Modeled after programs offered by Rutgers, Harvard, and UCLA, a "mini-MBA Certificate Program" is being offered in East Tennessee by Tusculum College.

Tusculum College is the first college in the region to offer such a program, said Marisa Galick, director of the Professional Development Institute at Tusculum College and herself the holder of an MBA degree.

"Today's leader must possess quantitative abilities with increasing emphasis on strong leadership and communication skills to compete in an increasing global environment. The mini-MBA will give participants the 'need to know' skills for today's business world," Galick said.

Through interactive class sessions, case study analysis, lecture and problem-solving exercises, participants will take part in a program aimed at helping them obtain knowledge to meet challenges and seize opportunities, Galick said.

"This is a great program for the new or aspiring manager who has had no formal executive training," she said. "Typical MBA programs require a large investment in time and money, making this an ideal alternative for the busy executive. This program can not only give you the practical skills an MBA learns, but also help you decide if an MBA degree is right for you."

Galick described the mini-MBA as "designed for the experienced manager who needs to develop or enhance his or her knowledge base, or who needs to acquire skills in a variety of fields of management. By its design, the mini-MBA is a general management program. Whether you are currently a specialist or a generalist, you can benefit from our certificate program and our outstanding faculty."

There are 10 topical sessions in the mini-MBA Certificate Program. Each session is 4 hours. Classes are held at various locations in East Tennessee including Tusculum's Knoxville, Tri-Cities, and Morristown campuses. Current locations and dates may be learned through the Tusculum College Web or by calling the Professional Development Institute (PDI). Classes will be held one day per week beginning with breakfast at 8:30 AM, class from 9-12 PM, and lunch from 12-1 PM with class discussions continuing through lunch.

Class size will be limited to fewer than 30 participants to allow for maximum learning benefit. A total of 4.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be awarded upon completion of all ten sessions.

For admission to the mini-MBA Certificate Program, a baccalaureate degree is required, although exceptions will be made to those who have ample managerial experience. All courses are taught at the graduate level.

"At a cost of $1,950 per person, this program is a deal," said Gailick. "The course fee includes all course materials, continental breakfast and lunch each class session, and continuing education units. Upon completion of all 10 sessions, participants will receive a Program Certificate.

"The thing I am most excited about is that we will be offering a scholarship to each mini-MBA Certificate Program to a nonprofit executive. Having a background in nonprofit management, I feel it is important to give something back and help nonprofit organizations become even stronger on the business management side," said Galick.

Scholarship Applications are available by contacting the Professional Development Institute (PDI) office.

Traditional MBA programs require at least a one-year commitment and $20,000 to $50,000 in expenses. The mini-MBA touches on the same key concepts in 12 four hour sessions for under $2,600. It provides a taste of what knowledge can be gained from a MBA degree and will help the participant make the decision of whether or not to pursue the degree based program, Galick said.

The Professional Development Institute provides additional educational services to the business community, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions through specialized workshops, courses, consulting, and customized educational services to businesses, educational professionals, and non-profit organizations. The Institute, headquartered at the college's Knoxville Regional Center at the intersection of Lovell Road and Pellissippi Parkway, is an extension of the Graduate and Professional Studies program.

More information about the mini-MBA Certificate Program, along with a brochure and registration materials, may be obtained through the Web at http://www.tusculum.edu/pdi or by calling the Institute at (865) 693-1177. Space is limited.