813-620-1096 today for more information!
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Will I be prepared to sit for industry certification exams after completing USF’s Supply Chain Management program?
USF’s Master Certificate in Supply Chain Management is designed to help you master the knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to be an effective leader in the field of supply chain management. This comprehensive program bridges the operations focus of APICSsm and the procurement focus of ISM®, giving students a broad-based perspective that encompasses all of the supply chain disciplines rather than targeting a single area. While the program will provide a solid foundation for professionals who plan to undertake a certification exam, it is imperative that you review the study materials issued by the certifying body, as the terminology and framework may vary from one organization to the next.
Refer to the APICS and ISM websites for details on their respective certifications.
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Will I be prepared to sit for industry certification exams after completing USF’s Internet Marketing program?
The program’s second course, Search Engine Marketing & Usability, will review virtually everything you need to know to pass the Google Advertising Professional exam and earn certification as a Qualified Individual. The third course, Advanced Interactive Marketing & Measurement, covers the component parts of the Web Analytics Association (WAA) certification test. Additional details and study materials are available on the certification pages of the Google AdWords and WAA websites.
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Do USF’s Internet Marketing courses count toward the IAB Certificate in Interactive Marketing?
Completion of all three courses in the Master Certificate in Internet Marketing program counts 24 hours toward the 40 hours of training required for the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s IAB Certificate in Interactive Advertising.
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What are the minimum system requirements?
Click here for more information.
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