Family Financial Planning

Tremendous change in the financial services industry provides opportunity for an exciting, dynamic career. Financial service providers from insurance companies to banks to investment firms are extending their services to provide comprehensive financial assistance.

An advanced degree or certificate in financial planning is ideal for a variety of financially-related fields:

• Insurance
• Real Estate
• Investment
• Retirement
• Tax
• Estate Planning
• Community Education

Gerontology

We live in a aging society, one in which the older population is growing both in absolute numbers and in proportion to all other age groups. Businesses, government agencies, service organizations, educational institutions and self-employed professionals from every economic sector are recognizing the need for specialized knowledge and skills to meet the needs of this changing demographic.

An advanced degree in Gerontology can benefit the professional in:

• social work
• nursing
• counseling
• recreation
• public policy
• long-term care administration
• medicine
• architecture
• interior design
• adult education
• rehabilitation therapy
• human/family services

Some Gerontologists work directly with older persons in a wide variety of programs and services in the community. Other work on behalf of older persons in areas such as advocacy and teaching about aging.

Food Safety and Defense

Four universities have joined together to offer an online graduate certificate in food safety and defense. The core course include: A Multidisciplinary Overview of Food Safety and Security, Microbiology of Food, Food Toxicants, and Principles of HACCP.

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Food Safety and Defense the student will be able to demonstrate:

• Understanding of the muti-faceted areas that are affected by food safety and defense issues and events.
• Ability to apply the scientific principles of microbial and chemical risks as they relate to food safety and defense issues in real world situations.
• Ability to apply the concepts of HACCP programs, as well as other safety and defense programs, in the food continuum and their critical role in food safety and defense.
• Evidence that they can advance the knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of food safety and defense issues in the food industry.

Youth Development

This program is the only online degree which focuses solely on youth development. Students will become immersed in a strengths-based curriculum, an approach which is in high demand nationwide, and learn a methodology which supports youth, enabling them to become socially, emotionally, and cognitively competent adults.
A master's degree or certification in Youth Development prepares students for a career in organizations such as 4-H and Boys and Girls Clubs of America, non-profits, faith-based groups, community recreation, juvenile justice facilities, middle and high school programs, extension services, and military youth programs.
With this degree you will be able to:

• Develop policies with a positive effect.
• Understand normative pathways to development.
• Work with agencies, boards, families, and other professionals.
• Gain the necessary skills for budgeting, grant writing, and fund-raising.
• Examine the impact of local, state, federal, and global policies on youth.
• Identify how youth and family cultural issues affect positive youth outcomes.