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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an advanced professional certificate?

An advanced professional certificate is a comprehensive professional development series that covers today’s in-demand business topics. Each University of San Francisco advanced professional 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 Advanced Professional Supply Chain Management Certificate program teaches participants how to transform the supply chain into a strategic advantage. The Advanced Professional Sales and Sales Management Certificate program helps sales professionals acquire an arsenal of advanced sales tactics and critical management skills, enabling them to achieve new heights of success. The Advanced Professional Internet Marketing Certificate gives marketers practical tools and techniques that empower them to maximize every interactive marketing dollar and lead successful integrated online campaigns. The Advanced Professional Business Process Management Certificate 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 advanced professional certificates are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of a given body of knowledge, advanced specialized certificates provide an intensive exploration of a specific topic, tool or methodology within that body of knowledge. 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 advanced professional certificate. The University of San Francisco currently offers advanced specialized certificates in Internet Marketing. These include: Internet marketing, Advanced Digital 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 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 an Advanced Professional Sustainable Supply Chain Management Certificate, Advanced Professional Supply Chain Management Certificate, an Advanced Professional Sales and Sales Management Certificate, an Advanced Professional Internet Marketing Certificate, or an Advanced Professional Business Process Management Certificate.

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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 certificate program?

The online instructor support format is an excellent way to meet, collaborate and network with professionals from across the nation and around the world. Online instructor support offers extended interaction with instructors and classmates through virtual office hours, instructor-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 certificate 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 certificate 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. An advanced professional certificate or advanced specialized certificate from a 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 an advanced professional certificate or advanced specialized certificate?

Students will earn 4.5 continuing education units (CEUs) upon completion of each University of San Francisco online course.

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Can I earn college credit for completing an advanced professional certificate?

Some of the University of San Francisco’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 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 University of San Francisco 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, Advanced Interactive Marketing and Measurement, Applied Business Process Management, Advanced Business Process Management Methodology and Business Process Management Design and Implementation.

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What is ACE? How does ACE benefit students in the University of San Francisco’s online certificate programs?

The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for the University of San Francisco's online 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 the University of San Francisco's online certificate programs include:

  1. ACE CREDIT recommendations allow many students to use corporate tuition assistance programs to pay for these programs.
  2. 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?

The University of San Francisco does not accept ACE credits because there are currently no existing classes in the University of San Francisco’s degree curricula that precisely match these professional development programs. To access a complete list of participating institutions in the ACE CREDIT College and University Network click here.

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What should I do to obtain ACE credits for my University of San Francisco online certificate courses?

Students wishing to earn ACE credits are required to do the following:

  1. Pay an administrative fee of $100 per course.
  2. Request, complete and return a proctored exam selection form.
  3. 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 Management.

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Who is the University of San Francisco?

Founded in 1855, the University of San Francisco was the City of San Francisco’s first institution of higher education. The University of San Francisco is 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.

USF's School of Management — which includes the Masagung Graduate School of Management and the McLaren School of Management — prepares men and women for leadership positions in the public and private sectors.

The University of San Francisco 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 among 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 Management 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 the university accreditation in 1950. Regional accreditation represents the highest standard available among U.S. accrediting bodies.

The McLaren School of Management 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 certificate program?

You can register anytime and begin the certificate 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 the University of San Francisco's Supply Chain Management certificate program?

The University of San Francisco’s Advanced Professional Supply Chain Management Certificate is designed to help you learn 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 skill sets rather than targeting a single area. While the certificate 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 the University of San Francisco's Internet Marketing certificate program?

The program's second course, Search Engine Marketing & Usability, will review virtually everything you need to know to pass the Google AdWords exam and earn certification as a Qualified Individual. The third course, Advanced Interactive Marketing & Measurement, covers the component parts of the Digital Analytics Association (DAA) certification test. Additional details and study materials are available on the certification pages of the Google AdWords and DAA websites.

As part of the University of San Francisco’s efforts to provide the latest in Internet marketing training, they have partnered with Google® and Adobe® to offer 12 months of complimentary access to the Google AdWords Certification Program study guide and the Adobe ACE: SiteCatalyst User Training course to all Internet marketing students. These help prepare students to pass the exams required by Google and Adobe to become Individually Qualified in Google AdWords and earn the ACE: SiteCatalyst credential respectively.

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Where can I find state-specific agency information to send student complaints/concerns?

State agency contact information for student complaints/concerns: Click here to see a list of state agency contact information sorted by geographic location.

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What are the minimum system requirements?

Click here for more information.

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Why has the University of San Francisco’s Master Certificate Name Changed?

The University of San Francisco has recently undergone changes that include the launch of a new logo and a tagline designed to reposition and carry the university forward into an increasingly interconnected world. As an extension of USF’s forward thinking culture, the Master Certificate names will change to better reflect and reposition the profession-focused, skills-based credentials that the online certificate programs provide to students. Beginning April 2012, the University of San Francisco Master Certificates will be renamed Advanced Professional Certificates.

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I am a past student with a Master Certificate; will the certificate name change affect my Master Certificate?

No.  If you enrolled in a University of San Francisco online certificate course before April 1, 2012, your certificates will still reflect the original master certificate series name and your certificate will continue to be recognized by University of San Francisco’s School of Management. Students who complete their training under the master certificate name will have this credential recognized/recorded and their transcripts will continue to reflect the master certificate nomenclature.

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Can I have my Master Certificates reprinted to reflect the new certificate name Advanced Professional Certificate?

Upon request, University Alliance will reprint and reship previously issued certificates to students that enrolled in courses before April 1, 2012 with the NEW Advanced Professional certificate nomenclature.  Frames will not be reshipped; only the certificate paper will be shipped to replace the old certificate print out.  Direct requests for certificate reprints to CustomerService@UniversityAlliance.com.

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I enrolled in my first University of San Francisco online certificate course before April 1, 2012, what type of certificate will I receive?

All students who enroll in one or more of the University of San Francisco online certificate courses in the master certificate series before April 1, 2012  will receive a certificate of completion with the original Master Certificate series names: Master Certificate in Supply Chain Management, Master Certificate in Sustainable Supply Chain Management , Master Certificate in Sales and Sales Management, Master Certificate in Business Process Management, or Master Certificate in Internet Marketing. Individual course names are not affected.

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I enrolled in my first University of San Francisco online certificate course after March 31, 2012, what type of certificate will I receive?

All new students who enroll in one or more of the University of San Francisco online certificate courses after March 31, 2012 will receive a certificate of completion with the new certificate series names: Advanced Professional Supply Chain Management Certificate, Advanced Professional Sustainable Supply Chain Management Certificate , Advanced Professional Sales and Sales Management Certificate, Advanced Professional Business Process Management Certificate, or Advanced Professional Internet Marketing Certificate. Individual course names are not affected.

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Is there a difference in course content between the Master Certificate and Advanced Professional Certificate?

No, the certificate name is the only thing that has changed. All course material and content is the same.  The name has changed to better reflect the skills-based credentials that the online certificate programs provide to students.  If you enrolled in a University of San Francisco online certificate course in the master certificate series before April 1, 2012, your Master Certificate will continue to be recognized by the University of San Francisco’s School of Management.

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I have a disability; how do I request special accommodations?

If you have a disability that requires a special accommodation in order to participate in an online course, you must identify yourself as a person with a disability and request an accommodation from the University. Please contact an enrollment representative to initiate the identification process. Your enrollment representative will provide further details about the process for receiving special accommodations from the University.

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