Business Programs
Advance Your Career with Professional and Continuing Education from USD
Change is the only constant in today’s business climate. The University of San Diego’s Professional and Continuing Education business certificate programs provide you with the insight and tools needed to sustain an edge in this highly competitive industry. Through our
PCE’s Business Programs offer certificate programs, stand-alone courses, and workshops that will to enhance student’s professional development and help them become leaders in their chosen career.
Who Should Attend?
The business certificate programs are well suited for anyone who wishes to pursue a business career, including recent graduates, new and seasoned professionals, or even those looking to make a career change. Professionals seeking to up their skills in the areas of project management, digital marketing, leadership, nonprofit management, and commercial real estate begin this coursework to advance their careers and make new network contacts.
Benefits of USD's Business Programs
Some of the benefits students can expect from our many online business programs include:
- Document your academic achievement in an area of specialized expertise to assist you in advancing your career and possibly moving up the salary schedule.
- Complete your certificate within 10 months, less time than it typically takes to earn a graduate degree.
- Develop and update your professional skills and knowledge to make you more effective in your field with in-depth learning.
- Continue your education at a nationally ranked university with a cutting-edge curriculum and proven programs.
- Learn from expert faculty members who are also experienced practitioners.
- Benefit from small class sizes that offer personalized and superior support to enhance learning.
- Sign up for convenient and flexible program schedules, with no application requirement.
Prepare for Any Business Career
Students have many different motivations for enrolling in our professional development programs and courses — some are hoping for a salary increase, are in the midst of a career change or are seeking a promotion. While a USD business certificate can help you achieve all those goals and more, what differentiates our program is that we prepare students with the skills needed to respond to the ever-changing business career landscape.
The strategies, methodologies, and tools taught in our business programs are designed to help students keep up with the demands of their current career and prepare them for whatever comes next. To do that, USD continuing education business programs continually evolve to better serve working professionals and help them achieve their highest potential.
Experienced Faculty Instructors
Julie Ducharme: Dr. Julie Ducharme is a sought-after keynote speaker, author, business consultant, entrepreneur, instructor, and a special consultant in women's empowerment. Dr. Ducharme is the creator, founder, and CEO of Julie’s Party People, JD Consulting, and Synergy Learning Institute, a technical vocational college. Dr. Ducharme travels the world speaking to organizations, colleges, and groups on leadership, marketing, empowerment, and business, and has been a consultant, instructor and serial business entrepreneur for the last 17 years.
Maresa Friedman: Maresa Friedman is CEO of The Executive Cat Herder, which has partnered with organizations like the NFL and Tory Burch to create impactful marketing strategies. Maresa has also been a brand narrative strategist and speaker to organizations like Google, Microsoft, and Wix.com. As a TEDx Speaker, she has been recognized as the top 1% of Social Sellers on LinkedIn. Maresa's goal is simple — to inspire action, create conversation, and leave audiences with the desire to take the next step.
Leslie Henessey: Leslie Hennessy, PhD in Leadership Studies with an emphasis in nonprofit leadership, has served on various nonprofit boards. She has over 25 years as a senior executive of a for-profit company that produces and sells products globally. Outside of the classroom, Leslie dedicates her time to Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit that provides assistance dogs to individuals with disabilities. Leslie serves on the Canine Companions national board and is also a 13-time puppy raiser.
Stath Karras: Stath Karras is the Executive Director of the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate (BMC) at the University of San Diego. Prior to this position, Stath served as the Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield, where he was involved in executive management, business development, receiverships, and operations throughout the Southern California region.
Lorri Sulpizio: Dr. Lorri Sulpizio is the Director of the Conscious Leadership Academy at the University of San Diego, and the founder of the Center for Women’s Leadership at USD. Dr. Sulpizio is a certified leadership coach and a certified practitioner in the Leadership Circle Profile, the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, DiSC, and Firo-B, and believes that using data is a useful first step in helping people begin to realize their leadership potential. Dr. Sulpizio has taught both graduate and undergraduate level courses in leadership, including Gender and Leadership, Women and Leadership, Integral Leadership, and Contemporary Issues in Leadership. She has worked with a variety of companies and has done presentations and consulting projects for Qualcomm, Rady’s Children’s Hospital, Torrey Pines Bank, SDSU, UCSD, and several San Diego Schools.
Testimonials
“This course enabled me to further understand the different lender types and the profiles they most likely lend to. It helped me advance in my career by expanding my real estate knowledge to the financial side.” – Colby Matzke, CBRE
“There is so much useful information, regardless of your current career path or if you are debating on making a change. The information presented is very clear and concise.” – Bridgette Loya, Sunwest Bank
“This course helped me realize certain things I had not known as a marketer for 15 years, especially about branding and the things that go into creating a strong brand. I feel a lot more confident in talking about branding and website creation.” – Pelle Atterholm, SDCR Business Systems
“The instructor was fantastic! Her real-world experience, passion, and professional yet friendly attitude made the learning process exciting and fun. I also enjoyed the in-class exercises as they helped to solidify my understanding of topics instead of just memorizing marketing terms and definitions.” – Dena Read, SRG
Why USD?
Our Business Programs offer students unparalleled opportunities to grow their networks, learn from experienced instructors, and leverage our strategic partnerships with top companies in and around southern California. Our cutting-edge curriculum is taught in convenient and flexible online and in-person formats to enable our students to continue their education while balancing their responsibilities outside of the classroom.
The University of San Diego’s Division of Professional and Continuing Education is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges – Senior College and University Commission (WASC).