Want an Encore Career Education? Tap Your iPad by Kerry Hannon

Photo: Kerry Hannon

Kerry Hannon writes, "Whether you’re looking to change careers or have lost your job, adding new skills is often a key to making a transition. But heading back for a master’s degree is not really what most of us need at this stage in our boomerlicious lives. It’s too expensive and time-consuming."

There are, however, some great certificate programs that now that fit the bill. In recent years, they’ve been rolling out at community colleges and universities across the country, including American University in Washington, DC and New York University.

The programs aren’t necessarily cheap, but when compared to an MBA, they sure are. You can nab a certificate in art appraisal, bookkeeping, eco-landscaping, fundraising and restaurant operations, to name a handful. At the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies, for example, a Financial Planning Professional Certificate costs $10,400 for the full program of ten courses.

Online education at your fingertips.
This week, a new cat (or should I say, bear) arrived on the scene carrying the stamp of approval from powerhouse UCLA. And no, you don’t have to go to California to pick up your schoolbooks.

Empowered UCLA Extension: Work for Your Dream



Empowered UCLA Extension is an online Internet-education firm that will offer fast-track certificate programs for older adults, Empowered co-founder and CEO Steve Poizner explained to me in a recent interview. These 25-person classrooms are all taught right on your iPad screen via a special app that serves up audio, face-time video, discussion boards, and more.

Tuition is $12,800 for a 12-month certificate program, but plans call for about 20 percent of all seats will be available for full or partial scholarships.

The online classes will begin on September 24 in 10 certificate programs, including Global Sustainability, Health Care Management, Nonprofit Management, IT Management, Patient Advocacy, College Counseling, Project Management, Financial Planning, Human Resources and Marketing & New Media.
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Source: Forbes and Empowered