Listen Here
By: Erin Moran
Morane@findlay.edu
The University of Findlay has announced a graduate certificate expansion, adding new opportunities in accounting, business fundamentals, finance, human resources, operations management, and trauma-informed education.
The additions are part of the university’s effort to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and prepare their students post graduation.
Kirby Overton, dean of the College of Business and Humanities, said the expansion reflects the university’s goal to adapt to the needs of the students.
“One of the university’s pillars focuses on academic offerings and providing additional, flexible pathways for students,” said Overton in an email interview. “These certificates are very in line with the strategic direction of the institution.”
“We’re always looking for ways to increase access and provide different learning opportunities for our current and prospective students,” said Overton. “The needs of students and the needs of the business community are changing, so we have to continue to adjust our offerings.”
She said the certificates have benefits to both current and prospective students as well as working professionals.
“The goal is for these certificates to make our students even more marketable when they are seeking employment,” said Overton. “Then, when they do find employment, the skills they gained from these certificates will help them to make an immediate impact on the organization.”
“We hope that offering these certificates will help to up-skill and provide additional learning opportunities for the community,” said Overton.
Dean of the College of Education at the University of Findlay, Julie McIntosh, said the trauma-informed education certificate was developed because of the feedback from educators, students, and community partners.
“We hear from student teachers and a dean’s advisory board that meets twice a year. We also hear from teachers in the fields, or teachers that are taking our courses,” said McIntosh.
According to McIntosh, educators are voicing their concerns about behaviors and mental health.
“More and more teachers are telling us that they’re struggling with behavior issues in the classroom or the mental health of their students, and they want best practices on how to work with them,” said McIntosh. “So if we can give them some more tools in their toolbox to help them, why not?”
The trauma-informed courses are designed to help teachers deal with students’ behaviors and hopefully decrease the rate of teacher burnout.
“I would hope that this program would help teachers better deal with issues that might frustrate them,” said McIntosh. There are some statistics that say half the teachers leave after five years. And we don’t want that to happen. We are seeing our students at the University of Findlay staying in the field longer. But I think if they have these kinds of tools, they’re not going to burn out as easily or get as frustrated when a child misbehaves.”
The certificate programs are also more accessible and flexible, compared to an undergraduate or graduate degree. While the university’s master’s programs require up to 33 hours of credit, a certificate can be completed with as few as 3 courses.
When asked about the future of certificate programs, McIntosh noted the university’s constant evaluation.
“We’ll continue to look and listen to what’s needed and see if that’s something that we can meet,” said McIntosh. “We really try to listen to the field and see what people are looking for and if it is something that fits our core structure.”
McIntosh says that the university is open to new formats of education, as well.
“The university is also looking at some other models, maybe a workshop or a different way of presenting some professional development, that is not course-related.”
